Patritti’s April Red

The idea of blending red and white grapes has been with us for many years. The most obvious example is with the great wines of Champagne where Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and Meunier (the latter two, red grapes) are regularly mixed, to varying degrees. Those wines are, aside from the Rosés, white.  We also have…

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A Frog you might like…

Most wine drinkers will be familiar with those cheeky French wines, the Arrogant Frog series. Delicious wines, a bit a fun, great value.  I remember an invitation to meet with winemaker, Jean-Claude Mas, born and bred in the Languedoc, some years ago. In truth, I was expecting to dislike the bloke – Arrogant Frog indeed! Turns…

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Louis Roederer Cristal 2012 is 100% Biodynamic

One of the most anticipated wines of the year is finally with us – Louis Roederer’s flagship champagne, ‘Cristal’ from the fabled 2012 vintage ($400). This is special for a number of reasons.  It is the first Cristal to be 100% biodynamic. Always seems a little bizarre that the man behind this style of viticulture was…

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We’ve explored Pol Roger 2012 and we like it

Pol Roger has longer been one of this country’s favourite Champagne Houses, always outperforming for its size. Long associated with the great British leader, Sir Winston Churchill, Pol even named their flagship Champagne after him. As yet, their 2012 Sir Winston has not hit the shelves (2009 is current), but the rest of their fantastic…

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explore Monkey 47 Gin

Once upon a time, a cricket-loving Wing Commander from the RAF, who grew up in the magical city of Madras and moved to Germany after the War, met a monkey called Max at the Berlin Zoo. He decided (unsuccessfully) to become a watchmaker and finally disappeared into the Black Forest to make gin. It is…

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Henschke Hill of Grace 2015

Not even isolation and pandemics could prevent the annual release Australia’s most famous single vineyard wine, Henschke’s Hill of Grace

Welcome to the land of fizz FELLR

If you’re looking for a bevvy low in sugar, low cal and full of flavour, then FELLR is the choice for you. Created out of the garage on Sydney’s beaches, seasoned drink marketers Andy Skora and Will Morgan created an Alcoholic Seltzer that’s all-natural. Kicking off the launch is Lime & Soda and Dry &…

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Glenmorangie launch three whiskies for travel retail

BRENDAN MCCARRON doesn’t take long to cut to the chase. He’s in Australia a week after Dramfest in Christchurch, NZ and has something he wants us to hear. In front of him are three whiskies only a few locally have set eyes on: The Accord 12-Year-Old ($103), The Elementa 14YO ($120) and The Tribute 16YO…

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Frankland Estate wines you need to explore in Iso

As far as our imposed isolation goes, one has to think that the Frankland Estate winery in southern West Australia is in pole position. There are very few wineries so isolated. Frankland Estate is, not surprisingly, located in the Frankland River region (on Frankland Road), which is almost literally in the middle of nowhere, some…

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This week we’ve explored Château Thivin wines that you need to try

This is Beaujolais but not as you know it. No flower-adorned labels or promotion by races. Not your six-week-old Nouveau. This is serious wine, yet it has retained the wonderful exuberance which is the hallmark of fine Beaujolais.  Château Thivin is a Côte de Brouilly specialist and when combined with a stellar vintage like 2018,…

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Four twists on the Margarita cocktail you need to try

Friday afternoon drinks calls for a Tequila cocktail, and we can never go past Casamigos. The award-winning, ultra-premium tequila founded by George Clooney, Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman, was created by following their thirst to enjoy the smoothest, best-tasting premium tequila. Instead of mixing up the traditional Margarita cocktail, the following recipes are a twist…

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Become a wine buff in Iso

Across the month of May, Young Gun of Wine (YGOW) will host a series of online events to replace its annual Top 50 tasting events. YGOW will host the virtual tastings with the top 50 winemakers of 2020 along with other experts in the field. Most of the events will run for about an hour…

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