NewsBite

Wine & spirits

September

anthony pieri

Melbourne dining powerhouse wins award for country’s best wine list

Gimlet’s head sommelier says the key to success is paying the same level of attention to someone drinking by the glass as to a high-roller ordering a $12,000 bottle.

  • Gus McCubbing
Nikka Yoichi whisky distillery in Hokkaido, Japan.

Heading to Hokkaido? The Nikka distillery is a must

When Masataka Taketsuru returned to Japan from Scotland a century ago he brought the expertise to make great whisky, a love of all things Caledonian and a wife.

  • Max Allen
Steve Donohue.

Endeavour Group CEO’s last drinks a chance to reset

Steve Donohue knows booze and retail as well as anyone, but shareholder diplomacy was a challenge. Good luck to whoever takes over.

  • Anthony Macdonald

If you don’t know about fiano yet, it won’t be long

From growers to drinkers – this resilient and versatile grape variety is so popular that it’s on track to overtake pinot gris.

  • Max Allen
Xiaopu-Wine-Tour-

Next-gen Chinese winemaker starts exporting to Australia

Meet sommelier turned nomad winemaker, Ian Dai, a man challenging norms of Chinese viticulture.

  • Updated
  • Max Allen
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There’s a track winding back to new beers outback

You’d never say no to a refreshing brew in the heat of the Australian bush, especially when it’s a new premium lager from Australia’s top-selling brand.

  • Max Allen

August

Up your negroni game with these essential new vermouths

The last time vermouth was trendy, it was the 1970s and Cinzano was all the rage. But now it’s back and it’s come a long way.

  • Max Allen
Accolade Wines chief executive Robert Foye has quit the role after four-and-a-half years.

Accolade Wines CEO Robert Foye quits private equity-backed group

The CEO had been at the helm of Australia’s second-largest wine group, with brands including Hardys, Grant Burge and St Hallett, for almost four-and-a-half years.

  • Simon Evans

How a dinner conversation led to a vineyard purchase

Novice owners are writing the next chapter at a top Mornington Peninsula estate.

  • Max Allen
Zoncello limoncello spritz is the hottest drink this summer.

Forget Aperol spritz, this is what’s hot on the drink list this year

Aperol Spritz is so last year. Zoncello limoncello spritz and local sparkling wine are on the summer drinks hit list.

  • Carrie LaFrenz
Steve Donohue, CEO of Endeavour Group, is expecting sales in coming months to be supported by Father’s Day and Christmas.

Dan Murphy’s owner Endeavour reveals slow start to the financial year

The group, which also runs hotels and wineries, started the new financial year with weaker than expected turnover.

  • Carrie LaFrenz
Rolling a cask at the warehouse, Ardbeg Distillery, Isle of Islay, Inner Hebrides, Scotland.

Four remarkable whiskies, all matured differently

If the cask matters to you, compare the difference in these intriguing spirits, from Australia, France and Scotland.

  • Max Allen
Jim Chatto.

Winemaker explores fruitful new territory after bushfire

Exquisite new pinot noirs from Tasmania and Burgundy reveal the best of both worlds.

  • Max Allen
Billson’s Beverages went into administration on July 31.

NAB is owed $12m in Billson’s Beverages collapse

The lender called McGrathNicol to “review” the ready-to-drink vodka maker four months before it collapsed. About 50 expressions of interest have been lodged.

  • Simon Evans
David Fesq at Barrel Hall.

Family revives its rum brand to satisfy thirst for spirits

Sydney’s Red Mill is one of three delicious – and different – new Australian rums that are a credit to their inventive distillers.

  • Max Allen
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Alexia Roberts, Chief Winemaker in the Yeenunga Vineyard.

Getting a taste for grenache? Try these new old-vine examples

South Australian producers are serving up a bunch of great grenaches – here are four you need to know about.

  • Max Allen

July

Lyons Will Estate gamay

Five top examples of a hot new red-wine grape

For too many years, gamay has been overshadowed by pinot. But that’s changing as growers experiment more to enhance its unique characters.

  • Max Allen

Like tequila? Try these three new Australian agave spirits

A growing number of enterprising Australian distillers are working to meet the demand for agave spirits.

  • Max Allen
Langton’s head of auctions Michael Anderson.

Langtons eyes $1m sales from vintage Champagne auction

The Australian fine wine marketplace is partnering with expert Tyson Stelzer to offer rare European and wartime vintages.

  • Carrie LaFrenz

The six best wines from this year’s Penfolds collection

Wondering what to buy, what to drink and what to stash away? Here are six bottles we especially loved.

  • Max Allen

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/wine--spirits-hzi