Five Great Australian Wines

I thought it was time I wrote about a few of my favourite new world wines. As I was lucky enough to live in Australia for three years on a work assignment what better place to start than our cousins down under.

As a self confessed Bordeaux addict I was forced to widen my wine horizons in Australia, if for no other reason that they charge huge amounts of tax on anything imported into the country. The effect of this being that a very average bottle of anything from France is equivalent in price to the national debt of a small African dictatorship.

With these financial constraints in mind I threw myself into the Australian wine industry with vigour and was resolutely determined to seek out the good stuff. What took place over the next three years was one of the best overall wine experiences I have had to date. Vineyard visits, wine making education, special tastings and some great wines that will live long in the memory. If ever you find yourself in Australia commit the list below to memory and try a bottle, you won’t be disappointed. You don’t even have to travel half way around the world as some are even available in the UK now. Go on, give them a go!

Yerringberg Chardonnay
The first wine I ordered in a restaurant when I arrived in Australia. A small winery in the Yarra Valley, Yerringberg produces a crisp Chardonnay that remains one of my favourites. Whenever I’m back in Melbourne I always order a bottle with dinner.

Penfolds Bin 707
Famous as one of Penfolds best and righty so as well. Australia’s best example of Cabernet Sauvignon. In a good year comparable to a good quality Bordeaux. A bottle was had one Christmas Day at the Observatory Hotel in Sydney. It made Christmas feel that bit more homely on the other side of the world.

Peter Lehman Stonewell
A Shiraz from the Barossa Valley. Dark, brooding and full. Everything you would want from a good quality Shiraz. This was one of my favourite reds when I was in Australia. I sent a case home from Australia only to come home and find you can now buy it in Waitrose.

Lakes Folly Chardonnay
Lakes Folly is a small winery in the Hunter Valley that produces one of Australia’s best Chardonnays. It’s so good that you will struggle to find any in a good year. If you are able to source some its worth enjoying it with something special, it’s that good.

Leuwin Art Series Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay
Everyone knows about the quality of the Art Series wines from Western Australia. I really enjoyed the citrusy freshness of the Sauvignon Blanc. It was my perfect summer day wine. The Chardonnay produced here is a serious wine which develops a lovely caramel like quality as it ages. A great wine to accompany any fine dining experience

Favourite Five Restaurants

My top five restaurants of the moment:


1) Quay, Sydney Australia
Peter Gilmour’s glorious cooking, spectacular Sydney Harbour, the perfect restaurant

2) Marcus Waring, London UK
Much deserving of its third Michelin star. It can only be a matter of time

3) Helen Darroze, London UK
Just keeps getting better and better with every visit

4) La Sponda, Positano Italy
Perfect summer dining venue over looking the Mediterranean

5) City Zen, Washington DC USA
Wow, no other word for it


If you get the chance try out one or all of them. You won’t be disappointed.

Quay Restaurant - Best in Class

I was asked the other day by a colleague of mine, “What is your favourite restaurant in the world?”. My answer seemed to shock them. I think they expected me to cite some three Michelin starred Mecca of cooking. However, when I confidently declared my favourite to be Quay Restaurant in Sydney Australia I was greeted with an astonished “Really!!!” by my colleague. I felt I had to justify my choice and why I hold Quay in such high regard.

To begin with, it’s the location. On the first floor of the passenger terminal in Sydney harbour its perched on the edge of Circular Quay with the harbour bridge to its left and opera house to its right. Located in the middle of these two great landmarks in the worlds most beautiful harbour there can be no other location to match it.

In a setting such as this it’s easy to get carried away and neglect the food for the sake of the view. However Peter Gilmour’s cooking is not only a compliment for the views across the harbour, it rivals them, no, surpasses them. There are many restaurants dotted around Sydney Harbour, however Quay is the only one where the view takes a backseat to the food. Dishes combine modern Australian cooking with some Asian influences and a few unexpected twists which keep the interest levels ticking over.

The atmosphere is one of relaxed confidence. The front of house team really does need to be applauded for creating an environment where customer enjoyment of the whole experience is paramount. Everything is assured and refined without being cocky or arrogant. I guess when you are this good in such a location you don’t need to try and be something you are not.

The wine list has it all. Australian classics, the lesser known local wines, New Zealand, American, South African etc etc. There are also the obligatory French big hitters if you want to hammer your finances. One of my favourite wines that I had here was Lakes Folly Chardonnay. One of the best Australian Chardonnays there is.

Finally, Quay has my favourite dish ever. The pork belly with shitake mushrooms, abalone and silken tofu is just mesmeric. I have been back to Quay time and time again and cannot stop ordering this. It has to be tried to be believed. It’s a simple dish yet the various flavours and textures compliment each other so well.

Summing up, Quay has it all. Great quality, interesting and creative cooking, faultless wine list, the perfect backdrop of Sydney harbour and an atmosphere that I have not come across in any other restaurant around the world. It simply is perfect. There’s no other way to describe it.

By the time I had finished explaining why I chose Quay my colleague was in the process of applying for visas and airline tickets to Australia!

Favorite Five Hotels

My top five hotels of the moment:


1) The Westbury, London UK
Art Deco at its best just off Bond Street. The Polo Bar is fantastic with one of the best Champagne by the glass lists in London.

2) Le Sirenuse, Positano Italy
Absolute perfection. There is nothing else to say.

3) The Oriental, Bangkok Thailand
An absolute classic. Try afternoon tea in the Authors Lounge or one of the magical evening buffets by the riverside

4) The Connaught, London UK
Fantastic refurbishment. Great rooms, bar, restaurant, service, what more could you need. Pure refinement.

5) Shangri La Kerry Centre, Beijing China
Great business hotel. Everything the travelling executive could want. One of the best and liveliest bars in Beijing.


Go on, treat yourself to a long weekend or week in one of them!