Australian Winery Penfolds Launch its own Champagne

WORDS KEN GARGETT There was a minor earthquake in the Champagne region this month and the aftershock could be felt all the way to Australia. Penfolds had been rumoured (well, it was a rumour they started last year, but they would not tell us any details) to be involved with a Champagne. Turned out to…

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You’ve Got To Try The Bloody Shiraz Gin

Back by popular demand, Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin will be available June 1. The sell out gin is traditionally a blend of Yarra Valley Shiraz grapes and Rare Dry Gin, however this year some grapes were selected from other Southen Victorian regions. Like the 2018 vintage, the 2019 vintage followed the same principles, harvesting…

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Top Five You Need to Try – Chateau la Nerthe

WORDS KEN GARGETT Fans of fine Rhone wines will be delighted to learn that the highly respected Chateauneuf producer, Chateau Le Nerthe, has returned to our shores after several years absence. Commercial director, Christophe Bristiel, who took over the role from his father a decade ago, was in town to show that the wines have…

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Sullivans Cove Celebrates 25th Anniversary this Year

WORDS KEN GARGETT The always impressive Tasmanian whisky distillery, Sullivans Cove, is celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. As one of the leaders of an industry that was initially looked on as a curio at best, and folly by many, it is a great achievement. Sullivans Cove, on the Derwent River in Tasmania (if there…

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Champagne Lanson – Our Top 5 You Should Try

WORDS KEN GARGETT If ever a champagne house has gone from the penthouse to the proverbial outhouse, it was the once noble house of Lanson. And now, as a former Prime Minister might say, it appears that they have done a ‘Lazarus with a triple bypass’, slowly but surely working their way back to the…

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Explore Buffalo Trace Antique Collection

WORDS KEN GARGETT The roadshow for fabulous Buffalo Trace Antique Collection is doing the rounds – a collection of whiskies of age and complexity. While not open to the public, take heart that your favourite bartenders are there on your behalf. You will reap the benefits in the future. Over the years, I have been to more tastings…

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Enjoy A Day Hosted by Giammarino Wines

Giammarino Wines is a family run vineyard and they are opening their doors this June to celebrate their Winter Open Day. Based in St Andrews in the western hills of the Yarra Valley, the two-day festival will run from the 15th – 16th June. Behind the bar opening outstanding wines across their range will be…

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Five Schild Estate Reds You Need to Try

WORDS KEN GARGETT Schild Estate make a wide range of wines, mostly reds, and some are very limited. Here are five that should appeal and will hopefully be wines you can track down. They offer a great combination of flavour and value. Schild Estate ‘Edgar Schild’ Reserve Grenache 2017 ($36) From old bush vines, this is a…

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A Very Solid Performer – The Sydney Reserve

Many (far too many) years ago, I stumbled on a few bottles of the 1978 Leconfield Coonawarra Cabernet in a dusty corner of a bottleshop. It was quite a famous wine back then and offered for silly money (silly in the sense of being criminally cheap), so needless to say, I grabbed them. They are…

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Michter’s – Two Cracking American Whiskies

WORDS KEN GARGETT As the excitement mounts for the forthcoming explore WHISKY release, some of us have been working hard, exploring the world of whiskies and bourbon from around the world (although the bourbons, of course, should really be regionally restricted to the USA). Needless to say, many exciting gems are emerging. Today, Michter’s. I’d…

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Drink For A Good Cause During Negroni Week

Mark your calendar as Negroni Week is set to kick off from the Monday 24 June to Sunday 30. During Negroni Week Rockpool Dining Group’s Melbourne restaurants are taking the classic cocktail to the next level. Bar & Grill, Rosetta Ristorante, Spice Temple and Saké Restaurant & Bar will offer a menu featuring their own…

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The Joy of Wine

WORDS KEN GARGETT Among the many joys wine offers is its infinite capacity to surprise. Usually, open a bottle and you know what to expect. We know what it is, what we paid, whether it should be spectacular or just a decent drink. But sometimes… Of course, the reverse happens as well. That particular bottle…

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Four Pillars Go the Whole Hog

If you’re a gin fan, you’re going to love what the team at Four Pillars Gin are cooking up. Joining the Australian craft distillery is Melbourne chef and all-round top bloke, Matt Wilkinson. Matt will be responsible for developing and overseeing all of Four Pillars’ Made from Gin products. He will be creating a menu…

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