This Month
- Max Allen
- Life & Leisure
Two Australians walked into a French cellar, and this happened
Leanne De Bortoli and Steve Webber arrived unannounced on Charles Fourny’s doorstep 10 years ago, with the result his fine bubbly is available Down Under today.
- Max Allen
Max Allen answers 38 wine questions you were too afraid to ask
The AFR’s award-winning drinks writer provides the ultimate guide to buying, drinking, serving and storing wine.
- Max Allen
- Opinion
- AFR Magazine
Champagne or sparkling: Max Allen’s taste test results revealed
Our expert takes a bunch of champagnes and a bunch of top Australian sparkling wines, pops the corks and puts them to a blind taste test.
- Max Allen
Max Allen answers your questions about serving and storing wine
The AFR’s award-winning drinks writer talks us through all questions about serving and storing wine, like ‘can I put ice cubes in my wine’ to ‘which wines do I need to decant’?
- Max Allen
Max Allen answers your questions about buying wine
The AFR’s award-winning drinks writer talks us through all questions about buying wine, from ‘is cask wine any good?’ to ‘what’s the most overrated type of wine?’
- Max Allen
Max Allen answers 12 of your basic wine questions
The AFR’s award-winning drinks writer talks us through all the questions you were too afraid to ask, like, ‘what is natural wine’ and ‘do hangover drops really work’?
- Max Allen
Max Allen’s nine steps for ordering wine at a restaurant
Choosing wine when dining out might sound pretty basic, but there’s more choice than ever before and much more thought going into matching wine and food.
- Max Allen
August
- Opinion
- Life & Leisure
The niche wine that’s perfect with oysters
Steve Feletti farms oysters. Then, in France, he discovered the wine grape that elevates them. Today, his picpoul wines are winning over oyster lovers.
- Max Allen
July
- Opinion
- Life & Leisure
You’ve never tasted luxury champagne like this
The cellar masters at two of France’s top champagne houses are usually locked in fierce competition. But there’s one thing they agree on.
- Max Allen
May
Here’s what to drink in the premium lounges of these five airlines
Whether you’re in Melbourne Airport’s Qantas first-class enclave, or those of Air New Zealand, Emirates, Etihad or Singapore Airlines, this is what you should pour.
- Max Allen
Nine great wines for Mother’s Day
Whether she’s a fan of sparkling or red or white wine, this selection caters for most tastes and all budgets.
- Max Allen
February
How an old-school SA winery found its hipster groove
Coonawarra royalty Penley is a prime example of how once-revolutionary winemaking methods have rippled right through the Australian industry.
- Max Allen
February
The ‘supremely delicious’ secret reason to visit the UK
England is now home to almost 200 wineries and 900 vineyards, covering 3600 hectares. Who knew?
- Max Allen
This legendary composer created a soundtrack for Krug champagne
The French house’s latest vintage comes with a soundtrack from Japan’s most celebrated living composer, Ryuichi Sakamoto.
- Michael Bailey
December 2022
Your guide for what to do on New Year’s Eve
There are plenty of bookings available at some of the best restaurants, bars and clubs around the country to enjoy the sights and sounds of New Year’s Eve.
- Gus McCubbing
Got $20k? These are the most exclusive NYE tickets still available
Making last-minute plans for New Year’s Eve? The top picks left in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane include a luxury hotel with unbeatable fireworks views.
- Gus McCubbing
Five of the best rosé champagnes (all under $250)
As sales of still and sparkling pink wine rocket around the world, our drinks expert has found five that are perfect for your festive table.
- Updated
- Max Allen
October 2022
Polar blast, RBA threaten to drench Melbourne Cup party
Corporate and political heavyweights at the Melbourne Cup will keep an eye on the RBA rate decision on Tuesday, as wild weather looms.
- Patrick Durkin
Tasmania’s flute bubbles over
The key to the state’s excellence in fizz – and triumph in the nation’s sparkling wine awards – is, of course, the climate.
- Max Allen
May 2022
Redefining luxury: How green is my expensive red wine?
For today’s consumers, a rarefied price point is not enough. Production has to be environmentally friendly and socially equitable too.
- Max Allen
