Mike Bennie

Austin

Contributor at Halliday Wine Companion

Wine and drinks writer and presenter. P&V Merchants. Brian wine.

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Articles

The Granite Belt: Mike Bennie on why this overlooked Queensland wine region is well worth your attention

4 weeks ago | winecompanion.com.au | Mike Bennie

The Granite Belt wine region is unique and individual, with a dizzying array of grape varieties, bucolic vineyard settings and a dedicated core of quality producers that challenge expectations and offer an impressive vinous exploration. While Queensland and wine aren’t necessarily synonymous to some, the region and its distinctive wines deliver a kaleidoscopic offering that ranges from terroir-driven noble varieties to avant garde interpretations through the lens of lesser-sung grape varieties.
Oxygen in winemaking: Mike Bennie explores whether it's a friend or foe

1 month ago | winecompanion.com.au | Mike Bennie

Oxidative winemaking is one of the oldest and most intriguing techniques used in the winemaking world. While risky, and also often misunderstood when not directly linked to classic styles – a growing trend amongst avant-garde winemakers is to apply oxidative approaches and techniques to produce wines that offer depth, complexity, character and a sense of saline, briny minerality.
Chinese Wines Are Showing Up In Restaurants Across Australia

1 month ago | broadsheet.com.au | Mike Bennie

China is starting to make its mark on the global wine stage, carving out a reputation for both quality and creativity. And yet, despite a winemaking history that stretches back millennia, it’s only in the last few decades that a broader, more dynamic wine industry has begun to emerge. While China has long been associated with classic winemaking – bold red wines in particular – a quiet revolution is being led by younger generation of boutique winemakers who are leaning into more avant-garde styles.
Another Round: Savagnin

Jan 21, 2025 | winecompanion.com.au | Mike Bennie

Savagnin wineSavagnin stumbled into Australia through a twist of fate when a group of ambitious winemakers, eager to plant the popular Iberian variety albariño, found that the material sent to Australia by the supplying nursery was actually the distinct Jura variety savagnin. It was during the 2000s that this albariño-savagnin chicane occurred. Growers were left scratching their heads with broad disappointment, wondering where to go.
Five To Try: Mike Bennie’s Top Drinks for Summer 2024–25

Nov 27, 2024 | broadsheet.com.au | Mike Bennie

Five To Try: Mike Bennie’s Top Drinks for SummerThis season, the wine and drinks writer is smashing back a sessionable low-ABV beer, an “utterly delicious” sparkling wine, and a peachy, pretty and pink pét-nat. For this summer’s outdoor drinking, I’m leaning into ultra-cool, thirst-quenching drinks of a light and fresh nature.
Another Round: Lambrusco

Jun 25, 2024 | winecompanion.com.au | Mike Bennie

There was an epoch in Australian drinking history where lambrusco wines were drunk with gusto; from backyards, poolside, picnics and parks to red-and-white-checked tablecloth suburban Italian restaurants, the ruddy-coloured, foamy, sweet sparkling reds seemed ubiquitous for casual drinking. Unfortunately, these cheap, cheerful and somewhat sugary offerings were overtaken by superior sparkling wines. It’s no wonder it got its unkind moniker of ‘Italian Coca-Cola’.
Four Drinks To Try: Mike Bennie’s Top Winter Warmers

May 7, 2024 | broadsheet.com.au | Mike Bennie

While my repertoire of winter drinks may not be the baseline for others, it’s inherent that I try to keep up the diversity of options of the warmer months with a roster that includes beer, wine, spirits and non-alcoholic options. Sure, the libations I opt for during cooler days may deepen in flavour, become more generous in texture, but I try to shake off the almost instinctual approach to fixing being cold with red wine alone. Diversity and interest is key.
Big Fella

Apr 9, 2024 | onyamagazine.com | Mike Bennie

By Mike BennieAbove: Neil Ashmead GTS Grand Tourer ShirazI know I’m not an averaged sized guy. Skinny jeans, tight t-shirts and tailored jackets all are an anomaly in my wardrobe and I have the gait of a person that moves with force rather than dexterity. I played rugby for years and enjoy the fine art of lifting heavy shit in gyms.
Grenache Panache

Apr 9, 2024 | onyamagazine.com | Mike Bennie

By Mike BennieHardly the world’s sexiest grape, and by no means stable in personality, Grenache is often maligned for its sweeter, simpler tones and at times syrupy texture. However Grenache in Australia comes from sterner stuff. Some of South Australia’s oldest vines are Grenache producing and though often overlooked on the production line for more saleable grapes like Shiraz, Grenache comes into its own when handled astutely.
Damp February is your key to a mindful month of booze

Jan 21, 2024 | gq.com.au | Mike Bennie

HOME / LIFESTYLE / FOOD AND DRINKA dry month doesn't have to be the only solution to taking time off the grog. For legendary wine expert Mike Bennie, cutting back for Damp Feb is the way to go. Shopping Shopping style promotions A note about relevant advertisingWe collect information about the content (including ads) you use across this site and use it to make both advertising and content more relevant to you on our network and other sites. This is also known as Online Behavioural Advertising.