Best wine app Australia? Here are my top 4.

If you are anything like me, you try a LOT of wine. So much wine that you tend to forget which wines you have tried. Sometimes, I also feel like I can't articulate how I feel about a wine as well as someone else can. That is why I appreciate…

Sauvignon Blanc Vs Pinot Grigio – What’s the difference?

Sauvignon Blanc comes in many styles. From the beautiful, delicate and iconic Sancerre of the Loire Valley in France (which is also home to Pouilly-Fumé, Menetou-Salon, Reuilly and Quincy) to the aromatic, fruity styles from New Zealand. Sancerre…

Sangiovese Vs Syrah Vs Shiraz – Three names, two grape varietals!

Sangiovese, Syrah, Shiraz. What are they? Where are they grown? Can they be blended? You may or may not be surprised how many people ask whether Sangiovese is the same grape as Shiraz.. I know...it sounds crazy but why should we be surprised?…
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Wine Importers – French, Italian, Chilean, and More!

As we approach the 10 year anniversary of Direct Wine Cellars, we were in a reflective mood so I decided it was time to explain why we do what we do and how it all began. Towards the end of 2007 and into 2008, I was finishing quite a long…

5 Must try Spanish Varietals!

With so many wines to choose from these days, many of the Spanish varietals are overlooked. Probably the most popular varietal here in Australia at the moment is Tempranillo, which exhibits sour cherry, plum and black pepper characters. But…

Here are a few of our favourite French wines that are not from Boredueax!

Did you know that 70% of people's 'favourite' French wine brands are all from Bordeaux? I mean, that's great...I mean, I wouldn't turn my nose up at any of the first growth Chateaux! Nothing gets my heart pumping with excitement more than a…

3 reasons why you should ALWAYS drink Champagne out of a Magnum

Lately, I've been caught drinking a lot of Champagne out of Magnum rather than standard bottle. Even though the truth behind it is probably the fact I can usually drink 2 bottles of Champagne anyway, here are three reasons why I do believe drinking…

Pinot Noir – Why we are obsessed with it!

Whether it's from France, Germany, Italy, Tasmania, Western Australia, Victoria, New Zealand, Chilé or the USA, we have really become obsessed with Pinot Noir in Australia. So obsessed that there are entire festivals that travel from state…

Wine Labels – Next time you pick up a bottle, check for these 5 things!

Are you ready to try a range of different wines apart from the basic Shiraz and Chardonnay but are nervous about where to start? Here are 5 tips to reading wine labels from around the world. 1. Who is the producer? This can be obvious splashed…

Let’s Compare Champagne Glasses Vs Champagne Flutes!

Champagne is special. It deserves to be enjoyed in the best way possible and this means it's important to serve and drink Champagne out of the correct glass. A big question is always glass or flute? On a personal level, I like flutes.…