TRAVEL > The Sights and Tastes of Spectacular Rioja

Just to the south of glamorous San Sebastián and to the south west of the towering Pyrenees Mountains you find the Ebro River. The valley of the Ebro River and its tributaries create the region of 'La Rioja' a part of Spain that is famed for its outstanding wine (predominately Tempranillo), a beautiful region…

ByJames CampbellMay 2, 20230Comments

DRINK > WINE DRINK > WINE > Pinot Noir

WINE > Bindi Dixon Pinot Noir 2021

I have been a fan of Bindi wines for 5 or 6 years and a regular collector of the Bindi Dixon which has continued to be an outstanding representation of the best Pinot Noir from the Macedon region of Victoria. But there is something special about the 2021 release that lifts it above recent releases…

ByCrispyApril 28, 20230Comments

TRAVEL TRAVEL > NZ WHERE TO SKI >

TRAVEL > The Incredible Magic of Queenstown

As we start to feel the chill of autumn in the Southern Hemisphere, plans for the best place for a ski trip are discussed, and a return to Queenstown (in New Zealand South Island) is always a serious contender for best wine and snow holiday. Queenstown in winter is a winter wonderland that should…

ByJames CampbellApril 26, 20230Comments

DRINK > WINE DRINK > WINE > Chardonnay

WINE > OSSA Chardonnay 2021

THE WINERY Ossa began in 2017 when Rod and Cecile Roberts purchased their 600-hectare farm on the East Coast of Tasmania. The winery is named after Mount Ossa which is in central highlands of Tasmania and is quite a dramatic landmark of dolerite, granite and ice. Parcels of land in this now revered wine growing…

ByJames CampbellApril 25, 20230Comments

DESIGN

TECH > The new Asko high tech wine fridge

For the last couple of decades the Vintec brand has been synonymous with quality wine storage solutions, but Swedish brand ASKO better known for dishwashers, refrigerators and ovens have arrived in the market with a solution that just might make you sit up and take notice. (That is if you have $15k to spend…

ByMagnum OpusApril 24, 20230Comments

DRINK > WINE DRINK > WINE > Chardonnay

WINE > William Fevre Chablis 2020

THE WINERY William Fevre founded the winery in 1957 and the territory includes 12 hectares of premier cru and 16 hectares of grand cru vines. This is not a small Burgundy vineyard with 78 hectares across 90 seperate parcels but there is significant care to the cultivation and harvesting for all of the levels…

ByJames CampbellApril 21, 20230Comments

SKI > SPAIN SKI > SPAIN & ANDORRA (Pyrenees Mountains) TRAVEL TRAVEL > SPAIN WHERE TO SKI >

SKI > Formigal a must visit ski resort in the Pyrenees

High in the Pyrenees nestled on the border between Spain and France the Formigal-Panticosa Ski Resort is a massive ski resort connecting across three towns; Panticosa, Formigal and Portalet it is the largest resort in Spain.

ByJames CampbellApril 21, 20230Comments

DRINK > WINE DRINK > WINE > Tempranillo

WINE > La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 (2011)

There are some wines that are truly remarkable, recalling them evokes memories that touch all of the senses, reminding you of where you were, what you ate, who you were with. I clearly recall the first time I tasted the La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva, it was in New York at the super…

ByCrispyApril 20, 20230Comments

DESIGN

TECH > Sony’s WH-1000XM5 top of the line noise-canceling headphones are …. great!

The Sony WH-1000XM5 noise-canceling headphones are a top-of-the-line audio accessory that delivers exceptional audio quality and noise-cancellation technology. These headphones are full of features that make them an excellent choice for long haul international travel. One of the most significant benefits is their advanced noise-canceling technology. An essential feature for frequent travellers looking to block…

ByJames CampbellApril 18, 20230Comments

DRINK > WINE DRINK > WINE > Pinot Noir

WINE > Hurley Lodestone Pinot Noir 2020

THE VINEYARD The original Hurley Farm was established by Irish settlers (William and Johanna Hurley) in the 1860's, but it is the current owners Tricia Byrnes and Kevin Bell who first planted vines at the Balnarring property on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria in 1998. Their the sole intention was to establish single vineyard pinot…

ByCrispyApril 18, 20230Comments