Andrew Zuccala

1 week ago | winecompanion.com.au | Andrew Zuccala

There’s always plenty happening in Australia and New Zealand’s wine, beer and spirits industries. Wineries open up new cellar doors, distillers, brewers and winemakers release limited-edition products, and drinks festivals announce exciting lineups throughout the year. Here, we roundup a few of the top things that have happened this week in local wine, beer and spirits spaces.

1 month ago | concreteplayground.com | Andrew Zuccala

You love your mum, and if you're looking for ways to spoil the leading lady in your life, we're here to help. Because let's face it — your favourite underground bar is a bit too dingy, and your go-to ramen joint is a bit of a lazy pick for the woman who gave you, you know, life. This is your chance to deliver something momentous and memorable — and earn some serious brownie points on the side.

2 months ago | winecompanion.com.au | Andrew Zuccala

The annual release of Yarra Yering’s ‘core four’ wines is always hotly anticipated. These wines are consistently celebrated by wine enthusiasts, and our Tasting Team regularly scores them within the high 90s. Thankfully, the 2023 vintage – which was released on April 1 – has met these high expectations. It consists of the 2023 Dry Red Wine No. 1, 2023 Dry Red Wine No. 2, 2023 Underhill Shiraz and the 2023 Agincourt Cabernet Malbec.

2 months ago | winecompanion.com.au | Andrew Zuccala

Best’s Great Western is poised to release the 2020 vintage of its most prestigious wine – the Thomson Family Shiraz – on Thursday, May 1. The team has been producing this wine since 1992, sourcing fruit from just 15 rows of old shiraz vines that were planted in 1868 by Henry Best. The vines yield fewer than two tonnes per acre, and are hand-harvested and hand-sorted. Traditional winemaking methods are also honoured in the winery – like hand-plunging the ferments in small open fermenters.

2 months ago | winecompanion.com.au | Andrew Zuccala

Giaconda has become a Beechworth legend – consistently making some of the country’s best wines which are prized by local and international collectors. And the coming four releases are expected to be just as sought after. These include the 2023 Estate Vineyard Chardonnay, 2023 Estate Vineyard Roussanne, 2023 Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir and the 2022 Beechworth Nebbiolo.