Send us a text

Part 2 of my chat with one of my favourite Sydney wine guys, the knowledgeable and charismatic Cal Lee. This week Cal takes us on a deep dive of the wine course he is taking at Charles Sturt University. Cal’s perspectives are invaluable for anyone who might consider taking their interest in wine to a whole new level. On this occasion I had to make use of a backup microphone (and you may notice that) , however the conversation with Cal was again beyond enjoyable and informative. As said last week, if you find yourself in Sydney’s inner east, do yourself a favour and duck into Love Tilly Devine. I promise you wont regret it. 

Support the show

Send us a text

Nearly twelve months ago I went out to dinner with one of my best friends to celebrate his engagement to his beautiful bride to be. Our choice of location was calculated, a wine bar I had been told had a great wine list, and a somm with a personality to match it. The rumours were correct on both counts. The wines were great – only outshone by the hospitality of the somm who looked after us. Cal Lee is the somm at Love Tilly Devine in Sydney’s Paddington district, a fantastic hole in the wall wine bar oozing with character and wine list and menu to match. By night Cal treats the Love Tilly patrons to top shelf hospitality – by day Cal devotes himself to the study of wine. Cal’s story and perspectives are the result of a broad experience across the world of wine service, WSET and studies at Charles Sturt. Add some passion to that cuvee and you have one of the most enjoyable and passionate wine personalities going around. We had so much to discuss that we did this chat over two segments  - I hope you enjoy the chat, but give yourself a treat and go drop into Love Tilly Devine yourself. 

Support the show

Send us a text

I recall the first time I scanned one of Marc Malouf’s tasting notes. His attention to detail in pinpointing taste, his ability to identify the nuanced and specific, is remarkable and to my mind awe inspiring.  Mark grew up in a family who loved and valued cuisine and this set the backdrop to Mark developing a forensic wine palate.  Marc is a wine enthusiast extraordinaire and gives life to this passion through his work on his blog and website Winesoworthwritingabout, where, as the name suggest Mark devotes himself to uncovering and elevating the wines he discovers - which are literally worth writing about. Marc joined me on the show to share the story of the tragedy that inspired his wine journey, the solace wine gave him in healing and just where that journey has taken him.

Support the show

Send us a text

I’m pretty sure it was Batman who said that crime never sleeps, but justice knows no bounds. Well, my eyes were truly opened when I began following the work of the illustrious Maureen Downey and her quest to shine the light on and fight wine crime. I was slightly more shocked with how readily Maureen agreed to sit down with me and share her story. Maureen Downey is a renowned authority in the world of wine fraud detection and authentication. With over two decades of experience, she has solidified her reputation as a trusted expert in the field, earning the respect of collectors, producers, and law enforcement agencies worldwide. Downey's journey into the wine world began in the world of hospitality, but her fascination with fine and rare wines eventually led her to focus on uncovering counterfeit and misrepresented bottles. Maureen played a key role in the taking down of wine fraudster Rudy Kurniawan and continues to traverse the wine world searching out and tackling criminal activity. In addition to her consulting work, Downey has been instrumental in educating the wine industry about the dangers of fraud and the importance of transparency. She continues to be a prominent voice in advocating for greater accountability and integrity in the world of wine, making Maureen Downey an indispensable figure in safeguarding the authenticity of fine wine. Maureen recently joined me for an action-packed conversation in which she shared her story and more. A massive thanks to Maureen for joining me. 

Support the show

Send us a text

Kate Sturgess and Brokenwood are two names synonymous with wine making excellence. Kate is a Queensland native who acted on an adventurous inspiration deciding that she would be a wine maker, a decision that placed her on a path to being one of the most exciting wine makers in the Australian landscape. Brokenwood winery in the heart of the hunter, with a reputation for excellence, was the brain child, or passion project of three wine Sydney lawyers who passion for wine and their expensive drinking habits at Len Evans wine bar forced them into the industry. Kate Sturgess and Brokenwood both have incredible stories. However, as with all things in the wine scene, the story comes from a burning passion that manifests integrity and quality. Kate has won countless awards and is a proud ambassador and leader guaranteeing and exciting future for Australian wine.

Support the show

Send us a text

In 1901 a train steamed into Coonawarra and Bill Redman stepped off onto the station platform. Bill took a job at John Riddoch’s winery and thus the Redman family established itself in the Coonawarra region. I recently had the honour and privilege of sitting down with 4th generation Redman, Dan, who is the wine maker for Redman wines. The Redman family champion the Coonawarra region, a magic slice of terra rossa soil situated in South Australia’s limestone coast, stretching approximately 20 km. The magic of Coonawarra was codified when Coonawarra received GI recognition in 2003. Coonawarra is world famous for producing exceptional cabernet sauvignon, however I have recently had my eyes opened the diversity of Coonawarra excellence from Red blends to Chardonnay. The wines are exceptional, yet at the heart of Coonawarra is a community of people dedicated to the region. Dan Redman joins me to shed light on this incredible community which has harnessed the Coonawarra Terroir to produce incredible wines. A massive thanks to Dan for joining me. 

Support the show

Send us a text

Nick Brown tells me that he is nurturing wines in barrel that he will never see bottled – this is to ensure the success of their long-term vision of quality. This to me is wine at its best. There is an element of the supernatural, a counterintuitive sacrifice seen through a genuine willingness to contribute to something larger than oneself with a complete understanding that someone may never see the fruits of their sacrifice. What is it about the wine industry that breeds or instils this? What is it about the wine industry that calls successive generations back home to willingly accept the wisdom and torch from their predecessors? The Brown family are a genuine case study in this. One of the first families of Australian Wine, the Brown family are amongst the leading pioneers of Australian wine history. Nick Brown heads wine making operations in the Brown family-owned Rutherglen wineries of All Saints, St Leonard’s, and Mt Ophir. Nick has fond memories of doing midnight vineyards runs on the tractor with his father when he was a child. Nick insists that there was absolutely zero expectation that Nick would return to join the family enterprise. Yet fourth generation Brown siblings Nick, Angela and Eliza all made the decision upon the death of their father to take the reins and continue the Brown family tradition of crafting exceptional Australian wine. That’s what does it for me. The Browns are about family. Their wines tell this story. Nick Brown recently joined me for an hour to share all about the Brown’s and their history in Rutherglen. A massive thanks to Nick for joining me.  

Support the show

Send us a text

The term young gun is usually used to describe a young person who exhibits enormous potential early and looks set on actualising it. It also describes the philosophy underpinning the Australian Young Gun program, a program designed to harness and channel the potential of the youngest, brightest and best of the Aussie wine scene. Justin Folloso, originally from Tassie and full of potential and promise, was attracted to this opportunity. Justin says it was attending a Young Gun show and tasting Tasmanian Pinot Noir being exhibited that galvanised his decision to embark on a wine adventure. This adventure took Justin across the globe, from the Santa Rita Hills in California to the legendary slopes of Burgundy. Then Justin came home to settle and apply his craft in Australia. Along the way, while working on a cruise ship Justin met the lovely Rosario who was travelling abroad from her home in Mexico. The two of them have travelled the wine world and after returning to Australia eventually have decided that they would start their own label – Cave Wines, paying homage to a cave at the back of a wine cellar Justin worked in. Justin makes the wine; Rosaria takes care of business – they have the bases covered. The wines are every bit as exceptional as the story. A massive thanks to Justin and Rosario for joining me. 

Support the show

Send us a text

Spoiled again, Lindsay and I start with a stunning Hunter Chardonnay from the 5 star Elbourne winery in Pokolbin, we then move onto a fascinating Clare Valley mouvedre from Kilikanoon, the first Clare mouvedre for me. To finish, Lindsay pulls out a Barolo from a small and particular producer evidently doing very big things.....

Support the show

Send us a text

Small scale wine making is vital for its contributions to diversity, sustainability, craftsmanship, and community support in the wine industry. It can be argued that It offers a more intimate and personalised experience for wine enthusiasts while helping to maintain the cultural richness and heritage associated with winemaking. Small wineries are the hidden gems of the wine world, the special finds with multidimensional value. With this in mind I recently sat down with the committee for the Australian Small Winemakers Show, a show dedicated to showcasing the hidden gems of the Australian world. Peter McGlashan, Christopher Doig and David Oag, share the background to the show, and the role it plays in bringing the very special to the surface for the wine word to know. A massive thanks to Peter, Christopher and David for joining me.  

Support the show