What a year! I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that it was an ‘interesting’ one to say the least, especially if you work in hospitality, no thanks to the ongoing pandemic! The beginning of the year saw a fresh start at Victor’s Place and Varney Wines in McLaren Vale. This next welcome phase of
After living in Berlin for nearly three years to complete my Sommelier studies and certification, at the end of 2017 I returned to live again in Australia. So inspired was I by the discovery of European organic and more sustainable viticulture - and the tasty and juicy wines it produced - I felt compelled to
The best thing about tasting wine? Tasting it with others… Drinking a bottle of wine with no one else to share it with is boring: in solitude I don’t appreciate the wine as much as I do sharing it in a group. I might assess and appreciate the first glass, but by the second my
So what does a dedicated hospitality worker and a faithful 'somm' do during a pandemic? With no customers to serve, no guests to pour for? What do you do with yourself? It's just not natural to not be running! What does the future hold? These are some of the thoughts that crossed my mind at
So it's been a while since I've had any time to write about my wine adventures, since moving to "God's country", the McLaren Vale wine region in South Australia, back in February 2018. I've been super-busy: moving countries (returning to live in Australia after 3 years in Berlin); exploring my new home and region (and
