September
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
- Drinks With Max Allen
- Life & Leisure
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
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
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
- Drinks With Max Allen
- Life & Leisure
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
- Drinks With Max Allen
- Life & Leisure
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
- Drinks With Max Allen
- Life & Leisure
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 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
- Drinks With Max Allen
- Life & Leisure
How a dinner conversation led to a vineyard purchase
Novice owners are writing the next chapter at a top Mornington Peninsula estate.
- Max Allen
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
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
- Drinks With Max Allen
- Life & Leisure
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
- Drinks With Max Allen
- Life & Leisure
Winemaker explores fruitful new territory after bushfire
Exquisite new pinot noirs from Tasmania and Burgundy reveal the best of both worlds.
- Max Allen
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
- Drinks With Max Allen
- Life & Leisure
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
- Drinks With Max Allen
- Life & Leisure
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
- Drinks With Max Allen
- Life & Leisure
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
- Exclusive
- Wine
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
- Drinks With Max Allen
- Life & Leisure
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