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Top of the drops: Wine and beer reviews 2019

Wines and brews reviewed by Good Food drinks experts Huon Hooke and Ralph Kyte-Powell.

33 stories
Textural riesling has more weight, more density, more flesh on the bones.

Three rieslings that break the mould

  • Huon Hooke
Autumn vines at Craggy Range Vineyards in Hawke's Bay.

Three red wines from New Zealand's shiraz heartland

  • Ralph Kyte-Powell
New Zealand's Marlborough district produces outrageously pungent sauvignon blanc.

The many faces of sauvignon blanc

  • Huon Hooke
Chardonnay is the second most widely planted grape variety in Australia, after shiraz.

Raise a glass: Three diverse chardonnays to try

  • Huon Hooke
As Australian winemakers and growers have come to terms with pinot's rather capricious nature, the wines have blossomed.

Australian pinot noir comes of age

  • Ralph Kyte-Powell
A sweet drop.

Three unusual sweet wines

  • Huon Hooke
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Some red wines can be lightly chilled in summer.

Why your red wine needs to chill out

  • Ralph Kyte-Powell
In summer, some red wines can take a chill.

Al fresco reds: Three wines to chill out

  • Ralph Kyte-Powell
These days, there's usually a gold medal or two handed out to non-vintage sparkling wines.

Cheaper bubbles: Three non-vintage sparkling wines to try

  • Huon Hooke
Vintage at Brokenwood vineyard in the Hunter Valley.

All-Australian adventure: Three Hunter Valley semillons

  • Ralph Kyte-Powell
Craggy Range and Te Mata Peak, Hawke's Bay.

The rise of cool-climate shiraz

  • Huon Hooke
Viognier grapes. Brian Walsh

The rise of viognier: Three Australian wines to try

  • Ralph Kyte-Powell
Harvested red grenache grapes during vintage.

Three 'smashable' grenache wines to try

  • Huon Hooke
A new wave of wine in cans has appeared speaking truly of varietal or regional origin.

Full metal jacket: Three wines in cans to try

  • Ralph Kyte-Powell
Nowhere else on the planet can rival Germany's coldest regions for riesling.

Love in a cold climate: Three European rieslings to try

  • Huon Hooke
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Wines with organic certification must be made from grapes grown without added chemicals.

Three wines that are certified organic

  • Huon Hooke
Semillon and sauvignon blanc have a long history together.

Three blends of semillon and sauvignon blanc

  • Ralph Kyte-Powell
The Australian wine industry seems to have all but deserted the big, buttery style so many drinkers still crave.

Big, buttery chardonnays: Three to try

  • Huon Hooke
An olive tree and vineyard on a gentle slope in the Etna region, Sicily.

Back from oblivion: The revival of viognier and other obscure grape varieties

  • Huon Hooke
Good red wines don't need to break the bank.

Winter warmers: Three budget-friendly red wines

  • Ralph Kyte-Powell
No longer the red wine hero, cabernet sauvignon represents good value.

Stylish South Australian cabernet: three to try

  • Ralph Kyte-Powell
Sauvignon blanc has put the Marlborough region of New Zealand on the world wine map.

Marlborough sauvignon blanc: Three to try

  • Ralph Kyte-Powell
Red to white wines.

Top of the drops: Wine and beer reviews 2018

New labels are muscling on to the list of quality Margaret River cabernet sauvignons.

Three upwardly mobile Margaret River cabernets

  • Huon Hooke
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Sparkling wine bubbles.

All that bubbles isn't champagne: Three interesting sparkling wines

  • Huon Hooke
New Yarra Valley wineries are producing stylish wines that don't cost a fortune.

Three Yarra Valley wines that won't break the bank

  • Ralph Kyte-Powell
Red wine is now coming from regions previously considered marginal.

Three wines that should not exist

  • Huon Hooke
Piedmont's famous red grape, nebbiolo.

Three Australian wines that dare to be different

  • Ralph Kyte-Powell
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Three whites with an Italian touch

  • Huon Hooke
Australian winemakers offer outstanding products at both ends of the spectrum.

One to drink, two to keep

  • Ralph Kyte-Powell
Half the finalists for the 2019 Winemaker of the Year award were women.

Three bottles from women winemakers

  • Huon Hooke
Zippy, acidic wines could be considered thirst-quenching.

Three whites to quench a thirst

  • Ralph Kyte-Powell
Gamay is famous as the only permitted grape in France's Beaujolais.

Why gamay is so hot right now

  • Huon Hooke

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Top of the drops: Wine, beer and spirit reviews 2021
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Red to white wines.
  • Collection

Top of the drops: Wine and beer reviews 2018

Wines and brews reviewed by Good Food drinks experts Huon Hooke and Ralph Kyte-Powell.

Amaro, an intensely bitter herbal liqueur, is having a moment.

The bitter truth about amari: Three to try

After a centuries-old history involving monks, mystery ingredients and cure-all claims, the bitter digestive amaro is experiencing a surge in popularity.

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Glasses of wine.
  • Collection

Top of the drops: Wine and beer reviews 2020

Wines and brews reviewed by Good Food drinks experts Huon Hooke and Ralph Kyte-Powell.

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