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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.

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...

Seneca Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

This is the first release from Seneca Vintners, a collaboration between Stuart Richardson and Will Shelmerdine. With fruit sourced from...

Chaffey Bros. Wine Co. Lux Venit Rosé 2020

It’s not always the case that you can’t tell a book by its cover, especially when it comes to wine....

Chalmers Pecorino 2020

Wait, isn’t pecorino a delicious sheep’s milk cheese? Well yes, but it’s also a grape variety; a particularly charming one from...

Domaine William Fèvre Saint Bris 2017

When is Chablis not Chardonnay? When it’s Saint Bris! This is sauvignon blanc from the ultra cool climate of Northern...

Rizzi Barbaresco DOCG 2017

Young Piedmontese nebbiolo can be a bit divisive with its ‘pay attention to me’ tannins, and fruit hiding in the...

Pierre Gimmonet Rosé de blancs 1er Cru Brut NV

Grower Champagne is all the rage but it can sometimes be a bit hit and miss.  Gimmonet applies the grower philosophy...

Santa & D’Sas …ish Dolcetto 2018

Dolcetto is an Italian grape variety that comes from Piedmont, the same part of Italy as the famed nebbiolo. It’s...

Deviation Road Loftia Brut 2017

2017 was a perfect year for sparkling wine in the Adelaide Hills. A long, cool growing season allowed beautiful flavour...

Roederer et Philippe Starck Champagne Brut Nature 2012

Sustainability is a big focus in Champagne and Louis Roederer is leading the way. A unique house in that they...

Brown Brothers Shiraz Mondeuse & Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Have you heard of Mondeuse? No, I hadn’t either. It’s been around for a while though; the vines used for...

Brown Brothers Origins Series Dry Rosé 2020

Rosé is often a bit of an afterthought – fruit from a vineyard that doesn’t get ripe enough, or juice...

Failing at Life ‘Partly Cloudy’ Pet Nat 2019

There’s nothing unusual about a sommelier turning their hand to winemaking. Rarely though is a first attempt as delightful as...

Langmeil Massimo Montepulciano Primitivo 2019

Langmeil have built their reputation on traditional varieties from the Barossa region; shiraz, grenache, cabernet sauvignon and riesling. The recent...

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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