I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Rusden make stunning wines. Simple.

This, The Good Shepherd Malbec 2018, fits the typical stylishly beautiful Rusden form. Inky and glass staining with a super aromatic nose of blueberries, cherries and violets. An effortlessly smooth and opulent palate of blue fruits, redcurrants, and touches of spice. All gloriously wrapped in velvety tannins. Flavour for days!

 I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Rusden make

Gold Digger’s Ghost Pyrenees Shiraz 2017

Recommendation: Strong Buy. A quality wine for $22

This was a complimentary bottle from Luke and Zoe Crouch, who run Ned's Vineyard. They only make one wine and this is it. All their love and passion into one wine. Ned’s Vineyard is nestled at the foothills of the Pyrenees Ranges in Victoria and has a long history. Most of the fruit is bought by the more famous Mount Langhi Ghiran, but Luke and Zoe keep a small batch from the top block of the vineyard.  The grapes are carefully handled by wine maker Andrew Davey to produce this quality Shiraz.

The aroma of this wine is truly beautiful. It reminds me of a quality floral perfume and it feels like I'm walking through the fragrance department at David Jones. You get an instant hit of flavour that coats the mouth. Blueberry is at the front but it turns into a sweet spice flavour of star anise, subtle but makes the wine end perfectly. It's an old school licorice allsort. Luke and Zoe only need to make one wine especially if it is this good...simple...

 Ned's Vineyard Gold Digger’s Ghost Pyrenees Shiraz 2017

Planta Circa Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 by Purple Hands

Recommendation: Must buy for a special occasion. 🍷

Christmas 🎄 calls for a special wine and without a doubt this was special. The top of the range by

 using grapes 🍇 from vines planted around ‘circa’ 1880. That’s 137 years ago. This wine is history in a bottle and although way too young and should have stayed in the cellar for at least 10 years, but after Sir Halliday gave it a 98 and Christmas Day approaching, I just had to try it. Bottled under cork and dipped in wax, even opening it was special.

No if’s or buts, the wine is brilliant.

Now if your Christmas Day is anything like my family’s, poppy always has a story that’s older and times decades ago was always better, always with the “back in my day” start.

So it was so good to start a story with back in 1880...simple...

Cheers and I hope everyone had a great Christmas. 🍷

 Planta Circa Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 by Purple Hands

took this impressive photo of the pressing of the 2021 Pinot Noir at

 This is beautiful. @vicpug took this impressive photo of

Chateau Yaldara Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

This wine is like sitting in an old leather wingback chair in front of an open fire 🔥 the smell, the taste, the feeling.

It’s warm tasting, comfortable but captivating just like looking at a fire. I could drink this and ponder into the fire all night. A very good wine. A classic in my opinion...simple...

 Wine of the Month: February Chateau Yaldara Reserve

Rating: B (but would be higher if you love moscato)

Now I don’t like Moscato (but you should know that with my lack of moscato reviews) but this is actually not bad. Refreshing and not overly sweet. I like it. Would be very good cold on a summer day at the beach. Well make that first day of Autumn...simple...

 Pete’s Pure Moscato Euston, Murray River area of NSW

 and thank you for the opportunity to taste and review this very good wine. .

 Chateau Yaldara Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Rating: A

Recommendation: A Sunday afternoon special

Remember going on a Sunday Drive? Remember the time before everyone was so busy and there was only a couple of TV channels. A time with no internet, no mobile phone and no Netflix.

Dad would to turn to Mum and say “wanna go for a drive?” Before you knew we we were all in the car, windows down, driving down the coast or into the City.

I have no idea why, but I loved it. Driving then was fun. No bumper to bumper traffic, just the fresh breeze and exploring the small part of the world.

_wines have a different story and reason behind the name but either way there was something comforting about this wine. A familiar taste, a smell that made me as happy as sitting in the back seat on that Sunday Drive…simple…

This is an independent wine review or my own editorial content. No payment was received for this review.

 Last Sunday Drive by Brand & Sons Cabernet Franc 2019

My discovery of the year is Sholto Wines from Canberra. Jacob Carter is the founder and wine maker of

 which he started in 2015. I was lucky enough to review and enjoy four of his wines this year and was truely impressed.

I originally said “So if I could invest in a winery, this is it...simple....Thats the best compliment I can give. I just don’t want 6, I want the entire winery.” I still stand by that comment. The standout was his latest 2018 Syrah, which was absolutely beautiful and a wine I would buy and drink time after time.

In addition the 2018 Syrah was named the champion wine at the Canberra and Region Wine Show. 🍷

 2019 Discovery of the Year Sholto Wines Region: Canberra

Penfolds will be releasing the next wine superstar with the g4.

So at a powerball winning price of $3500 per bottle, What is it?

Well let’s call it the Grange of Granges. The g4 is a blend of four Grange vintages: 2016, 2008, 2004 and 2002, all in one bottle.

Penfolds Chief Winemaker Peter Gago outlines the wine will develop in the cellar until 2080. Yes that’s correct 2080. Which would make a perfect 100th birthday present for myself in 2078.

Only 2,500 bottles were produced, so I better win powerball...simple...

 Penfolds g4 Penfolds will be releasing the next wine

 Still working it out...not so simple... 🍷  Credit to

I think this is the original ‘wow’ decanter and still one of the best. Pure art. Pure beauty...simple...

 Wow. The @riedel _official Swan. I think this is the

Kellermeister Wild Witch 2015 Barossa Shiraz

Wow just wow! I usually am winereview_simple but for this wine I need more words, more time. The smell is amazing. The bouquet is truely beautiful. I couldn’t stop smelling it. It reminds me of wines well above $200. Or those wines you only have once couple of years.

I took about 5 minutes to actually taste it due to the mesmerising aroma. I was nervous, nervous for the taste, will I be disappointed...I took one last smell, closed my eyes and took a sip.  Thick, luscious and bold. My nerves completely disappeared and happiness took over. I want more and more. Before the first sip even hit the back of my throat I was already googling where I can buy more.

It is only young but drinking brilliant at the moment yet you know this will last forever and only get better. This is one of those award winning wines that actually deliver an award winning taste. Wild Witch is one of the best wines I’ve ever tasted. I still can’t believe this is a $70 wine. I can’t wait for this to develop further in the cellar

 2019 Wine of the Year Kellermeister Wild Witch 2015 Barossa

 Koomilya Shiraz by S.C. Pannell Is this a Cult Winery?

Tagliolini or tajarin is a Traditional Piemonte fresh pasta made with egg yolks. The thin, rich ribbons embrace the delicate shavings of intense white Alba truffle perfectly

 Tagliolini or tajarin is a Traditional Piemonte fresh pasta

Marche: From the Sea to the Mountains, a Stronghold for Native Grapes & Organic Viticulture 📷 Istituto Marchigiano di Tutela Vini

Famed for its Verdicchio, the Marche region is also known for its dedication to indigenous and traditional grapes such as Lacrima, Vernaccia Nera, Pecorino, Passerina and Biancame.

Additionally, Marche is known for its emphasis on organic viticulture and sense of place; believing in the connection between the land, people and wine.

Relatively tiny [it produces about 2% of Italy’s entire wine production], there is a vast range of microclimates and wines.

From the powerful, dark fruit/tannic/high alcohol Montepulciano reds from Rosso Cònero to the sleek/mineral driven/high elevation Verdicchio from Matelica to the intensely aromatic Lacrima di Morro, this land of hills and mountains on the Adriatic coast possesses a full spectrum of diversity. ➡️ Link in bio for my conversation with Alberto Mazzoni, the Director of Istituto Marchigiano di Tutela Vini 🙏🏼

 Marche: From the Sea to the Mountains, a Stronghold for

As the sun drops behind the steep hills it creates a perfect vision of the legendary Piemonte fog

 As the sun drops behind the steep hills it creates a

Snappy, fruity Barbera is the perfect companion to decadent, rich Piedmontese fonduta with poached eggs

 Snappy, fruity Barbera is the perfect companion to

Morning view of Mount Maiella from Cugnoli in Abruzzo. A tremendous representation of ‘sense of place’ in the Cococciolo, Trebbiano d’Abruzzese and Pecorino wines we studied

 Morning view of Mount Maiella from Cugnoli in Abruzzo. A

Fresh, snappy Barbara d’Asti complimenting rich, dense potato flan

 Fresh, snappy Barbara d’Asti complimenting rich, dense

Asti is home to some of the steepest vineyards in the world, with slope gradients over 50%. Termed “heroic agriculture” all hillside vineyard work is done by hand.

The majority of winemakers grew up watching their grandfathers work out thru trial and error what areas of the hillsides would be suitable for grape cultivation.

Most plots of land are 4 hectares or smaller; in fact, 60% of producers have less then 2 hectares of vines.

Moscato d’Asti: The Sparkling Side of Piedmont

 Asti is home to some of the steepest vineyards in the

 Buon giorno Piemonte #asti #alba #piemonte #fog #winetravel

Baking class and wine pairing at International School of Italian Cuisine

20 mins of hand mixing for the most rich, yet elegant zabaglione to top our hazelnut cake

 Baking class and wine pairing at International School of

 this morning, Here is a view from the town of Cugnoli, looking out over the stunning Maiella mountain and the beauty of Abruzzo, in early February

 Inspired by the photos of @cristianatiberio and

The first of many flights of Barbera d’Asti

An exciting, just lovely pairing with Moscato d’Asti

 An exciting, just lovely pairing with Moscato d’Asti Tutti

The perfect setting to delve into Alba dishes and wines

A rediscovered sparkling Rosé dating to 1873 is the elegant fruity, floral, dry sparkler you have been looking for

 A rediscovered sparkling Rosé dating to 1873 is the elegant

View of Canelli, the heart of Mocato d’Asti DOCG from Castillo Gancia