A tiny, remote NSW village will host big names for the third annual St Albans Writers Festival in early September. Mad Max director George Miller, literary icon Tom Keneally and Pulitzer winner Sebastian Smee are among stars of the show. Historic St Albans (population 300) is located deep in the Hawkesbury Heartland, on the banks of theContinue reading “Unplug at the St Albans Writers Festival”
Tag Archives: Wine
300 years of Wine O’Clock in the Rhône
It’s exactly 300 years since these 40 acres on the baking hot floor of the Rhône Valley were first settled for the purpose of producing wine. In 1715 the Granier family decided this was a good spot, and planted vines. I’m in the Château Les Quatre Filles vineyard in the south of the valley. FromContinue reading “300 years of Wine O’Clock in the Rhône”
World’s best barista pays homage to Clonakilla wines
Meet Tim Kirk, owner and winemaker at the much sought after Clonakilla out the back of Australia’s capital, Canberra. The cool southern tablelands produce some of the best shiraz in the country.
Balmain’s beaut The Cottage Bar and Kitchen
The Cottage Bar and Kitchen is a warm, neighbourly space to drink and dine in Sydney’s trendy/quaint inner suburb of Balmain. Our verdict: We’ll be back.
Tasting cool Chile
I go to a Chilean cooking class and discover smoked chilli, a spicy quinoa dessert and Carmenere wine from the longest country in the world, yet to be discovered by tourist hordes. Here’s the recipes.
Roberts restaurant gardening chef
Robert’s Restaurant executive chef George Francisco grows his own veges, taking the concept of sustainable produce to a whole new level for this Hunter Valley icon.
World wine travel map of 2050
Say bye to Napa Valley and hello to Chateau Russia. Climate change will alter the wine map by 2050.
Happy as a cheese roll in Otago
This blessed region of southern New Zealand has it all. In autumn it’s golden and crunchy with a soft heart. Love.
Gordes village of Provence is gorgeous
One day Peter Mayle came home to find Japanese tourists in his Provence swimming pool. He moved, somewhere near the village of Gordes but I can’t say precisely where.
Victoria wine festivals
Victoria’s wine festivals in February and March 2013 will celebrate pinot noirs and decades of wineries in the southeast Australian region.