Having never visited Melbourne before, I’m guessing it took a good dose (ie. a big wineglass full) of Dutch courage for UK sommelier Jack Mullard to move to Melbourne on little more than a whim. After living the high life working for London’s Corney and Barrow (who advised and supplied the likes of Snoop Dogg, Lily Allen and actual royalty with wine) it was time for a change; thus The Tasting Table was born. As they say in respect to art, “I don’t know much about wine, but I know what I like” so this wine shop’s philosophy of try-before-you-buy certainly appeals.

Tastings come at a small, redeemable fee from automatic climate-controlled dispensers. What you sample is recorded on an electronic card (so you can figure out what you drank and liked after a few too many or a few months later). The wines are hand-selected by Jack who has collected unusual drops from across the globe, including Champagne Salon of which only 37 vintages have been bottled in a century. A wine aficionado could sample to their hearts content, while novices who just don’t want to go home with something undrinkable – again – are welcomed into the non-intimidating space.

The shop doubles as a relaxed wine bar so you can select a bottle of vino and sit down to dig into its natural friends; cheese and charcuterie. I spy some tasty looking spirits at The Tasting Table too!

Take a sip at 1219 High Street, Armadale.