By all accounts, vintage 2011 was a challenge for most Australia wine growing regions. Phillip Jones is quite forthright about it by describing the conditions at his Leongatha South vineyard as “wet and cold” on the back labels of his current releases. Read More >

I’m a recovering lawyer. Been in the game for nearly forty years. There, I’ve come out with it, and I feel a lot better. Read More >

Italy has a whopping 825,000 hectares under vine, and produces a touch under 18 percent of the world’s wine, around 4,500 megalitres, each year (Australia produces 4.5 percent, about 1,200 megalitres). Comparisons are odious they say, but considering Italy is just a little larger than the State of Victoria this speaks of a huge industry, and hints at wine’s cultural and economic importance in that country. Read More >

Geoff Weaver Adelaide Hills Riesling 2012 – pale lemony gold, green tinged; scents of lime blossom followed by intense fresh lime juice and minerally acid; long, pure and delicious. This will last and improve for 10 years and give increasing pleasure over the journey. Read More >

This is a new label created by David Fesq of the well-known Sydney wine family, and the wines are made at Lethbridge Estate in the Geelong region from locally grown grapes. Read More >

Our Melbourne correspondent, Andrew Jenkins, is on the trail of dry cider in Australia and discovers a particularly good vintage 2011 up in Harcourt. Read More >

Our Melbourne correspondent, Andrew Jenkins, investigates the bourgeoning Cider and Perry consumption in Australia, moreover is making some of his own with favourable results, least the local possums think so. Read More >

The Wandering Palates Melbourne correspondent, Andrew Jenkins (Jenks), espouses the virtues of artisan baked bread and has a sourdough story of his own Read More >

Dexter is the eponymous label of Tod and Debbie Dexter, based at Merricks North on the Mornington Peninsula. The vineyard was established in 1987. Now just over 7 hectares, it’s planted to Chardonnay and Pinot noir in roughly equal proportions. The vine age for the Chardonnay averages 20 years and the Pinot 15 years. Read More >

I’m not easily persuaded by the marketing department, but when I saw the Route du Van label, I had to try the wines. There is even a fuel gauge on top of the screwcap showing a full tank. Handy. Read More >