EAT > Pinotta, Fitzroy North (15/20)

Pinotta has been a busy bustling bistro wine bar on St Georges Road in Fitzroy North since 2011, led by the vibrant Heidi Modra who welcomes guests who come from the neighbourhood and across Melbourne. The big change in 2024 is the addition of Phillipa Sibley as executive chef. Sibley (you may well remember her…

ByCrispyJune 11, 20240Comments

DRINK > MELBOURNE

DRINK > V Wine Salon, Melbourne

V Wine Salon is located in the slightly unlikely West End of Melbourne's CBD. For those who are less familiar with region it is close to the Southern Cross Train Station which tends to make it an area less obvious as a destination for fine dining or fine wine-ing. But…

ByEd ItorMay 28, 20240Comments

DRINK > MELBOURNE

DRINK > Pearl Chablis and Oyster Bar, Melbourne

Melbourne loves to hide its bars and restaurants away down laneways, underground and on top of building roof tops but Pearl is not easy to find. The Midcity Centre arcade on Bourke Street is not a place you would normally associate with fine dining or fine drinking, but make your way past 'Breadtop', the…

ByAl ManakMay 7, 20240Comments

EAT > OSAKA

EAT > Mitsuyama, Osaka

A wander around the neighbourhood and looking into a doorway we discovered Mitsuyama, but they were booked out for dinner so we decided to commit and book for the following evening, a decision that turned out to be outstanding. It is a small restaurant, our party of five were the only diners this night but…

ByCrispyApril 4, 20240Comments

EAT > TOKYO

EAT > Fujimaru, Osaka

Osaka is well known for its street food, with 222 listings in the Michelin Guide (3 for 3 star, 9 for 2 star and 80 for 1 star) you know that they are serious about food. But what about wine, well that is a little harder to find, especially if like us on…

ByEd ItorApril 4, 20240Comments

DRINK > WINE DRINK > WINE > Cabernet Sauvignon DRINK > WINE > Merlot

DRINK > Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

I am not going to pretend to be any kind of expert on the wine of Bordeaux and there are many vastly more experience wine writers who have reviewed this wine in the past and given their reviews. But in December of 2023 at a wonderful degustation/omakase dinner at the quite incredible 'Sushi-M' this was…

ByAl ManakJanuary 19, 20240Comments

DRINK > WINE DRINK > WINE > GSM

DRINK > Charles Melton – Nine Popes 2018 (and 2013)

The wines made by Charles (or Charlie) Melton and his team in the Barossa Valley are special. I clearly recall a visit to the winery with an American friend and colleague (I was introducing him to the wines for the first time) on tasting the Nine Popes he just stopped for a moment, sighed and…

ByCrispyJanuary 18, 20240Comments

DRINK > WINE DRINK > WINE > Chardonnay

WINE > Ruinart Blanc de Blanc Champagne NV

My favourite bubbles by a very long way are Ruinart. I like some of the others but there is something quite especially delicious about the Ruinart Blanc de Blanc, so I thought perfect opportunity to learn a little more about the wine.

ByJames CampbellDecember 18, 20230Comments

DRINK > WINE DRINK > WINE > Pinot Noir

WINE > Apsley Gorge, Pinot Noir 2020 (95/100)

Apsley Gorge Vineyard was founded in 1990 by former abalone diver and lobster fisherman Brian Franklin. He planted Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes on a 7 hectare plot of land near Bicheno on Tasmania's east coast at the entrance to the Apsley Gorge. Apsley Gorge Winery sits right on the sea at Bicheno. WINERY The region…

ByCrispyDecember 12, 20230Comments

DRINK > WINE DRINK > WINE > Chardonnay

WINE > A. Rodda Willow Lake Chardonnay 2021 (92/100)

The Willow Lake Vineyard Chardonnay from A.Rodda is consistently amongst the top chardonnay's in the country and the 2021 release is another excellent release. Some people maybe asking why are you reviewing the 2021 not the 2022 release, well that is because that is the one I am drinking right now. 2021 was an important…

ByCrispyDecember 11, 20230Comments

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