Food & Wine
epicureBloggers and plodders
John Lethlean ‘Whose leg do you have to hump to get a free meal around here?’
Chardonnay is back, but new wave
REBECCA PUDDY Lean, leggy and with just a hint struck-match aroma, Australia’s new wave of chardonnays are gaining the advantage.
cakeLet them eat chocolate cake
Stephanie Alexander This old French recipe, sometimes known as Queen of Sheba’s cake, is so simple it can be made on a whim.
restaurantPedigree mongrel
John Lethlean The bold and disparate food at this upmarket Adelaide restaurant is let down by the peripherals.
Colour and creativity
SUSAN KUROSAWA I am well ensconced at Tumbling Stone where bartender Liam is mixing me a Negroni, the best I’ll have tried, he says.
20 sparkling and champagnes
James Halliday Six of Australia’s eight best sparkling wines are from Tasmania. Of the remaining two, one is destined to move there.
20 reds over $25
James Halliday Shiraz from across the nation dominates the expensive reds bracket, although Grange takes top points (and price).
20 reds under $25
James Halliday Finally, some roses and pinot noirs are giving shiraz and cabernet sauvignon a run in the affordable bracket.
20 whites over $20
James Halliday Clare Valley loses its grip on the nation’s best rieslings while the Hunter Valley dominates semillon.
20 whites under $20
James Halliday Plenty of reislings and chardonnays among this year’s bargain whites, but a Pokolbin semillon takes the top points.
Beer: The art of craft
Peter Lalor There’s never been a more exciting time to be a beer drinker. Make the most of it. Here are our 20 best brews.
The ripe stuff
James Halliday It’s been a big year for Australian wine. And the only way is up.
A glass act
Ross Bilton A wine glass that doubles as a prop for impromptu impersonations of a famous detective. Who doesn’t want one of those?
The collectors
Max Allen It’s a big step to build a wine cellar. But then comes the fun part – filling it.
The vine changers
Sue Neales, Max Brearley They risked it all to live the dream – and don’t regret a thing.
Wine knows no gender
Max Brearley One of Margaret River’s leading female winemakers says she only wants to compete with the best.
Just muddling along
SUSAN KUROSAWA This year everywhere I venture there is a buzz about cocktail craftsmen, alcohol alchemists and mixologists.
Roll out the barrel
Here’s a toast to Shaun Gibson’s well-toasted barrels, which help elevate some Barossa wines to greatness.
lambRock the rack
David Herbert Spice up the seasonal staple with some fresh herbs and a salad of bulgur and pomegranate.
A glass act
Ross Bilton A wine glass that doubles as a prop for impromptu impersonations of a famous detective. Who doesn’t want one of those?
