SKI > Mount Hotham

Those who choose to ski regularly at Mount Hotham, are often zealots as to why 'Hotham is so much better than any other mountain in Australia'. It is not that they are critical of other Australian Ski Resorts, its just they are certain that Mount Hotham is the best. Perhaps it is because…

ByAl ManakJune 27, 20230Comments

DRINK > WINE DRINK > WINE > Riesling

WINE > Mac Forbes RS20 Strathbogie Riesling 2022 (90/100 points)

Mac Forbes makes some great wines from fruit grown in the Yarra Valley; Pinot Noir and Chardonnay released as Single Vineyard, and Village. As well as Cabernet and Merlot released under the 'Hugh' label. But for me the most interesting stand out has been the RS range of Riesling which predominately comes from the Strathbogie…

ByCrispyJune 21, 20230Comments

EAT EAT > MELBOURNE

EAT > No. 100 Flinders Lane (15/20)

Melbournes Flinders Lane is full of fine dining options so there is an incredible amount of choice available and No. 100 is possibly the newest option that is just a little different from the usual choices. Firstly it is small - there are only 20 seats in the restaurant and while there are…

ByAl ManakJune 15, 20230Comments

DRINK > WINE DRINK > WINE > Chardonnay

WINE > Yeringberg Chardonnay 2020 – (95/100 points)

At lunch at Melitos in the Yarra Valley over the weekend I had the pleasure of ordering the Yeringberg Chardonnay, a wine that I had tried before but not had the opportunity to enjoy over food. Yeringberg a winery with incredible pedigree (one of the first in the Yarra Valley) makes excellent wines and…

ByAl ManakJune 6, 20230Comments

DRINK > WINE DRINK > WINE > Pinot Noir

WINE > Hurley Lodestone Pinot Noir (2021)

I only recently reviewed the 2020 Hurley Lodestone Pinot Noir (see below) which rated 96/100 but as 2023 marks the 21st birthday for Hurley Vineyard and as a big fan of the wines I was extremely keen to see how this release is tasting. As I write this I have not found any other reviews…

ByJames CampbellMay 31, 20230Comments

EAT EAT > MELBOURNE

EAT > Casa De Vinos (Melbourne)

Saturday afternoon wandering the streets of South Melbourne looking for the right place to stop for lunch and a glass of wine, Bellota was fully booked and the South Melbourne Markets in full swing (which meant La Central Spanish Bodega was also out of the question). Wandering up Coventry Street we noticed Casa De Vinos…

ByJames CampbellMay 29, 20230Comments

TRAVEL TRAVEL > AUSTRALIA

TRAVEL > Astra Falls Creek is Snow Paradise

Regulars to Falls Creek Ski Resort in Victoria are probably very familiar with Astra, because frankly it is a super stylish hotel that continues to set the standard for snow hotel accomodation. Its not just us saying that they have managed to collect awards for best boutique ski hotel in Australia for the past 7…

ByJames CampbellMay 23, 20230Comments

DRINK > WINE DRINK > WINE > Merlot

WINE > Paternoster ‘Heaven’s Door’ Merlot 2001

Ferreting around in the cellar and looking for a nice bottle to share with my father I found a bottle of Paternoster ‘Heaven’s Door Merlot’ sitting on a bottom shelf, it was a 2001 vintage. I vaguely remembered buying the wine from Cloud Wine in South Melbourne after one of Geoffrey’s wine tasting…

ByCrispyMay 12, 20230Comments

DRINK > WINE DRINK > WINE > Pinot Noir

WINE > Irrewarra Pinot Noir 2020

The Irrewarra Pinot Noir comes from grapes dry grown on a plot of land planted in 2001 by the Calvert family, in the Western Plains of Victoria. This wine made Nick Farr now also wine maker for ByFarr Wines. Nick Farr readily acknowledges the influence of his father (the legendary Gary Farr who established…

ByCrispyMay 10, 20230Comments

EAT EAT > MELBOURNE

EAT > Trattoria Emilia (Melbourne)

Hidden away in a laneway, off another laneway you find Trattoria Emilia a traditional Italian restaurant that makes you feel warm and alive the moment you enter. The restaurant is in Gills Alley, the location formerly home to another fine Melbourne restaurant Gills Diner. It is a wonderful space with high…

ByAl ManakMay 10, 20230Comments

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