Christmas in July is the perfect time to indulge in a holiday treat. Brighten up the gloomy days with a winter fest fit for kings. There’s no need to wait around for Santa Clause to deliver the goods when you can make the meal so easily. And forget the North...
Muddling is wonderful and simple way to meld the flavours of cocktail ingredients together. By taking note of just a few simple tips, you'll be muddling your way to your favorite cocktail in no time. The first step is the muddler itself. Traditionally, a muddler is made from unvarnished wood...
A delicious cocktail comes alive when presented with a fabulous garnish. In fact, without a garnish, there might just be something missing. Who can imagine a Bloody Mary without a celery stick, or a Martini without its olives? The trick is to balance the traditional with the creative, and with...
While Sauvingnon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon, Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio and Verdelho are the white wine varieties more commonly consumed around the Australian dinner table, some of the world's most popular whites are gaining popularity in Australia. Chenin Blac This wonderful grape hails from the Loire Valley in France. Chenin Blanc's high...
While perhaps lesser known in Australia, the following types of red are heroes in their countries of origin and are becoming increasingly popular in Australia. Tempranillo - Tempranillo is a black grape variety from the Rioja region of Spain, where it has traditionally been used to produce full-bodied wines. The...
From the rich to the fruity, liqueurs come in a wide range of flavours, textures and qualities, and differ from spirits due to their usually sweet palate and lower alcohol content. Recipes for liqueurs have been found in Egyptian tombs and ancient Greek scrolls, but it is primarily the monks...
A spirit is an alcoholic beverage that is distinguished by the distillation process, which was first developed as early as 1 A.D. Unlike the fermentation process that characterises wine and beer, distillation produces ethanol from the base ingredient, such grains, fruits or vegetables, without added sugar. Spirits are generally grouped...
A fortified wine differs from other wines in that it is 'fortified' with additional alcohol during the production process. Fortified wines include Port, Marsala, Madeira and Sherry. Fortified wines have been produced in Australia for many years. In the Barossa Valley in South Australia, Grenache grapes have been used for...
