The Wine Animal Show

I headed to Gembrook Hill to catch up with Andrew Marks and explore over 40 years of family winemaking in the Yarra Valley. From award-winning Sauvignon Blanc to exceptional Pinot Noir, we dive into the vineyards, the stories behind the wines, and what makes Gembrook Hill so special. And yes, there's a bottle of JKM Pinot Noir I'm definitely not sharing!

I sat down with Gwyn Olsen from Henschke to taste three wines from the 2023 Legacy Collection: Tapas Shiraz, Keyneton Euphonium Shiraz Cabernet and Marble Angel Cabernet. We explore what makes each wine unique, why Keyneton Euphonium is such an important part of the Henschke story, and why you should drink wine when you enjoy it, not when someone else tells you to! We also talk Barossa terroir, trophy winning wines and the art of knowing when a bottle is ready to go.

I sat down with Gwyn Olsen, Senior Winemaker at Henschke, for a proper deep dive into wine, winemaking and what it really takes to judge a wine. We talk about her journey from university to Henschke, wine show judging, the AWAC, the legendary Len Evans Tutorial, and why not liking a wine doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad wine.

I cracked open the Blood of the Earth Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir, a private label wine from Pinnacle Drinks, and tasted it completely fresh. Brambly fruit, cherries, raspberries and that unmistakable forest floor character, followed by good acid and surprising length. I reckon this is a seriously well made wine, and blind, I’d happily call it a banger.

I headed to Aldi with $30 and one mission: find out if you can actually get a decent bottle of wine for under $10. I tasted a French sparkling, a Clare Valley Riesling and a French Pinot Noir, with one of them turning out to be an absolute belter. From lime sherbet and racy acidity to crunchy Pinot and a surprisingly drinkable sparkler, here’s my honest take on what your $10 can get you. 🍷