by Norris Waters | Dec 7, 2021
The best Champagnes are wonderful. Made from fully ripe grapes and a judicious dosage, if any at all. They are however, incredibly intense, concentrated and deep in flavour, so much so that it’s hard to knock it back in 40 degree heat, or drink more than a glass... 
by Norris Waters | Dec 4, 2021
It is a truism that dog owners look like their dogs. The breed is etched into the fabric of the owner. Winemakers are no different. Their personalities, philosophy, politics, dress, you name it are etched into the liquid they produce. This is not meant to imply... 
by Norris Waters | Nov 26, 2021
Pinot Noir outside Burgundy has never been more diverse, exciting and rich in expression. Rippon, from New Zealand’s Central Otago region, crafts structured, tense, ethereal and decadent pinots to rival the finest of the Cote d’Or. The estate’s DNA ... 
by Norris Waters | Nov 16, 2021
Chardonnay is made everywhere in Australia, and to a very high standard. Very few regions however are able to boast genuinely unique styles, or at least a regional typicity. The same can be said of Burgundy, where warm, early vintages have increased the diversity... 
by Norris Waters | Nov 8, 2021
Traditions and typicity are key to our understanding of classic wine regions. Style, flavours, textures and classifications are signposts and, to a degree, a generalisation of what may be in the bottle. The acceptance of the VDP by the German wine fraternity and wine... 
by Norris Waters | Oct 26, 2021
“In every genuine man, a child is hidden that wants to play”. Ain’t that the truth. Nietshke it seems, understood a part of our pscyche (genuine man, or woman that is), that clutched and thrashed for the playful in our stiff, structured and serious... 
by Norris Waters | Oct 21, 2021
I first came across Douro reds in the UK, around the early 2000’s. Quinta do Crasto comes to mind, and they were excellent. Full bodied and round, they wore the sun on their shoulders. Not the scorching stab of mid afternoon Australian sun, but a warm, cosy coat... 
by Norris Waters | Sep 14, 2021
Some wines and their makers are entire unto themselves. They may be varietal, classic even and will no doubt share many characteristics with their neighbours. You may be able pick the region, vintage and winemaking, and yet, they are not like their neighbours. These... 
by Norris Waters | Aug 8, 2021
Italy’s greatest grape? One way or the other, Nebbiolo makes much of the country’s greatest, most sought after and most delicious wines. Consistency of quality, an iron rule for this wine lover, has never been better. Sangiovese for example can be priced... 
by Norris Waters | Jul 3, 2021
Whisson Lake was recommended to me by Matt Herod, Sommelier at the Shangri La Hotel in Sydney and who also acts as a trade representative for Tyrrells wines. A man as passionate for wine as he, had much to say of Whisson Lake. So I listened. If Ashton Hills pioneered... 
by Norris Waters | Jun 13, 2021
Twenty years ago, and no doubt for many years prior, producers in the Langhe were invariably described as modern, traditional or a combination of the two. Nicholas Belfrage’s seminal work, Barolo to Valpolicella would categorise every producer according to their... 
by Norris Waters | Jun 2, 2021
I first tasted Eva Fricke’s wines almost 20 years ago, in the good old days when anything from Germany was cheap (save the cars). So cheap in fact, that the quality to price ratio was common talk in the UK wine trade. It’s been twenty years since, and has... 
by Norris Waters | May 21, 2021
The Australian importer of Joh. Jos. Prum once described wine as “bottled energy”, reminding me of Kenneth Clark’s description of a William Blake engraving, Glad Day. He writes “nothing could be more paradoxical than that he should have found... 
by Norris Waters | Apr 18, 2021
With just 5 hectares of vines and making around 2000 cases of wine a year, Antoine Jobard is a tiny producer of some of the finest Meursault. Francois, Antoine’s son is now making the wines, and the changes have been subtle. Change is often abhorred,... 
by Norris Waters | Mar 17, 2021
Newness in wine is highly prized. New producers, styles, vintages and reviews focus the wallet, and it is a special pleasure to drink the latest releases of a treasured favourite. This is only the second release of Swinney’s wine we have been a part of and... 
by Norris Waters | Feb 23, 2021
Put simply, great producers make great wine. So when offered a taste of Tyrrell’s new single vineyard releases, I was excited. I have tasted releases of these wines many times, and they have all been delicious, but a taste of these seven wines left me convinced... 
by Norris Waters | Feb 1, 2021
‘Classic’ is an epithet to be found in vintage reports, tasting notes and producer profiles. European producers and wine regions in particular are more likely to be described as classic. The truth is, and Beaujolais is no exception, that the idea of what... 
by Norris Waters | Jan 2, 2021
Before even tasting a wine, all of us bring some fixed assumptions of what it will taste like. Generally, we’ve chosen the wine because of these assumptions – for pairing with food or because we feel like a certain wine. So when we opened two bottles of... 
by Louise Waters | Nov 15, 2020
The recent dining out restrictions meant we had to give more thought to dining at home and Bistro in the Burbs was born! Delicious home cooked meals with fabulous matching wines – what could be better? Sometimes modest, other times grand and not always perfect. But... 
by Norris Waters | Nov 10, 2020
Recently, as I was about to pour a glass of Scarborough Yellow Label Chardonnay, a friend gripped my hand and said “I don’t like Chardonnay”. No problem, I’ve got some Chablis in the fridge. Do you like Chablis? “I love Chablis”.... 
by Norris Waters | Nov 3, 2020
It’s that special time of the year when you want everything to be perfect. We’ve put together this handy guide to help you match the perfect wine to your festive feast. Whether you’re having turkey and all the trimmings or a seafood spread, pick one... 
by Norris Waters | Oct 20, 2020
The most discussed subject in the wine industry is climate change, and not the story of what’s in your glass. People are gifted with senses and the ability of expression and yet we have become obsessed with what can only be described as an existential threat. As... 
by Louise Waters | Oct 5, 2020
The recent dining out restrictions meant we had to give more thought to dining at home and Bistro in the Burbs was born! Delicious home cooked meals with fabulous matching wines – what could be better? Sometimes modest, other times grand and not always perfect. But... 
by Norris Waters | Sep 30, 2020
A friend of mine once said that rosé is rosé, and they’re all crap until you find a good one; and when you do, that’s the one you drink! According to him, no matter the grape, style, price or country of origin, they couldn’t be judged like other wines because... 
by Norris Waters | Sep 15, 2020
There is no escaping the commentary surrounding vintages. Knowing a bit often makes you feel like you know a lot, and enough to draw foregone conclusions. After reading various comments and articles about the 2018’s from Joh Jos Prum, I feel compelled to add to... 
by Norris Waters | Sep 4, 2020
Orange has never lived up to expectations. We visited recently, confirming for ourselves its status as a region full of potential, but one yet to truly define itself. Our visit to Rikard Wines was a bit of a light-bulb moment – delighting in the discovery of a... 
by Norris Waters | Aug 20, 2020
Wine assessment and tasting is by its nature opaque. Countless factors will affect a wine at any showing, and if you were to re-taste the wine, in another context, your conclusions might be very different. To avoid discrepancy and possible misrepresentation, process... 
by Norris Waters | Aug 4, 2020
Atypical vintages and atypical work conditions present challenges and opportunities for the vigneron. Discussion of vintages, their characteristics, merits and downsides are analysed and agonised over by wine lovers. However, it is always what’s in the bottle... 
by Norris Waters | Jul 29, 2020
All wine lovers, all humans, love to get their money’s worth. There are producers, regions, vintages, styles and countries with whom value is synonymous. I have long believed that, typically, you are more likely to find good value in whites than reds. Regions... 
by Norris Waters | Jul 15, 2020
I have wanted to taste the wines of Julian Haart for several years. Flicking through a newsletter from Mosel Fine Wines is always an informative experience, but it can be hard to tear yourself away from the familiar and famous names. I now have a rule that I rigidly... 