NewsBite

Wine & spirits

Advertisement
Toru Takamatsu, 29, has traded the highfalutin world of elite restaurants for the vineyards of Hokkaido as he sets out to make his own wine after becoming the world’s youngest ever master sommelier five years ago.

Australian Toru Takamatsu became the world’s youngest ever master sommelier. Then he changed course

The exam is notoriously difficult. The preparation excruciating, even if it involves tasting amazing wine. But this wunderkind traded in a six-figure salary to learn how to make his own drop.

  • Lisa Visentin

Latest

Alcohol-free beer.

At $30b and rising, alcohol-free booze is becoming big business

The market for non-alcoholic booze grew by roughly 20 per cent in 2023, compared with 8 per cent for alcoholic drinks. How big will it get?

  • The Economist
Kate Mulvany (right) with sister Tegan Mulvany, who stars in this production of The Seed.

Three Things I Love: You’ll never guess what actor Kate Mulvany digs about Perth

Kate Mulvany is acting on the world stage. But when she comes home to Western Australia, there are certain stops always on her agenda. She shares them here.

  • Emma Young
Vigneron Sarah Collingwood in her Four Winds Vineyard in Canberra. 

The most wanted wine in Australia is by a small producer you haven’t even heard of yet

The Melbourne Royal Wine Awards uncovered some excellent new wines by some little-known winemakers. Here’s the pick of the bunch.

  • Katie Spain
Cougar Morrison performs in Perth.

Three Things I Love: Jazz, wine and drag: Perth’s favourite drag queen reveals her go-tos

Want to see Perth’s best drag competitions? What about live music? Or even just wining and dining? Entertainer of the Year Cougar Morrison dishes the dirt.

  • Emma Young
Patient Wolf Distilling Co. founder Dave Irwin said the federal government’s excise remission scheme is a disincentive to grow his business.

Tax breaks for distilleries open to ‘rorts and abuse’, government warned

Medium-sized distilleries say tax breaks for small spirits producers are an “existential threat” to their businesses.

  • Andrew Taylor
Advertisement
Palm Valley Spirits managing director Lewis Millward backs efforts to strengthen labelling laws for Australian spirits, including adhering to rules about place of origin.

Whiskey wars: US distillers warn Australia to stick to spirit of the law

Complaints about Australian distillers mislabelling products as whiskey and bourbon risk triggering a trade dispute with the United States.

  • Andrew Taylor
Pre-packaged, single-serve non-alcoholic drinks options are helpful to operators wanting an easy and low-waste option.

Sober thoughts: Non-alcoholic drinks trend is shaping Perth venues

At the halfway mark of Dry July, our food writer reflects on the growing interest in sobriety and its effect on restaurants, dining out and food culture generally.

  • Max Veenhuyzen
Shelter the Storm.

Cabin Fever: Your guide to the ultimate Margaret River party season

Cue footy season, umbrellas by the door – and Cabin Fever! From beer launches to free live music, this program is stacked with value-packed, accessible events.

  • Max Veenhuyzen
Lightning Minds

No booze? No problems. These six drinks will see Perth through Dry July

Whether you’re staying in or hitting the town, saying no to alcohol no longer means no to flavour or excitement, and this list will definitely get you motivated.

  • Max Veenhuyzen

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