Top 5 Wine Bars in the Sunshine State

Wine lovers, this one’s for you! The judging team behind Young Gun of Wine, who know their stuff when it comes to, well wine, have turned their attention to the best wine bars across the country after finishing their search for this year’s best young winemakers. Here are the top five in Queensland. Try them…

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Who’d Have Thought It? Penfolds Pursues Baijiu and Champagne

Penfolds’ new project? It has, as Creedence Clearwater Revival might have said, been “born with the baijiu.” Words by Drinks Writer, Ken Gargett The world’s largest selling category of spirits? Baijiu. But you knew that. What you might not have known is that Penfolds has established a new division, which will be responsible for ‘Special…

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Three Guys & An Ex-PM: Creating A Beer Brand With Bob Hawke

Picture this, you’re in the home of one of the greatest PMs Australia has ever seen, with only 20 minutes to gain his stamp of approval to create a beer company in his name. What do you say? What do you wear? What do you bring? These were just some of the nerve-tingling questions that…

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5 Autumn Cocktails Perfect for Entertaining

Entertain your guests this season with these five deliciously warming and visually stunning cocktails. Smoky Tea Old Fashioned Glass: Old Fashioned Ingredients: 45ml Lagavulin 16 Year Old Scotch Whisky 15ml Heering Cherry liqueur 30ml Lapsang souchong tea 1 x Dash Aromatic bitters 1 x Sugar cube Method: Place sugar cube and bitters in the bottom…

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Live and Let Die, but First – Champagne

James Bond may never have set foot in Australia (something that surely the producers must rectify soon), but his favourite Champagne, Bollinger, is very popular down under. In fact, Australia is the second biggest export market for this house, behind the United Kingdom. By Drinks Writer, Ken Gargett These days, Bollinger is indeed Bond’s preferred…

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Somm Stories: Meet Samantha Payne

Like the majority of us, Samantha Payne seriously loves wine. Although, unlike most, she’s taken this love and turned it into a successful career spanning over a decade. The sommelier, wine consultant and communicator has held the position of head sommelier at some of Sydney’s best restaurants, including Manly Pavilion, 4Fourteen and China Lane, and…

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Inside Marrickville’s New Brewery, Bar and Tasting Room

Stockade Brew Co.’s new brewery, bar and tasting room in Marrickville, Sydney is the latest hot spot for award-winning, indie craft beers, hearty food and educational master classes and tours. If you haven’t had a chance to visit, here’s your first look inside. Behind the business is a young team of four that has been…

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The In-Cider Scoop with Melissa Fettke

Tassie based cidermaker Melissa Fettke didn’t always know she’d end up on the Apple Isle. In fact, it was winemaking that first caught her eye. But not one to say no to a new challenge, Melissa ended up changing her career to brewing and, eventually cider making. She’s passionate about apples and will tell you that…

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What a Senseless Waste of Great Wine Part II

As our esteemed readers have no doubt twigged by now, the basic concept behind these columns is that we pick a topic, whether it be serious, irreverent, educational or simply unchartered waters and come up with five items to fit. Words by Drinks Writer, Ken Gargett Now, if we were writing about say, ‘Margaret River…

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Win Your Own 20-Litre Barrel of Whisky

Always dreamt of having your own barrel of whisky? Well, now that dream could be a reality. Archie Rose Distilling Co. is giving away the opportunity for two people to win a tailored 20-litre cask of single malt whisky, valued at $6,500. That’s basically a year’s supply! Using Archie Rose’s very own Six Malt New…

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Lonely Planet Has Just Revealed the Top Coffee Shops in Australia

Want to get a sneak peek into the best city spots for an unbeatable caffeine fix? Everyone’s must-have little blue travel guide, Lonely Planet, has just released its Global Coffee Tour book ($29.99), which includes all of the top coffee shops and roasteries in our little corner of the world. Find out where and what…

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6 Insta-Worthy Gin Distilleries and Bars

Saturday 9 June is World Gin Day and Australia is the place to be! If you need some new ideas on where to celebrate, then look no further. Here’s a list of six distilleries that are bound to be an excellent spot to spend this drinks-based day of fun. Words by Jen Schneider ARCHIE ROSE DISTILLERY…

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