Masseria Setteporte Etna Rosso
Who makes it? The Setteporte Estate is a family run winery on the southwest side of Sicily’s active volcano, Mount Etna. The family has had a winemaking heritage here in Biancavilla dating back generations. The vineyards sit at an altitude of between 650 – 800 m and...
Burn Cottage Moonlight Race Pinot Noir
Who makes it? Burn Cottage could be considered a Central Otagan Pinot specialist and The Moonlight Race is one of three Pinot Noirs they produce. While their focus is on excellent single vineyard Pinot Noir, Burn Cottage Moonlight Race is a blend of two. It is sourced...
Bardos Romantica Ribera del Duero Crianza
Who makes it? Bardos is one of a large ‘stable’ of Spanish wine labels and estates in Vintae’s collection along with Lopez de Haro. In just over 20 years they have done a great deal to promote Spain’s different wine regions. It is no surprise that one of those regions...
Afternoon tea ideas – which wine to serve for tea?
How to match wine to afternoon tea? If you want to get together with friends for a touch of luxury in the afternoon, a full English style afternoon tea is hard to beat. There are plenty of great afternoon tea ideas to make the occasion even more special.... And a...
Greg & Juju Pinot Noir Grenache Rosé
Who makes it? Greg and Juju are not really grasshoppers who really like rosé. They are kids though. They are part of the Vic family who have been the custodians of Domain Preignes le Vieux since 1905. It is estimated that wine was originally made here before the 9th...
Schnaitmann Simonroth Spätburgunder | Pinot Noir
Who makes it? Schnaitmann Simonroth may be difficult to find outside of Germany but it is well worth picking up if and when you see it. Spätburgunder is, of course, Pinot Noir. While Germany was once synonymous with Riesling, it is perhaps less known that Germany is...
Rag & Bone Riesling
Who makes it? Rag & Bone Riesling is produced by the Smalltown Vineyards (ex-Magpie Estate) which is a collaborative partnership between Rolf Binder and UK wine retailer, Noel Young. Rolf and his sister, Crista Deans, are better known in Australia for the highly...
Vidal Fleury Côtes du Rhône Rosé
Who makes it? This is a spicy rosé from the Côtes du Rhône from Vidal Fleury, a historic Rhone producer. How they make it? True to form, the rosé is a blend of typical red trio of grape varieties of the Southern Rhône – Cinsault, Syrah and Grenache. Each variety has...
Baron M Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence Rosé
I have found myself buying another bottle of Baron Maxime (or Baron M for short) as I walked past it at Costco this week. For the price, I felt it was just rude not to. The Baron Maxime and the Château de Beaupré ranges are part of the group of labels made by Baron...
Lumari Catarratto Insolia
Lumari is produced by the Columba Bianca co-operative which is one of the largest co-operatives in Sicily. Therefore, it is fitting that they use their expertise in the island’s specialty grapes to introduce their particular Sicilian expression to the world. Both of...
Hunter’s MiruMiru NV Sparkling Rosé
MiruMiru is Moari for 'bubbles'! Behind this rather unassuming looking label, the MiruMiru is one of New Zealand’s finest sparkling Rosés made by Jane Hunter. The MiruMiru range delivers exactly what it promises on that label. It literally means ‘bubbles’ in...
Get your nominations in for Women in Wine Awards!
The Australian Women in Wine awards are now taking nominations! This is the sixth year for the awards and I look forward to seeing the nominees and winners every year. Although, it is now from afar. Nominations open 4th August and close on 29th September. There are...
Latest videos:
Winery Spotlight: Rathfinny Wine Estate
Click here to watch this video. or click here to read about Rathfinny Wine Estate
Winemaker Series: Colette Bonnet Champagne
click here to watch video click here to read about Colette Bonnet Champagne
What to drink: Bordeaux wines for Christmas
Please click to watch video Note: First published 24th November, 2018
Winemaker Series: Gavin Monery, Vagabond
Click here to watch video click here to read about Vagabond Winery
Winemaker Series: Henry Connell, The Uncommon
click here to watch video click here to read about The Uncommon Wines and Henry Connell.
Winery Spotlight: Piggs Peake
click here to watch this video click here to read about Piggs Peake
10 wine blends from around the world that should be in your glass NOW!!!
Wine blends made from two or more grape varieties have become a lot more interesting in recent times..... Wines made from a blend of grape varieties have become a lot more interesting in recent times. There are some exciting new styles being developed as well as new...
Gadget review: Kelvin K2 Wine Monitor
There is a new wine gadget on the market vying for your attention.... According to their website, ‘The Kelvin K2 Smart wine thermometer has been designed to demystify the process of enjoying your wine with its best possible flavour.’ It does this by giving you...
English wine cellar doors that need to be on your itinerary!
English wine is now becoming a staple on good wine lists. Thankfully though, the English wine experience does not stop there. The usual tourist haunts outside of the thriving, culturally rich, metropolis of London may include visiting castles, roman ruins, quaint...
Langmeil, the Lindner family preserving Barossa history
Langmeil, one of the gems of the Barrossa Valley.... Australia’s Barossa Valley has a well-deserved reputation for some of the world’s finest wines. Amongst the producers that focus on delivering powerful red wines that tell a story of alcohol and dried fruit, there...
Winery Spotlight: Getting to know Rathfinny Estate
I had no idea what to expect when I visited Rathfinny Wine Estate by chance last Summer. It was a spur of the moment idea. The vineyard I had initially decided to visit had no time slots left and did not accept visitors without bookings. Fair enough. It was a smaller...
Getting to know: IL PALAGIO
Il Palagio estate has been owned by Sting and producer and actor, Trudie Styler after finding it in a state of decline in 1999. Not only is this is their summer home, it is a productive farm estate that produces not only this wine but also olive oil, honey...
Women in Wine:
Hunter’s MiruMiru NV Sparkling Rosé
MiruMiru is Moari for 'bubbles'! Behind this rather unassuming looking label, the MiruMiru is one of New Zealand’s finest sparkling Rosés made by Jane Hunter. The MiruMiru range delivers exactly what it promises on that label. It literally means ‘bubbles’ in...
Get your nominations in for Women in Wine Awards!
The Australian Women in Wine awards are now taking nominations! This is the sixth year for the awards and I look forward to seeing the nominees and winners every year. Although, it is now from afar. Nominations open 4th August and close on 29th September. There are...
Jane Eyre Wines Chenas
Jane Eyre is one of the Australian winemakers who makes a range of wines that cross international borders. She now makes wines in Burgundy after vintages making wine at Cullen in Margaret River, Felton Road, Central Otago and Ata Rangi in Martinborough. This Jane Eyre...