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Ken Gargett

Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
HERSMB NV Website Bottle Shot ()

Harewood Estate Mt Barker Riesling 2025

Riesling from the Great Southern continues to impress more and more, and these guys are certainly amongst the better exponents...
FRIRET NV Website Bottle Shot

1981 Frontesciaia Etna Rosso 2024

It seems that the gods of the volcano residing in Mount Etna in Sicily are not fussy when it comes...
PCSACR NV Website Bottle Shot

Astrale Chianti Riserva DOCG 2021

A superb vintage for the Chianti region, this is at an impressive price for a Riserva. Varieties? We are advised...
Draycott Reserve Shiraz

Burge Family Winemakers Draycott Reserve Shiraz 2023

Sourced from the Estate’s oldest vines, the final wine is a barrel selection. Maturation is in a mix of new...
Allegiance Wines Local Legend McLaren Vale GSM NV Low Res

Allegiance Wines Local Legend McLaren Vale GSM 2022

From an excellent vintage in the McLaren Vale region, the blend is 29% Grenache, 28% Shiraz and 28% Mataro. Either...
Allegiance Wines The Artisan Coonawarra Shiraz Low Res

Allegiance Wines The Artisan Coonawarra Shiraz 2019

Wonderful to see wines given an extended maturation in the cellar before release, especially when they come from a superb...
Swinney Frankland River Syrah NV Low Res

Swinney Syrah Frankland River 2025

Stunning stuff, especially when you remember that this is not even their flagship Shiraz (or Syrah, if they must). From...
Allegiance Matron Chardonnay ORANGE low res

Allegiance The Matron Orange Chardonnay 2026

Chardonnay from the Orange region in New South Wales, the fruit is sourced from two local vineyards, 90% from Coole...
Allegiance Wines Emily Jane Pinot Grigio ORANGE

Allegiance Emily Jane Orange Pinot Grigio 2026

Pinot Grigio from the cooler climes of Tumbarumba, its proximity to the Snowy Mountains will confirm that this is not...
Riposte Katana Chard NEW NV

Riposte The Katana Chardonnay Adelaide Hills 2025

Excellent value for a quality Adelaide Hills Chardonnay, the fruit comes from a vineyard in the Kenton Valley sub-region. Fermentation...
Riposte Morningstar Chard NV

Riposte Morningstar Chardonnay Adelaide Hills 2025

A high quality Adelaide Hills Chardonnay which will provide thoroughly enjoyable drinking now, whilst it would undoubtedly benefit even further...
Alleanze by Diligo Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio Low Res

Alleanze Della Venezia Pinot Grigio 2025

Pinot Grigio from the Della Venezia region in Italy, this is perhaps a touch more wild child than the school...
Allegiance Wines Alumni Clare Valley Riesling NV LR

Allegiance Wines Alumni Clare Valley Riesling 2025

Clare Valley Riesling from a vintage which continues to impress. The wine has a very pale lemon hue, while the...
Allegiance Wines Fortuity Sparkling Shiraz NV low res

Allegiance Wines Fortuity Sparkling Shiraz NV

Who doesn’t love a good Sparkling Shiraz? Apparently there are some people, but we only have to look at the...
Allegiance Wines Fortuity Sparkling Cuvee Chardonnay Pinot Noir NV low res

Allegiance Wines Fortuity Sparkling Cuvée NV

A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from South Australia, this is a thoroughly enjoyable sparkler. Lemon/yellow, there is good...
Allegiance Wines Fortuity Prosecco NV low res

Allegiance Wines Fortuity Prosecco NV

The team behind this Prosecco from South Australia have used it to celebrate such occasions as not being crushed by...
EATGSVROS

Eight at the Gate Single Vineyard Rosé 2025

Rosé from a single vineyard in the Wrattonbully region in South Australia, the grape used here is Cabernet Sauvignon. The...
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Eight at the Gate Single Vineyard Pinot Gris 2025

A Pinot Gris made very much in a clean, fresh and youthful style, the fruit here is sourced from a...
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Eight at the Gate Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2024

Wrattonbully Chardonnay from a single vineyard which does not see any oak. Deep lemon/straw, the nose exhibits notes of stewed...
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Eight at the Gate Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2025

A blast from the past as this Wrattonbully Chardonnay is made in the unoaked style, which was so popular a...
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Eight at the Gate Single Vineyard Shiraz 2022

The concept behind this single vineyard Shiraz from Wrattonbully is a wine destined for a barbecue with friends or Friday...
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Eight at the Gate Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Wrattonbully Cabernet from a single vineyard which has the benefit of several years’ maturation by the team, before release, making...
EATGFSCHA

Eight at the Gate Family Selection Chardonnay 2024

The Family Selection range is the team’s prestige collection. This is an impressive Chardonnay from Wrattonbully from a single vineyard,...
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Eight at the Gate Family Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Cabernet from Wrattonbully has proved an ideal match, especially when it is given a few years’ maturation and is from...

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James&Nat

Main Ridge Estate

Main Ridge Estate is a rather curious winery. Essential to the history of Mornington Peninsula and responsible for decades of...
winery door open bright x
There is surely no wine region in this country which has more elite wineries than Margaret River. The advantage for...
PEN NV SpeRel CabShiraz SouthAus Superblend B Duo Cork

Penfolds Superblend

Every Australian winelover will surely be aware of just how much Penfolds love to release special wines, whether they have...
PEN La Chapelle Grange winemakers barrels

La Chapelle Grange 2022

The second release of this extraordinary Rhone/Aussie blend, crafted by two of the world’s great wineries, Jaboulet and Penfolds, has...
AMW Collection

Appellation Marlborough Wine Announces 2025 Annual Collection

A benchmark selection of certified Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Appellation Marlborough Wine (AMW) has announced its highly anticipated Annual Collection for...
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The Barossa Wine Guide 2026

By Ken Gargett, Andrew Caillard MW and Tony Love The Barossa is unquestionably Australia’s most famous wine region. Certainly not...
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