Renowned drinks writer Max Allen returns to the Drinks Adventures podcast this episode, three years on from our interview launching his last book, Intoxicating: Ten Drinks That Shaped Australia.
Max’s new book that we’ll be discussing today is called Alternative Reality: How Australian Wine Changed Course.
It explores the Australian wine industry’s rapid embrace of non-mainstream grape varieties over the last two decades, which can all be traced back to 2001 in Mildura, north east Victoria, where a group of visionaries launched the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show.
And it includes comprehensive information about the 150 different grape varieties currently grown in Australia: what the wines made from these grapes taste like, and who the best producers are.
It’s another engaging and enlightening conversation with Max in which we also consider whether these emerging grape varieties could ultimately challenge the dominance of mainstays like shiraz, chardonnay and friends in the top echelons of Australian fine wine.
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Tasmanian whisky stalwart Hellyers Road crowfunds new chapter
World champion gluten-free beer: Two Bays Brewing
A whisky nerd turns pro: Rod Berry of Amber Lane Distillery
Chef Michael Ryan's spirits venture, Beechworth Bitters
F1 star Valtteri Bottas and Corrina Wright of Ihana Wine
Chuck Hahn returns with Chuck & Son's Brewing Co
Stupendous Savagnin with Crittenden Wines
Distillers toast 20 years at April conference
How craft beer turmoil is impacting supplier Bintani
Tarac unveils debut whiskies made for blending
Andrew Caillard MW on his wine opus, The Australian Ark
My whisky ethos: Lark Distilling CEO Satya Sharma
Sparkling shiraz, Australia’s own wine style
Champion cider maker Tim Jones turns hand to vinegar
Drinks trends with Lion innovation director, Chris Moschos
Foraging botanicals with Darwin Distilling
Dr Rachel Barrie, legendary Scotch whisky master blender
Rise of Grenache, with Jimmy Watson winner Hentley Farm
Classifying Australia’s top wines, with Huon Hooke
Professor John Rasko AO, founder Two Doctors Whiskey
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