Author Archives: Mitch

“Expensive Wine Is For Suckers”….really?

It is the question discussed over many a bottle of wine at a dinner party…usually when an unsuspecting wine lover is at the table opening a favourite (maybe expensive) drop: is expensive wine and the whole “wine thing” all smoke and mirrors? Watch what these guys think: http://www.vox.com/2015/5/20/8625785/expensive-wine-taste-cheap Watch it? Yep? Now let’s put a few thingsContinueContinue reading ““Expensive Wine Is For Suckers”….really?”

Cellar Door Etiquette – Part 2 For Staff

Cellar Door Etiquette: Part 2 For Staff As promised ( a long long time ago), following on from Part 1 which was directed at Cellar door visitors, now it is time for some tips for the hosts, the Cellar Door (Tasting Room) Staff. Many apologies for the delay in publishing and I really have noContinueContinue reading “Cellar Door Etiquette – Part 2 For Staff”

Napa Valley, where to go…

Just last month I had the opportunity to spend time in Northern California, which of course included time in the Napa Valley. As a visitor, this wine region can be daunting. They have over 100 tasting rooms packed into the 60km of the valley itself. Navigation is easy: You will either be on the SilveradoContinueContinue reading “Napa Valley, where to go…”

My Hunter Valley Top 12

Over a glass of wine last night my wife and I started discussing which dozen wines we would put together to showcase the best of the Hunter Valley to somebody who has never tried anything from the area before. Never and easy task and it is limited to wines we are quite familiar with andContinueContinue reading “My Hunter Valley Top 12”

Vintage and harvesting quick FAQs

The 2013 vintage is already in full swing in the Hunter Valley of Australia and the nerves and tension of every winemaker and vineyard manager are palpable. This is the time when you can feel that a random 2 days of bad weather can make or break the whole year’ s work and how theContinueContinue reading “Vintage and harvesting quick FAQs”

Cellar Door Etiquette Short Course- Part 1 For Visitors

PART 1: For Cellar Door Visitors     Winery Cellar Doors can be one of the most exciting wine experiences a lot of people may ever have,,,or leave a bitter taste, even turning people off a winery, region or off wine in general.   After many years of visiting cellar doors all around Australia andContinueContinue reading “Cellar Door Etiquette Short Course- Part 1 For Visitors”

SO2Go and such – Sulphur Removal compounds…do they work?

Sulphur use in wines is a very sensitive little topic. We all know somebody who has said “I like wines, I just cant handle the sulphur, it gives me headaches” You may have said this yourself, I know I have.And true: some people do have a sensitivity to the common preservative ‘sulphur dioxide’ which mayContinueContinue reading “SO2Go and such – Sulphur Removal compounds…do they work?”