Nola James

Hobart

Freelance Writer at Freelance

Just here for the pitch leads.

Articles

A taste of the Tamar for wine lovers

1 month ago | decanter.com | Nola James

Snaking along Tasmania’s Tamar river, or Kanamaluka in palawa kani, the reconstructed language of the island’s Aboriginal people, the Tamar Valley wine region is just a pup – vines may have arrived in the mid-1800s, but the industry didn’t bloom until the 1980s. It’s on the map now, though. Legendary local winemaker Ed Carr won two Platinum awards for his sparkling wines at the 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards.
The Elite Brekkie Muffin at Hobart Bakery Six Russell Puts Macca’s on Notice

Feb 16, 2025 | broadsheet.com.au | Nola James

In March 2020, just days before the world shut down, the owners of Hobart Cantonese institution Me Wah, The Tso family, snapped up a tenancy on Russell Crescent in Sandy Bay as the site of their next venue. Then, for almost four years, nothing. Well, not quite nothing. The Tso family also managed to snap up Kobi Ruzicka, owner of Hobart fine diner Dier Makr and its adjacent wine bar, Lucinda, to spearhead the new venture. Ruzicka says the family’s persistence paid off.
How Tasmania produces some of the world's best seafood

Feb 7, 2025 | flipboard.com | Nola James

How Tasmania produces some of the world's best seafoodOysters, abalone, sea urchins — Tasmania’s brisk waters produce some of the world’s best seafood with briny ingredients being reclaimed and reinvented on east Asian-inspired menus by Indigenous chefs. There aren’t many capital cities where you can go 10 minutes out of town and be in the snow, or …
How Tasmania produces some of the world's best seafood

Feb 7, 2025 | nationalgeographic.com | Nola James

This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). There aren’t many capital cities where you can go 10 minutes out of town and be in the snow, or under a waterfall,” says skipper Tomas Thiele as he steers our canary yellow touring boat down the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. You can tell Tomas grew up in Tasmania because he can pronounce D’Entrecasteaux. I’ve lived here for years and I still can’t. He also knows where to find two highly prized exports.
Eat the Invaders Wants Us To Reconsider Invasive Species

Dec 4, 2024 | broadsheet.com.au | Nola James

Ever wondered what it would be like to eat a cane toad? How about a camel, or a cat? Eat the Invaders, a new six-part series coming to the ABC in January, puts some of Australia’s most problematic species on the plate. Hosted by Tony Armstrong, the documentary-style show explores the environmental impact of introduced species through the eyes of historians, biologists, hunters, chefs and Indigenous custodians.
Fiji’s Royal Davui Island Resort Promises Luxurious Seclusion at Every Turn

Nov 28, 2024 | qantas.com | Nola James

Recently refreshed, this adults-only retreat promises luxurious seclusion. The island rises from Fiji’s luminous Beqa Lagoon like a secret tree house, thatched roofs peeking through tropical foliage. One kilometre of protected marine area surrounds Royal Davui Island Resort, which welcomes just 32 guests at any one time (none of them children).
Meet the new wine glass modelled on a jet engine

Nov 6, 2024 | decanter.com | Nola James

Melbourne-based glassware producer Denver & Liely, which shot to fame 10 years ago with its cult whisky glass, has added an A$200 (£105) wine glass to its collection. The hand-blown crystal vessel went through eight years of R&D before it’s November 2024 launch. In that time, the company perfected a beer glass, a gin glass, a bourbon glass and an agave glass.
What Does it Take to Become a Master Sommelier?

Sep 29, 2024 | qantas.com | Nola James

September 30, 2024By Nola James Only eight people in Australia can call themselves a master sommelier but as these top somms will tell you, achieving excellence is a group effort. Finding one of Australia’s eight master sommeliers working a restaurant floor is rare but Tokyo-born, Melbourne (Naarm)-based sommelier Yuki Hirose, who oversees wine for Lucas Restaurants (Society, Kisumé and Chin Chin among them) makes time to do just that.
Where to Drink, Eat and Stay in Rioja, Spain

Jul 31, 2024 | qantas.com | Nola James

In Rioja, just over an hour’s drive from Bilbao in northern Spain, two grapes reign supreme: tempranillo and viura, known as rioja and rioja blanco respectively. The region, which stretches along the Ebro River from La Rioja to Basque Country, has about 65,000 hectares of vines, more than 570 wineries and 70 or so castles. While wines made in Rioja – pronounced “ree-oh-ha” – are sold worldwide, we’re not here for the mass-market releases.
Still at Freycinet Brings Nordic Style to Tasmania’s East Coast

Jul 30, 2024 | broadsheet.com.au | Nola James

A slow approach works best at Still at Freycinet, a luxury three-bedroom seaside retreat around two hour’s drive from nipaluna/Hobart in Coles Bay on Tassie’s east coast. But slow does not have to mean solitary – there’s room for 10 guests and you’re just minutes away from wineries and world-class walks. While not strictly an adults-only proposition, the house was designed to suit grown-up tastes, with a glass-walled Danish-style sauna at its heart.