New Challenges for this Wine Stooge
25 Mar
Curly, Moe and Larry judging wine…
Despite the comical nature of the above photograph, I have had a productive couple of weeks in wine.
Wine Reviews December
3 DecIt is high time that I started channelling my inner Julie Andrews with a few of my favourite things discovered in the last twelve months.
Raindrops on roses and Macedon Chardonnay
Bright copper kettles and Lagrein on a bogged day
Dirty Three Pinot with pure fruit that sings
These are a few of my favourite things
Bibemus honours the Tyrolese
24 SepThe Tyrolese are a lovely and talented people who speak both German and Italian. However with the majority of the population being of Austro-Bavarian heritage, I believe you would hear more ‘Ja ja, das ist eine sehr gut wine‘ in your wine travels through the area. Recently Bibemus decided to pay homage to the wines of Trentino-Alto Adige on a chilly Melbourne evening in the warm confines of Bar Di Stasio. While the group did not dress up in Tyrolean costume, I did my best my playing ‘99 Luft Balloons‘ in the background and practicing my favourite Year 7 German phrase ‘Das ist meine hamburger’ and ‘Mein Leiblingsfach ist Deutsch‘ to the poor sod sitting next to me.
The Massa Effect
20 AugSome months ago I was in raptures during a meeting in Piemonte where I came face to face with a wine figure I admire greatly. He was softly spoken with gorgeous, blue-eyes. His name was Walter and he had me at ‘Ciao’.

Walter Massa of Vigneti Massa
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
25 JunI watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence and
So the days float through my eyes
But still the days seem the same
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They’re quite aware of what they’re going through
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Don’t tell them to grow up and out of it
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Where’s your shame
You’ve left us up to our necks in it
Time may change me
But you can’t trace time
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The latest news for La Donna del Vino is a change in workplace as of the new financial year.
The final page has turned on the enjoyable chapter entitled, “La Donna del Vino does Enoteca Sileno”. Here I have had my biggest lesson on Italian wine as I journeyed from working in the restaurant, to the retail store, to the created position of Wine Marketing Coordinator. Here I shared my love of vino with customers, sommeliers, restaurateurs, wine reps and the people at Enoteca. The seed that started out in 2010 yearning to learn more about Italian wine was truly nurtured. After all the great times, I probably could not thank Enoteca enough for all the opportunities and moments they have offered me.
So why on earth would I leave? As some of you may know, I am a believer of destino. As such, when I was approached with the opportunity to take on the new Wine Manager role at King & Godfree, I found it difficult to say no. This is an exciting project and I am really looking forward to being a part of a new family and culture. Full steam ahead!
This is where you will find me from now on.
Ci vediamo lì, amici.