The Secret Garden was one of my favourite childhood storybooks. Now Brown Brothers have brought a more grown up version to life with their pop-up Hidden Vineyard. I entered the space – at the utterly transformed Establishment Studios – to whispers from fellow guests of “it’s magical” and “genius”. Essentially […]
How to buy (& drink) Prosecco
Prosecco is to the Italians what champagne is to the French (sans the pricetag). At a recent masterclass hosted by Brown Brothers, I learnt a thing or two about the sparkling elixir; most notably that you don’t have to be a master of wine at all to enjoy it. Here’s a few […]
Diary: Taste of Melbourne
I had my first ever Taste of Melbourne experience last night. Shameful I know since it’s been running for years, but a fitting time to visit as the global “restaurant festival” is rejuvenated by moving to a new alfresco location. And there’s plenty of liquid sustenance for barflys among the […]
200 years worth of champagne
What is a celebration without champagne? Especially when said celebration is all about champagne! Founded in 1812 when Eugene Laurent and Mathilde Emilie Perrier fell in love and married, French house Laurent Perrier celebrates 200 years of wine-making this year. For a lucky few select Australian devotees this meant a chance to sip a […]
Space…the final frontier (for Whisky)
Scottish distillery Ardbeg recently launched a limited edition Whisky dubbed ‘Galileo’ after the genius Italian astronomer. Their launchpad; 1806. Fierce space invader battles were played out while mint juleps served in spacebags and experimental honey lemon shots (that were mind-bendingly hot and cold simultaneously) we used to toast the launch. The […]
Day of the Dead Festival 2012
The first Day of the Dead Festival has premièred in Melbourne, launching at the new Cellar Bar in the basement of St Kilda’s Newmarket Hotel. Intended to be a annual event, the festival is derived from Mexico’s tradition Dia De Los Muertos. Likened somewhat to Halloween, the Day of the Dead is a time when […]
GQ Speakeasy presents Belvedere Unfiltered
The crystal-like space of Mon Bijou was transformed for one night only into a darkly seductive speakeasy as GQ magazine hosted a launch for Belvedere’s newly released unfiltered vodka. Bartenders weren’t shy about showing off the potent vodka; serving powerful martinis, manhattans and a cucumber smash cocktail that put hair on my chest […]
A Very Curious Springtime Soiree. By Brown Brothers
I have a connection with Brown Brothers. It may have been the first winery I ever visited with my parents as a child. I remember the three hour roadtrip to Milawa with my siblings on hot leather carseats and the dense scent of resin-soaked oak barrels once we arrived. But […]
Frocktails: Melbourne Spring Fashion Week
Cocktail hour traditionally starts at five, but attendees at MSFW know what it is to be fashionably late. Melbourne Spring Fashion Week starts their official afterparties at 8pm. MSFW Emerging and Designer Series ticket holders can enjoy the following afterparty offers along with the obligatory model-spotting; Tuesday 4th – Terra […]
An invitation: 1806 book launch
Anyone who has spent much time flipping through the chronological cocktail menu at 1806 would realise it is possibly the best way in which to garner an education in history. Ever striving to stay true to classic recipes, the bar has published their very first book; “World History as Seen Through […]