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Nicole Bilson

Nicole loves wine. So much so that she gave up a successful career in Pharmacy, perfected her spitting technique, and moved from sunny Queensland to the wine-drenched laneways of Melbourne. Stints in hospitality, wineries, retail, sales and marketing filled the next few years while Nicole built her knowledge and searched for the right path. She completed the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Diploma in 2016 and became a certified WSET Educator the following year. She now juggles a number of roles including teaching people about wine, curating wines lists for restaurants and bars, judging in Australian wine shows and, of course, writing. In 2016 she won the Negociants Working With Wine writing award and has since contributed to Gourmet Traveller WINE, Halliday Wine Companion Magazine and Nourish Magazine.

Oliver’s Taranga Tempranillo 2020

This wine oozes black cherries, so ripe they are ready to burst. Sultry, spicy, smoked cola, and slow-roasted beef aromas...

Vinea Marson Barbera 2019

Oooh I just want to keep smelling this! There’s cherry compote, freeze dried raspberries, red frogs, cola, inky dark blueberries,...

Vinea Marson Friulano #7 2017

Winemakers in the Friuli region of north-east Italy have been making skin contact wines well before it was cool (you...

Brown Brothers Prosecco Premium Brut NV

Prosecco is adored for its sparkling fun and zesty fruit, often fairly straightforward and simple. But Prosecco can also be...

Devil’s Corner Resolution Chardonnay 2018

Wild chamomile and lemon blossoms lead into aromas of intensely concentrated yellow nectarines, and a mound of lemon rinds –...

atmata Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2021

This Sauvignon Blanc is the latest addition to atmata’s organic, vegan, minimal intervention and very affordable range. Atmata means ‘essence from...

De Bortoli Petit Moscato NV

Designed to be enjoyed now, The Muscat family, quite a diverse group of characters, are often used to make Moscato...

Pachamama Chardonnay, Yarra Valley VIC 2020

Callie Jemmeson and Nina Stocker, the duo behind Pachamama, sure know how to make Chardonnay. Last year’s vintage was a...

2019 Pachamama Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley

Callie Jemmeson and Nina Stocker are the dynamic young winemakers behind the Pachamama label. They work with growers to make...

Robert Mondavi Private Selection Rum Barrel Aged Merlot 2018

As I swirled the glass, plum jam and toasty oak filled the air. There’s black cherries and blackberries with the rum...

Robert Mondavi Private Selection Buttery Chardonnay 2019

I think chardonnay might be my favourite white variety. I adore it for its versatility and range of styles. But...

Barossa Boy Little Tacker Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2018

As I pour the wine it immediately offers up sun-warmed yellow-fleshed plums. There’s Sarsaparilla – if you grew up in...

Brokenwood Rosato 2021

Red wine in winter, white and rosé in summer, sparkling wine for celebrations. Is it just me, or do you...

Barossa Boy Lifeblood Shiraz 2017

I have a friend that regularly protests her dislike of Barossa Shiraz. “It’s too big, too bold, too much alcohol”....

Squitchy Lane Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018

One of the things I love about the Yarra Valley is that there is always something new to discover. Or...

Voyager Estate Chenin Blanc 2020

Every now and then a wine comes along that captivates from the first swirl. I barely needed to raise the...

Reed Knife Edge Shiraz 2020

Shiraz is a remarkably versatile variety. It can be like a massive, comforting hug filled with sweet baking spices or...

Il Modo Anfora Rosso 2019

Winemakers Maree Collis and Ray Nadeson love the wines from the volcanic soils of Mt Etna in Sicily. The only...

Torbreck Cuvée Juveniles 2019

Crafted from old vines but designed to be drunk relatively young, this wine proves that quality Barossa fruit doesn’t need...

The Quiver McLaren Vale Grenache by The Group 2019

Pink peppercorns and allspice scented cherry compote leaps from the glass – never tried that combo? You’ll have to trust...

The Shadow Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir by The Group 2020

This wine smells like black forest cake – a really dark one made with bittersweet dark chocolate, late season deep...

The Fever McLaren Vale Red Blend by The Group 2019

Rob and Julie Symonds focus on sustainability and grow a variety of grapes on their McLaren Vale farm. This merlot,...

The Murder McLaren Vale Shiraz by The Group 2017

It’s an attention grabbing name, and the label is reminiscent of “The Crows Have Eyes”, but there’s nothing else ominous...

Mitchelton Roussanne 2020

The first swirl took me straight back to the intoxicating aromas of my godmother’s kitchen. She believed in dousing her...

Stories

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One to One by Oxford Landing

I first encountered Oxford Landing in 2015. It was the affordably priced wine on the huge portfolio I was navigating...
OL Riverlife copy

Riverlife by Oxford Landing

Oxford Landing has a long reputation for good, affordable wines, well loved by the glass at the local pub. With...

Chalmers: Future-Proofing Wine

Like it or not, the traditional grape varieties that built Australia’s reputation as a great place to make wine are...

New Vine to Wine range from Mitchelton

There’s romance in a cellar door surrounded by vines and wines that tell the story of their place as Mitchelton...

What makes a wine great – it’s not what you’d think…

It was a bustling Saturday night in one of Melbourne’s hipster suburbs in a raved-about venue. Thick coats, moments before...

Eggstravagant Wines

I was standing in a queue at the checkout when a woman winked at me and said “There’s going to...
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