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Food & Wine

Today

 Nikki Palun 

Melbourne’s ‘urban wine’ scene is older than you think

Though it claims to be the first of its kind, the new CBD wine palace preparing to open in the Victorian capital joins a proud tradition of city-centric winemaking.

This Month

One of Australia’s newest vineyards has been 150 years in the making

An epic comeback story has taken root in Geelong, where a collective of winemakers are finally savouring the fruits of their labours.

March

The Scots have a new whisky competitor - England.

The English whisky distilleries ruffling Scottish feathers

These 20-year-old upstarts are taking on centuries of northern tradition in a war of the whiskies – and even have conflicting views on what makes a single malt.

This Brisbane restaurant deserves a Michelin star

Chef Dan Arnold brings a Michelin-style rigour to the Brisbane fine dining scene.

The other white burgundy is stepping out of chardonnay’s shadow

After years of neglect, both at home and abroad, it’s the little-known aligoté’s time to shine, owing to a warming climate and some determined winemakers.

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Pharoah Wine Bar, Athens.

Forget tavernas – discover authentic Greek cuisine with the cool crowd

Duck away from Athens’ tourist strip to find an edgy wine bar and restaurant with a charmingly old soul.

Elon Musk holds up a chainsaw he received from Argentina's President Javier Milei, right, as they arrive to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Elon Musk gets ready to enter the restaurant business

Two years ago, the Tesla founder and DOGE chief began to build a diner and drive-in theatre in Los Angeles. Then he became a political lightning rod.

Dark Emu beer with native grains at this destination brewery

A couple has built a farmhouse-style brewery in East Gippsland and intend to make it a destination.

This year, Crocs are 23 years old – in other words, old enough to dress well.

Crocs turn 23 years old. Time to grow up and get shoes

First there were Crocs, now there’s a mash-up between a sneaker and loafer. Would you wear a snoafer to the office?

How the Hawke’s Bay wine region weathered its most challenging year

AFR’s wine writer discovers a tale of two vineyards and a remarkable comeback story in the wake of the 2023 Cyclone Gabrielle floods.

From whitebait fritters to hangi, eat your way around NZ

Top chef Vaughan Mabee of Amisfield in Queenstown shares the best places to dine in New Zealand, from fish and chip vans to remote fine dining destinations.

‘Mad genius’ and Brat-pack Welshman to set Melbourne ablaze

We speak to chefs Vaughan Mabee and Tomos Parry, who are bringing their flame-kissed food to the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival.

New Zealand pops its cork for one of the world’s great wine festivals

All things pinot noir were up for discussion at this three-day celebration of the crowd-pleasing varietal in Christchurch.

A chef prepares one of the signature impressions, 1984.

This restaurant is one of the world’s best (and one of the weirdest)

Zuckerberg, silicon brains and space bread – step inside Alchemist in Copenhagen, the world’s most challenging restaurant.

Nicholson Rivery Winery owners Juliet and Ken Eckersley 

Wine pioneer looking for new blood to preserve vineyard tradition

Nicholson River Winery in East Gippsland is renowned for its classic chardonnay – which could become a thing of the past.

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February

Martinis and bikinis at Melbourne’s hot new restaurant

Melbourne didn’t need a high-end Portuguese restaurant. But it will want this one.

How AI is making moves on the wine industry

Will artificial intelligence change everything we love about our favourite drop?

Forget sauvignon blanc – 2025 is all about souvignier gris

Welcome to Utopia, where wines are produced from new, resilient grapes that are causing a stir.

Palette’s chef Dayan Hartill-Law’s food meets art experience.

Four standout restaurants to add to your Gold Coast must-visit list

Now you have an extra reason to hit the Goldie strip, which is fast becoming a paradise for foodies.

How an ancient technique became a hot new wine trend

The use of terracotta and ceramic vessels in the winemaking process is making a comeback – and it’s producing some distinctively earthy drops.

The winemaker you need to know (though she doesn’t care if you don’t)

Former reality show contestant and TV presenter Sierra Reed got obsessed with wine while filming in New Zealand in 2011. She’s been doing it her way ever since.

The restaurants changing what we know about Korean cuisine

Korean food is so much more than kimchi or gochujang. Meet the chefs bringing a range of traditional and modern flavours to Australia’s biggest cities.

Nagi Maehashi of RecipeTin eats.

The obsessions that make Nagi Maehashi tick

The drive that took the RecipeTin Eats founder and bestselling author to PwC, Brookfield and out on her own is about more than simply selling cookbooks.

Max Allen’s pick of wines to woo your Valentine

Champagne is all very well, but true love means giving something that will surprise and delight with its seductive depth and complexity.

January

Barossa winemaker proves busy people can have it all. Well, sort of

With two vineyards, a winery and a two-year-old, “Life’s a bit ... saturated,” says Brett Grock. Still, he’s found the time to put his artwork on his labels.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/food-and-wine