Upcoming Events

  1. New World takes on Old World classics with Huon Hooke (Sydney)

    The title of this dinner is a phrase with new resonance in the 21st century as Australian winemakers embrace more of the wonderful but long-neglected grape varieties of Old World countries. Join Huon Hooke on Wednesday, 18th of May 2022 at Corso Brio by Bel & Brio in Barangaroo, Sydney for a line-up of great wines and discussion of our innovative interpretations of these venerable varieties.

    SOLD OUT

  2. Wine Classification of Australia Tastings (Sessions 1, 2, 5)

    *NEW* Session 4 (May 31): Chardonnays, shiraz and blends. Join principal reviewer Huon Hooke and contributors, and taste some of the great wines for The Real Review’s inaugural Wine Classifications of Australia and NZ.

    AUD $129

  3. Wine Classification of Australia Tastings (Session 4, Tue 31 May)

    *NEW* Session 4 (May 31): Chardonnays, shiraz and blends. Join principal reviewer Huon Hooke and contributors, and taste some of the great wines for The Real Review’s inaugural Wine Classifications of Australia and NZ.

    AUD $129

  4. Inaugural Wine Classification of New Zealand Tastings Session 1 (Tuesday 14 June)

    (June 14 & 15) Join principal reviewer Bob Campbell MW and guests Stephen Wong MW and James Rowan, and taste some of the wines for The Real Review’s inaugural Wine Classifications of New Zealand. This is a chance to taste rare, back-vintage wines.

    NZD $129

Watch The Real Review LIVE

This week on The Real Review our focus is on McLaren Vale, that great region just to the south of Adelaide where a large quantity of really lovely, soft, voluptuous shiraz fruits is produced. Around 60% of the grapes grown in McLaren Vale are shiraz, so it’s a big part of their lives down there. Today we’re looking at three examples of shiraz from three different vintages and three different wineries. Paralian Blewitt Springs Shiraz 2021 Full wine review: https://www.therealreview.com/wines/305481/ Matched with black pepper-crusted beef fillet: https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/black-peppercrusted-beef-fillet-20111018-29v57 Heirloom Vineyards McLaren Vale Shiraz 2020 Full wine review: https://www.therealreview.com/wines/306811/ Matched with: roasted venison with redcurrant glaze: https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/roasted-venison-with-redcurrant-glaze-20111018-29uxj Mr Riggs J.F.R. McLaren Vale Shiraz 2019 Full wine review: https://www.therealreview.com/wines/295593/ Matched with Chinese-style braised pork belly: https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/chinesestye-braised-pork-belly-recipe-20171002-gyt4n8 Check the link below to see other wine videos: https://www.therealreview.com/watch/ _________________ L I K E & S U B S C R I B E → https://www.youtube.com/TheRealReview?sub_confirmation=1 F O L L O W → https://www.instagram.com/therealrvw/ → https://www.facebook.com/TheRealRvw → https://twitter.com/TheRealRvw → https://www.linkedin.com/company/therealrvw/ Get #TheRealReview on good wine and good food www.therealreview.com
YouTube Video UExsWDBoX2ZvT1dicHlFb0NNTm9tSzRBZEJVNDFRRDFUcS4yQjZFRkExQjFGODk3RUFD

McLaren Vale: Three shirazes

This is McLaren Vale week at The Real Review. Today we’re tasting two interesting wines side by side which both represent classic styles of the McLaren Vale region. They are grenache shiraz mourvèdre blend: d'Arenberg The Ironstone Pressings 2018 and Hardys Tintara Cabernet Sauvignon 2019. Cabernet is probably not as famous in McLaren Vale as shiraz and grenache but it has a history in the region which is just as long. Some of the most distinguished and famous wines in history have been cabernets and cabernets blends of McLaren Vale. d'Arenberg The Ironstone Pressings 2018 (GSM) Full wine review: https://www.therealreview.com/wines/304978/ Matched with roast rack of lamb with rosemary salt: https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/roast-rack-of-lamb-with-rosemary-salt-20181218-h1996j Hardys Tintara Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Full wine review: https://www.therealreview.com/wines/290199/ Matched with lamb tagine with quince: https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/lamb-tagine-with-quince-20131031-2wkxj Check the link below to see other wine videos: https://www.therealreview.com/watch/ _________________ L I K E & S U B S C R I B E → https://www.youtube.com/TheRealReview?sub_confirmation=1 F O L L O W → https://www.instagram.com/therealrvw/ → https://www.facebook.com/TheRealRvw → https://twitter.com/TheRealRvw → https://www.linkedin.com/company/therealrvw/ Get #TheRealReview on good wine and good food www.therealreview.com
YouTube Video UExsWDBoX2ZvT1dicHlFb0NNTm9tSzRBZEJVNDFRRDFUcS4yQUJFNUVCMzVDNjcxRTlF

McLaren Vale: Classic GSM and a cabernet

The two wines that we’re looking at today are both from McLaren Vale and they are both grenache. Grenache is one of the undersung varieties of McLaren Vale which is now enduring a resurgence of popularity. In fact, the price of grenache grapes in the last couple of years has exceeded the price of shiraz grapes for the winemakers to buy. That’s the indication of the demand that’s now on grenache. We have two contrasting examples: McLaren Vale Week wines: Shingleback NX GEN Grenache 2021 Full wine review: https://www.therealreview.com/wines/305133/ Matched with vegetarian mushroom stroganoff pot pie: https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/vegetarian-mushroom-stroganoff-pot-pie-20210601-h1w7p6 Dandelion Vineyards Faraway Tree McLaren Vale Grenache 2020 Full wine review: https://www.therealreview.com/wines/306867/ Matched with rabbit and potato stew: https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/rabbit-and-potato-stew-20111018-29uih Check the link below to see other wine videos: https://www.therealreview.com/watch/ _________________ L I K E & S U B S C R I B E → https://www.youtube.com/TheRealReview?sub_confirmation=1 F O L L O W → https://www.instagram.com/therealrvw/ → https://www.facebook.com/TheRealRvw → https://twitter.com/TheRealRvw → https://www.linkedin.com/company/therealrvw/ Get #TheRealReview on good wine and good food www.therealreview.com
YouTube Video UExsWDBoX2ZvT1dicHlFb0NNTm9tSzRBZEJVNDFRRDFUcS40QzRDOEU0QUYwNUIxN0M1

McLaren Vale: Two grenaches

This week in The Real Review, we’re talking about McLaren Vale. The articles, the reviews are all focused on this region. McLaren Vale is of course one of the great traditional areas of South Australia and one of the oldest and best established wine regions in the country. It was established around 1838. McLaren Vale has been refocusing itself on red varieties. There was a time when they grew riesling, sauvignon blanc and other white varieties. You won’t see much of pinot noir there now but what you’ll see is 90% red grapes grown in the area. Shiraz has always been a backbone of the region but also grenache. McLaren Vale Week wines: Shingleback NX GEN Grenache 2021 Full wine review: https://www.therealreview.com/wines/305133/ Matched with vegetarian mushroom stroganoff pot pie: https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/vegetarian-mushroom-stroganoff-pot-pie-20210601-h1w7p6 Dandelion Vineyards Faraway Tree McLaren Vale Grenache 2020 Full wine review: https://www.therealreview.com/wines/306867/ Matched with rabbit and potato stew: https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/rabbit-and-potato-stew-20111018-29uih d'Arenberg The Ironstone Pressings 2018 (GSM) Full wine review: https://www.therealreview.com/wines/304978/ Matched with roast rack of lamb with rosemary salt: https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/roast-rack-of-lamb-with-rosemary-salt-20181218-h1996j Hardys Tintara Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Full wine review: https://www.therealreview.com/wines/290199/ Matched with lamb tagine with quince: https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/lamb-tagine-with-quince-20131031-2wkxj Paralian Blewitt Springs Shiraz 2021 Full wine review: https://www.therealreview.com/wines/305481/ Matched with black pepper-crusted beef fillet: https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/black-peppercrusted-beef-fillet-20111018-29v57 Heirloom Vineyards McLaren Vale Shiraz 2020 Full wine review: https://www.therealreview.com/wines/306811/ Matched with: roasted venison with redcurrant glaze: https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/roasted-venison-with-redcurrant-glaze-20111018-29uxj Mr Riggs J.F.R. McLaren Vale Shiraz 2019 Full wine review: https://www.therealreview.com/wines/295593/ Matched with Chinese-style braised pork belly: https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/chinesestye-braised-pork-belly-recipe-20171002-gyt4n8 Check the link below to see other wine videos: https://www.therealreview.com/watch/ _________________ L I K E & S U B S C R I B E → https://www.youtube.com/TheRealReview?sub_confirmation=1 F O L L O W → https://www.instagram.com/therealrvw/ → https://www.facebook.com/TheRealRvw → https://twitter.com/TheRealRvw → https://www.linkedin.com/company/therealrvw/ Get #TheRealReview on good wine and good food www.therealreview.com
YouTube Video UExsWDBoX2ZvT1dicHlFb0NNTm9tSzRBZEJVNDFRRDFUcS41MzY4MzcwOUFFRUU3QzEx

McLaren Vale Week

This week on The Real Review, Bob Campbell MW is looking at Waipara wine region in North Canterbury. It's a rather unique spot as far as wine growing is concerned. It's on the coast but sheltered by hills from sea breezes, which increases the heat exposure of the vines. The soils are glasnevin gravels, which are free draining and low fertility, producing high quality wines. Watch Bob taste Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir 2019 from Waipara in North Canterbury. Waipara is about an hour drive north from Christchurch. Full wine review: https://www.therealreview.com/wines/293188/ matched with duck breast and figs https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/duck-breast-and-figs-20111018-29ull Check the link below to see other wine videos: https://www.therealreview.com/watch/ _________________ S U B S C R I B E → https://www.youtube.com/TheRealReview?sub_confirmation=1 F O L L O W & L I K E → https://www.instagram.com/therealrvw/ → https://www.facebook.com/TheRealRvw → https://twitter.com/TheRealRvw → https://www.linkedin.com/company/therealrvw/ Get #TheRealReview on good wine and good food www.therealreview.com
YouTube Video UExsWDBoX2ZvT1dicHlFb0NNTm9tSzRBZEJVNDFRRDFUcS5DRUQwODMxQzUyRTlGRkY3

North Canterbury: Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir 2019

Today we’re tasting three red wines from the Hunter Valley. All made with the classic Hunter red grape variety, shiraz. The wines come from different producers and vintages. - Mount Pleasant Old Paddock & Old Hill Shiraz 2018 Full wine review: https://www.therealreview.com/wines/265459/ Matched with cheese souffle https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/cheese-souffle-20111018-29uge - Brokenwood Hunter Valley Shiraz 2019 Full wine review: https://www.therealreview.com/wines/286244/ Matched with Neil Perry's slow-braised shoulder of lamb https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/neil-perrys-slowbraised-shoulder-of-lamb-20140509-381s6 - Hungerford Hill Classic Series Shiraz 2020 Full wine review: https://www.therealreview.com/wines/293501/ Matched with Japanese steak tartare https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/japanese-steak-tartare-20120814-29tu1 Check the link below to see other wine videos: https://www.therealreview.com/watch/ _________________ L I K E & S U B S C R I B E → https://www.youtube.com/TheRealReview?sub_confirmation=1 F O L L O W → https://www.instagram.com/therealrvw/ → https://www.facebook.com/TheRealRvw → https://twitter.com/TheRealRvw → https://www.linkedin.com/company/therealrvw/ Get #TheRealReview on good wine and good food www.therealreview.com
YouTube Video UExsWDBoX2ZvT1dicHlFb0NNTm9tSzRBZEJVNDFRRDFUcS5DNkMwRUI2MkI4QkI4NDFG

Hunter Valley: Three shirazes

This week in The Real Review we’re featuring the Hunter Valley. This region is of Australia's famous long-established wine regions, very well-noted for white wines. The famous varieties being semillon, which is unique in the world, chardonnay and verdelho. Today we feature a semillon and two chardonnays: - Tyrrell's Winemaker's Selection Vat 1 Hunter Semillon 2016 Full wine review: https://www.therealreview.com/wines/259781/ Matched with scallop ceviche https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/scallop-ceviche-20141228-3n9h2 - Briar Ridge Briar Hill Chardonnay 2019 Full wine review: https://www.therealreview.com/wines/297168/ Matched with Donna Hay’s miso grilled chicken rice bowl https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/miso-grilled-chicken-rice-bowl-20191101-h1jb4a - Keith Tulloch Field Of Mars Block 6 & 4 Chardonnay 2018 Full wine review: https://www.therealreview.com/wines/297213/ Matched with fettuccine with smoked salmon https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/fettucine-with-smoked-salmon-20130808-2rhy1 Check the link below to see other wine videos: https://www.therealreview.com/watch/ _________________ L I K E & S U B S C R I B E → https://www.youtube.com/TheRealReview?sub_confirmation=1 F O L L O W → https://www.instagram.com/therealrvw/ → https://www.facebook.com/TheRealRvw → https://twitter.com/TheRealRvw → https://www.linkedin.com/company/therealrvw/ Get #TheRealReview on good wine and good food www.therealreview.com
YouTube Video UExsWDBoX2ZvT1dicHlFb0NNTm9tSzRBZEJVNDFRRDFUcS45NkVENTkxRDdCQUFBMDY4

Hunter Valley: A semillon & two chardonnays

This week in The Real Review we’re featuring the Hunter Valley. Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest established, continually producing wine region. It was established in the 1820s and still going strong. Several wine companies have over a hundred years of history. It’s an old region but definitely not a stale one. There’s constant renewal there with new winemakers coming up, new people, new generations, lot’s of energy and activity. It’s very exciting to see new styles of wines and winemaking techniques emerging! Featured wines: - Tyrrell's Winemaker's Selection Vat 1 Hunter Semillon 2016 Full wine review: https://www.therealreview.com/wines/259781/ Matched with scallop ceviche https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/scallop-ceviche-20141228-3n9h2 - Briar Ridge Briar Hill Chardonnay 2019 Full wine review: https://www.therealreview.com/wines/297168/ Matched with Donna Hay’s miso grilled chicken rice bowl https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/miso-grilled-chicken-rice-bowl-20191101-h1jb4a - Keith Tulloch Field Of Mars Block 6 & 4 Chardonnay 2018 Full wine review: https://www.therealreview.com/wines/297213/ Matched with fettuccine with smoked salmon https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/fettucine-with-smoked-salmon-20130808-2rhy1 - Mount Pleasant Old Paddock & Old Hill Shiraz 2018 Full wine review: https://www.therealreview.com/wines/265459/ Matched with cheese souffle https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/cheese-souffle-20111018-29uge - Brokenwood Hunter Valley Shiraz 2019 Full wine review: https://www.therealreview.com/wines/286244/ Matched with Neil Perry's slow-braised shoulder of lamb https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/neil-perrys-slowbraised-shoulder-of-lamb-20140509-381s6 - Hungerford Hill Classic Series Shiraz 2020 Full wine review: https://www.therealreview.com/wines/293501/ Matched with Japanese steak tartare https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/japanese-steak-tartare-20120814-29tu1 Check the link below to see other wine videos: https://www.therealreview.com/watch/ _________________ L I K E & S U B S C R I B E → https://www.youtube.com/TheRealReview?sub_confirmation=1 F O L L O W → https://www.instagram.com/therealrvw/ → https://www.facebook.com/TheRealRvw → https://twitter.com/TheRealRvw → https://www.linkedin.com/company/therealrvw/ Get #TheRealReview on good wine and good food www.therealreview.com
YouTube Video UExsWDBoX2ZvT1dicHlFb0NNTm9tSzRBZEJVNDFRRDFUcS4zQzFBN0RGNzNFREFCMjBE

Hunter Valley Week

Cellar Talk

New and Noteworthy

Winery Spotlights

Opinions

Wine People

Recently Tasted

Wine Spotlights

Food

Regional Spotlights

Wine Insights