Image designed by Freepik As restrictions ease in Victoria, cellar doors have been given the green light to open albeit under slightly different circumstances. With that in mind, I headed to the Yarra Valley to see how different things are, if at all. First stop was Giant Steps winery in the new pop-up cellar doorContinue reading “Yarra Valley cellar doors – what’s changed?”
Tag Archives: Pinot Noir
Wine for Normal People: Martinborough, NZ and the Glory of Wellington Wine Country
Photo: Winery wall at Ata Rangi. In this episode, Elizabeth and I get together to talk about Martinborough and the Wellington Wine Country – a “tiny but mighty region”! We talk about the fabulous Pinot Noir being made in the region as well as some of the white wines you should also take a lookContinue reading “Wine for Normal People: Martinborough, NZ and the Glory of Wellington Wine Country”
Gourmet Traveller WINE: New Zealand Pinot Noir and Syrah
Gourmet Traveller WINE cover image: David Reist I’m very excited to have two articles in the latest edition of Gourmet Traveller WINE covering one of my favourite topics – New Zealand! Pinot Central takes a look at the latest news from Central Otago, while Syrah Sweet Spot focusses on just how good New Zealand SyrahContinue reading “Gourmet Traveller WINE: New Zealand Pinot Noir and Syrah”
Mornington Peninsula: Paradigm Hill
Winemaking on the Mornington Peninsula dates back to the late nineteenth century, however today’s cellar doors are populated by members of the modern chapter in this region’s history. The early 1970s saw a revival in interest around viticulture and winemaking due in part to the potential offered by the maritime climate for producing quality wines.Continue reading “Mornington Peninsula: Paradigm Hill”
Wine for Normal People: North Canterbury
Lunch at Black Estate, Waipara, North Canterbury. © Simone Madden-Grey For this episode of Wine For Normal People, Elizabeth and I talk about my recent trip to North Canterbury. A short drive north of Christchurch, North Canterbury has something for everyone – fabulous wine, delicious local food including truffles, olives and honey, craft beer, bikeContinue reading “Wine for Normal People: North Canterbury”
Mornington Peninsula: Main Ridge Estate
The view from the Main Ridge Estate cellar door verandah. Drive down the dusty, winding William Road of Red Hill and you will be faced with a dilemma – turn left for Red Hill Cheese or right for one of Mornington Peninsula’s icons, Main Ridge Estate. It’s a tough one, particularly in our household asContinue reading “Mornington Peninsula: Main Ridge Estate”
Wine for Normal People: Central Otago
Rippon Vineyard in Autumn. Image credit: Thirst Press. In this episode of Wine for Normal People I catch up with Elizabeth to chat about Central Otago – an area my family has spent many years in. Although Central Otago accounted for only 2% of total production in New Zealand for 2016, the wine from this regionContinue reading “Wine for Normal People: Central Otago”
Spirito di Vino: Giant Steps, Yarra Valley
Written for Spirito di Vino Asia Issue #24. Image: Redfish Bluefish Photographic. Driving into Healesville, the town around which Australia’s Yarra Valley is centred, I am due for an early morning meeting with Steve Flamsteed, before his day starts to fill up with the duties of Head Winemaker and now part owner of Giant Steps.Continue reading “Spirito di Vino: Giant Steps, Yarra Valley”
Mammoths – who doesn’t love them?
Image credit: Mahana Estates “I want drinkers and winemakers to be shaken up, there are so many pathways that are undiscovered”. Michael Glover is taking us through a tasting of his latest releases from Mahana Estates and Mammoth Wines in Nelson, New Zealand. Here is a man who after years in the business is still clearlyContinue reading “Mammoths – who doesn’t love them?”
My inner geek and the Champagne Bureau of Australia
Image credit: Michel Guillard – Collection CIVC Since completing my WSET Diploma last year, it is not often I find myself in a room geeking out about structure, blind tasting and blending components. But a few weeks back that is just where I found myself and it was perfect! The Vin de Champagne is aContinue reading “My inner geek and the Champagne Bureau of Australia”
Simone Madden-Grey : Happy Wine Woman 