"Despite the fact that the standard bottle of Bin 180 sells for $1180 (such synchronicity!), the three-litre bottles were more than 15 times as expensive, with people being prepared to pay for the unique," says wine writer RICHARD CALVER.
Wine writer RICHARD CALVER shares memories of the 2010 vintage, an outstanding year for Australian wine and Julia Gillard.
"The 2024 winegrape crush showed a nine per cent increase on 2023. But that was not a reason to pop a cork as the 2024 crush of 1.43 million tonnes was well below the 10-year average of 1.73 million tonnes," reports RICHARD CALVER.
“Few people know that my family has strong grassroots in Canberra," Scott McWilliam says. "And McWilliam's Wines has recently released our flagship wine, called Eliza Jane, a Canberra District shiraz of the highest pedigree."
"In winter, Kopi Tiam's Malaysian and Chinese-inspired dishes make it the perfect place to warm the tummy with spicy dishes, especially one of my all-time faves, the signature beef rendang." Dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON'S been to Manuka.
Wine writer RICHARD CALVER discovers the momentary joy of assembling his first 'listicle', with some reservations...
Wine writer RICHARD CALVER talks to Katherine Brown, of Brown Brothers, about what needs to happen to change the lot of women in the wine industry.
"Uruguay has the right characteristics for the production of good quality wine as it is located between parallels 30 degrees and 35 degrees of south latitude, similar to the Hunter Valley," writes wine columnist RICHARD CALVER.
The federal government has finally stepped up to help the struggling wine industry dealing with, among other things, the oversupply of red wine. But the largesse doesn't run to much of the Canberra Wine District, writes RICHARD CALVER.
"What sort of white sells for only $16? The winery’s website says that this wine is a blend of 81 per cent sauvignon blanc and 19 per cent semillon," writes wine columnist RICHARD CALVER.
"Steiner in the 1920s famously warned that the widespread use of chemical fertilisers would lead to the decline of soil, plant and animal health," writes wine columnist RICHARD CALVER in praise of biodynamic farming.
"I ordered a glass of the only chardonnay available by the glass. It was $16 a glass. I later Googled the wine and found it could be bought for around $18 a bottle. Mark ups rule!" write wine columnist RICHARD CALVER.
"My mind went to the idea that life is a matter of contrasts. The contrast was not in imagery or tortured faux jokes, but in the consumption of a sparkling wine that was not cheap or sticky but wondrous," says wine writer RICHARD CALVER.
Wine writer RICHARD CALVER ponders the lot of Ukrainian wine makers: "They are cultivating the vines while under missile attack. Extraordinary. So far removed from our normality. Pruning and dodging incoming, just wild."
There is real hardship in the grape-growing sector, with some growers getting about 15 cents a bottle for red wine. So what did the industry get in the budget? "Nada, zilch, nothing," says wine writer RICHARD CALVER.
"In 2017 I visited Pennyweight Winery and I said to my friends that a visit would show them great views across the plains towards the southwest of Beechworth and give them an opportunity to taste some premium stuff," writes RICHARD CALVER.
Wine writer RICHARD CALVER reveals the opening line to a column he didn't write in November, when he attended the Latin American Cultural and Gastronomic Festival, Edition VII. The facts got in the way.
To be complacent means that you are pleased with yourself or your merits and advantages or the situation you are in: basically, being self-satisfied, writes wine columnist RICHARD CALVER.
"Drinking mostly Japanese beer and sake with food wasn’t a difficulty, but for lovers of red wine though, expect to have to warm your glass to let the wine reach room temperature," writes RICHARD CALVER, home from a holiday in Japan.
