The rise and rise of Bin 407, culminating in the mind-blowing 2008, has been an enthralling spectacle. 2009 presents a different personality altogether. McLaren Vale leads here (with strong support from Coonawarra, Robe, Mt Benson, Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley). The pronounced theme is of cool cabernet: lots of mint, lifted violets, blackcurrants, tobacco and […]

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There is an inherent control in this wine that lifts it above its inaugural 2008 release. An inky, black thing, laced with impressive black plum, black cherry and rhubarb fruit of great persistence, aligned with well-defined, finely textured tannins. Milk chocolate notes are as much a reflection of Marananga shiraz as they are of oak […]

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This is the ultimate, multi-purpose dirt cheap wine glass for catering for the masses. It’s fine and reasonably balanced, with a capacity of 400mL, giving it great dexterity to handle reds, whites and even fizz. Unfortunately, the rim is rolled rather than cut, but you can’t have everything for $1.32! I bought 200 for functions […]

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At this price it’s cheaper to buy than to hire three times – so you’ll never be caught with those horrid little chunky hire glasses again! Like the standard wine glass above, it’s impressively delicate for the price, made in the Netherlands and somehow smuggled into our country at such a price it’s almost disposable. […]

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In a past life that we’d all rather forget, the ISO glass was the benchmark tasting glass for every wine show. Thank goodness we’ve moved on! They’re far too small to really flatter any wine style but they are worth having on hand for two reasons: Fortified wines and picnics. These are my all-purpose family […]

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I own all manner of decanters but my favourite is a simple laboratory conical flask. These are made tough (typically from Pyrex, Bomex or borosilicate glass), dishwasher safe and virtually unbreakable. The wide neck version makes for easy decanting and easy cleaning. These come in every size from shot glass to gargantuan, so next time you […]

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The Magnum is now the standard for every self-respecting wine show in the country. I use these for all my wine courses and whenever I’m entertaining more than forty people at home. I’ll trust the finest reds and whites in my cellar to this glass. It’s big, fine, cut and flatters every wine style but […]

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If you’re kitted out with Magnums, this is the only other glass you really need. Fine, delicate and cut, this is my all-purpose sparkling glass that I’ll keep on the table until the end of the meal, when it swings back into action and doubles brilliantly for dessert wines and fortifieds. If you’re serious about […]

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This is my standard red wine tasting and drinking glass. It’s a step up from the magnum, with its longer stem (better balanced) – and it’s lead crystal. I can’t afford sets of these for the masses, but if I’m opening a special bottle for a few mates, this is the glass to do the […]

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This is my house white wine glass and my favourite glass for aromatic whites. It’s everything I love about the Vinum Bordeaux glass, scaled down by just the right amount for white wines. It’s also surprisingly flattering for sparkling wines – so much so that I prefer it for champagne over the Ouverture Champagne Glass. […]

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