Thursday was a cold Autumn day in Melbourne. Business as usual, but perfect for what was planned in the evening; showcasing the best Shiraz in Australia at a Rockford Basket Press Dinner. For my own enjoyment, I’ve been collecting Basket Press since at least 2000 vintage. But what do you do with seven or eight … Read more
Do you need a reason to get together with friends and drink old wine from your cellar? No way! But, you have to make it an occasion. Why? Because you’ve bought these wines, and then aged them for many years. You’ve thought about these wines, maybe even bragged about them. Now is the time for … Read more
For those who don’t know, I love Bandol. I have a cat named Tempier, named after the most famous and my favourite Bandol producer. With that in my mind I was up early and ready to go. Before getting to Bandol (it’s a VERY long drive), I had Barolo and Barbaresco to explore. On a … Read more
The time has come for us to part ways like grapes from a vine at harvest time. It is Italy via train for the Jarvies. Lyon and a night at Paul Bocuse for the Northside Crew via Philippe Le Bon et son bus volant. And me? I’m off to Roddi, a small pocket in the … Read more
The whole trip I’d been nudging forward the whites of the region because everyone knows how great the reds are. But subtly I had held back Chablis because I wanted to keep that flint dry (see what I did there?). Today that changes when we visit Chablis. The embargo lifted. We drove to the beautiful … Read more
After a short delay in blogging while sleep took priority I’m back to keep you up to date with the happenings of the wine family. In this episode we wake up to . beautiful day in Burgundy with some lovely sun. Not warm mind you but the sun makes you feel like you are floating above … Read more
Some days you are witness to history, even if you don’t want to. We were there for that Burgundy frost. The sun was shining after yesterdays icy blast and the walk into town was not rained out. There should have been an inkling when we found my favourite petit dejeuner place closed. Not the end … Read more
It is not every day that this cynical wine guy learns something about wine. But today, at Macon, I did. And today I think I found my vinous man crush. Also, they like to use the name Philippe a lot around here. It’s almost as bad as the time I went on the ‘Phil Smith … Read more
Today we started the really real part of the trip; Tasting In Gevrey Chambertin. That meant petit dejeuner. Any breaky that has croissants as lovely as those is OK with me. But we also get coffee (passable), baguette and orange juice. It was delicious and nostalgic as it was the same café that I went … Read more
Captains Log. Day 2. Today the wine family experienced the North part of the Routes de Grand Cru (pronounced Cruss according to Google maps). The funny thing was we were heading to Beaujolais. There was an unfortunate incident, things were said… mostly by me. But it did end up with someone (me) threatening to punch James … Read more
Hello Friends! After quite an enjoyable trek we have arrived safely in Burgundy. The Qantas flight from Melbourne to Singapore was quite exciting with good company keeping me going. 6 hours in Singapore was a bit of a stretch. After that the 13 hours to Zurich with Swiss Air was so comfortable and food so tasty, … Read more
I’m off to Burgundy… WOO! In 2008 I undertook a glorious wine study tour. Mosel, Burgundy, Jura, Alsace, Paris (we drank a lot of wine there) and Champagne. I learnt a lot and I loved every second of it. Except the flying. People with sleeping tablets blocking aisles, first experiences with jet lag and on the … Read more
Quality Sparkling wine can be enjoyed at any time. I think we all deserve a glass of this
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Follow Phil, Charlie and Tempieras they strut the cellar fantastic.
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Every time you taste a wine, it is an event. I would like to think it can be educational too. I hate stuffy wine events, so whether it’s a casual tasting or a Masterclass over dinner, I promise a fun, interactive and informative occasion… with great wine. Please take a peak below or view all our events here.
Sparkling Wine, Champagne, and Seafood Dinner at Dakota 25th March
It has been a long time between shared drinks for a lot of us. I have not hosted a dinner since October 2019. I am keen to get out and share great food and great company. How about you?
Let’s not muck around either! Straight to the top shelf. Champagne, Sparkling wine, and three courses (plus canapes). I’m excited to be teaming up with Dakota for the first time, the menu they have prepared is going to elevate these wines to a new level.
Book your seat here.
Your Own Private or Corporate Event @ Any venue you’re comfortable with. Wine is more than just a thing you drink. You share it with people you care about, and you tell stories about the wines and wine places you’ve been. A well-run wine tasting can be an experience of its own. The love of great wine is a concept that brings people together. Sharing it bonds people. This is an opportunity for you to share a special experience with family, friends, clients, colleagues or anyone you want to share some great wine with. Let’s talk about how to make your event special.
WARNING: | Under the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 it is an offence to supply alcohol to a person under the age of 18 years (Penalty exceeds $7,000). For a person under the age of 18 years to purchase or receive liquor (Penalty exceeds $500).
