Best Drinks in Australia 2021
Love this! Shows savoury almond and flor-like characters on the nose with some dried lemon pith below. The palate has a super fresh and clear, elegant feel. Rich, complex and utterly fascinating. A great example of courageous winemaking.
01. Crittenden Estate Cri de Coeur - 2016 Savagnin
State: Victoria Category: WhiteSweet and malt-driven aroma. Stone fruit confit characters that are deeply appealing thanks to a restrained use of oak. Pleasant to sip.
02. Sullivans Cove Single Malt Whisky - French Oak ex-Tawny Second Fill Single Cask
State: Tasmania Category: WhiskyPronounced acid on the nose. Morello cherry, salted Davidson plum and rose petals on the palate. A splash of soda really showcases the length and breadth of this shrub.
03. Ziggy's Wild Foods - Native Lilly Pilly, Lemon Myrtle & Wild Lavender Shrub
State: New South Wales Category: Soft Drinks, Mixers, Shrubs, CordialsBlood orange, menthol and Campari vibes. Balanced – the sweet and bitter holding hands.
04. Lyre's Non-Alcoholic Spirits - Lyre's Italian Orange
State: New South Wales Category: Non-Alcoholic SpiritsBright, vibrant purple/garnet. Chinese 5-spice, pink peppercorn. Fine palate; tannin present but not overpowering.
05. In Praise of Shadows - 2020 'Mankai' - Touriga Nacional, Graciano, Garnacha
State: South Australia Category: RedLifted floral citrus notes with a good drive of flavour that is clean and refreshing. Absolute purity. Just picked nectarine, fleshy, chalky and delicious.
06. Henschke - 2021 Peggy's Hill Riesling
State: South Australia Category: WhiteLuminous and bright. Slight wheat haze with a light body and Splice-like, pine/lime/ coconut flavour and aromas.
07. The Uraidla Brewery - Future Light Little Pale Ale
State: South Australia Category: BeerShimmering, hazy and luminous in the glass. Subtropical beaches and ocean wilderness with fuzzy guava, coconut and melon on the palate with lovely weight that is perfectly balanced by its refreshing clean finish.
08. The Uraidla Brewery - Cosmic Labyrinth Strong Pale Ale
State: South Australia Category: BeerPoached orchard fruits, nice warm spice. Lots of great flavour going on. Like a boozy apple pie you don't want to end!
09. Wildbrumby - Wildbrumby Baked Apple Liqueur Schnapps
State: New South Wales Category: LiqueurZesty citrus nose with a little mandarin that is fresh and lively. Smashable beer that would pair perfectly with a salty margarita pizza.
10. Heaps Normal - Quiet XPA
State: Australian Capital Territory Category: Non-Alcoholic Beer + Cider
Best Spirits in Australia
- 01.
Archie Rose Distilling Co. - Single Malt Whisky
State: New South WalesTASTING NOTES:
A beautifully integrated example of malt and oak. Young, volatile, and exciting with spice and heat on the finish and a clean bright malt-driven texture that marries the evident quality of ingredients with great attention to detail. - 02.
Wildbrumby - Wildbrumby Baked Apple Liqueur Schnapps
State: New South WalesTASTING NOTES:
Poached orchard fruits, nice warm spice. Lots of great flavour going on. Like a boozy apple pie you don't want to end! - 03.
Bass & Flinders Distillery - Ochre - Fine Brandy
State: VictoriaTASTING NOTES:
Lifted nose with nice citrus despite the obvious dried fruit vibe. Rich in the mouth. Smoky with some dustiness. - 04.
Never Never Distilling Co. - Southern Strength Gin
State: South AustraliaTASTING NOTES:
Gentle juniper nose leads to a powerful explosion of flavour. A classic expression of a juniper-dominant high alcohol gin. - 05.
Sullivans Cove Single Malt Whisky - French Oak ex-Tawny Second Fill Single Cask
State: TasmaniaTASTING NOTES:
Sweet and malt-driven aroma. Stone fruit confit characters that are deeply appealing thanks to a restrained use of oak. Pleasant to sip. - 06.
Never Never Distilling Co. - Stockholm Syndrome Aquavit
State: South AustraliaTASTING NOTES:
Anise and fennel up front, bold and clear. Leads to an integrated palate with caraway and fennel playing in harmony. An excellent example of a savoury northern European style in the spirits category. - 07.
Never Never Distlilling Co - Juniper Freak Gin
State: South AustraliaTASTING NOTES:
Understated but complex and enticing nose, balance of juniper and freshness. Immediately fills the palate, lovely mouthfeel, not too oily but still round. Gentle warmth and drive complete the palate. - 08.
Ambleside Distillers - Small Acre Gin
State: South AustraliaTASTING NOTES:
Light and filigree. Lovely pine and citrus. Delicate and pretty. Excited to see what’s next. - 09.
MORRIS Whisky - Australian Single Malt Whisky Signature
State: VictoriaTASTING NOTES:
Bright and youthful. Creamy lactone characters with a pleasant herbal note throughout. Warming on the palate with a gentle finish. This is a wonderful new make right here! - 10.
Karu Distillery - Morita Chipotle Vodka
State: New South WalesTASTING NOTES:
Earthy, generous vegetal nose. Palate follows through with more of the same. A super interesting direction. Cut lawn and capsicums.
Best Alternative Drinks in Australia
- 01.
The Everleigh Bottling Co. - Palomita, Spritzed cocktail
State: VictoriaTASTING NOTES:
With an agave and smoky saline spark, this has a nice mezcal feel to it that sits well on the palate like a freshly made cocktail at your favourite Mexican joint. - 02.
NON - NON7 - Stewed Cherry & Coffee
State: VictoriaTASTING NOTES:
Brewed hibiscus tea on the nose that carries through to the palate with rich cranberry and red fruit flavours. Very creative and well balanced. - 03.
Sparkke - Hard Lemonade
State: South AustraliaTASTING NOTES:
Hazy, light straw colour with tart, sour lemon on the palate. Dry, sour, and astringent. A wonderfully traditional interpretation of alcoholic lemonade. - 04.
Four Pillars Gin - Double Barrel Negroni
State: New South WalesTASTING NOTES:
Raisin, ginger spice and stewed apricot. It’s a welcome interpretation of an old classic. Warms your soul. - 05.
Taylor & Smith x Dier Makr - Taylor & Smith x Dier Makr // Hanky Panky
State: TasmaniaTASTING NOTES:
Rich, boozy and warming with an intricately layered profile of toffee, dulce de leche and salted caramel. Picture cigars and wood fires. Menthol and anise complement powerful but pleasant tobacco notes. - 06.
Wavee Hard Seltzer - Mango
State: New South WalesTASTING NOTES:
Peaches! Mangoes! Great bitterness, quenching AF, with strong tropical fruit tones on the nose. Well-rounded on the palate. Can taste the flesh. Peachy keen. - 07.
Local Beverages - Spiked Iced Tea - Lemon
State: New South WalesTASTING NOTES:
Champagne-like appearance, mixed berry upfront and good length. Candied lemon on the nose and drinks like your favourite soft drink giant’s lemonade. - 08.
Sunlight Liquor - Gums & Roses Sparkling Mead
State: South AustraliaTASTING NOTES:
Light pink blush in colour. Nice effervescence that fills the palate. Drinkable. Fresh light berries. Some lingering tannins. - 09.
Sunny Eddy - Sunny Eddy Gin Seltzer Lime & Cucumber
State: New South WalesTASTING NOTES:
Perfect clarity, lime juice and lemon zest with some fruit tingle vibes. Refreshing. - 10.
Halo Alchoholic Kombucha - Mango Peach
State: New South WalesTASTING NOTES:
The white grapefruit, white peach and nectarine takes you back to a childhood favourite - Sherbies. There's so much fun dancing around in this glass.
Best Beers & Ciders in Australia
- 01.
The Uraidla Brewery - Cosmic Labyrinth Strong Pale Ale
State: South AustraliaTASTING NOTES:
Shimmering, hazy and luminous in the glass. Subtropical beaches and ocean wilderness with fuzzy guava, coconut and melon on the palate with lovely weight that is perfectly balanced by its refreshing clean finish. - 02.
Sailors Grave Brewing - Biru Sake Kasu & Satsuma Plum
State: VictoriaTASTING NOTES:
Stunning blush colour. Slight haze. Acetic and fresh raspberry aroma and delicious fresh berry flavour. Balanced acidity. A heart starter of a beer. Love this! - 03.
Brick Lane Brewing Co - TOF - Leviathan / Russian Imperial Stout
State: VictoriaTASTING NOTES:
Lovely black in colour; minimal carbonation and complex malt bill aromas lead into flavours of caramel, fig, coffee and date. A warming booze that is balanced with some residual sugar that leisurely coats the glass. - 04.
Ciderday - Premier
State: South AustraliaTASTING NOTES:
Tropicana fruit punch, cloudy and bitter, wild and alive. Lovely apple pie, spice, slight pear and barnyard aromas. Good acid drive. Balanced sweetness. Dry finish. - 05.
The Uraidla Brewery - Half Moon Session Pale Ale
State: South AustraliaTASTING NOTES:
Golden yellow appearance with a medium haze. Bright tropical nose with citrus and coconut notes. Restrained residual sweetness effortlessly balanced by regal bitterness. Enjoyable. - 06.
Exit Brewing - Milk Stout
State: VictoriaTASTING NOTES:
Deep brown in colour. Subtle carbonation. Predominantly dark chocolate aroma, slightly astringent. Solid roast malt balanced with residual sweetness. A well-made expression of this style. - 07.
The Uraidla Brewery - Future Light Little Pale Ale
State: South AustraliaTASTING NOTES:
Luminous and bright. Slight wheat haze with a light body and Splice-like, pine/lime/ coconut flavour and aromas. - 08.
Mismatch Brewing Co - Lager
State: South AustraliaTASTING NOTES:
Brilliant clarity, filtered, sparkling fine bead, noble, savoury spice leaning toward a poached pear. Delicate and totally smashable. - 09.
Mismatch Brewing Co - Session Ale
State: South AustraliaTASTING NOTES:
Light, bright and clear with grassy Australian hops on the palate. Sessionable ale at it finest. - 10.
The Welder's Dog Brewery - Piney Pale Ale
State: New South WalesTASTING NOTES:
Pale straw, super fresh, hopped and cloudy New England-style but not particularly hazy. Intense green apples and soursobs. Beautifully expressed hop character. Could be a tough first beer of the day but a good one to save for later on.
Best Wines in Australia
- 01.
Henschke - 2021 Peggy's Hill Riesling
State: South AustraliaTASTING NOTES:
Lifted floral citrus notes with a good drive of flavour that is clean and refreshing. Absolute purity. Just picked nectarine, fleshy, chalky and delicious. - 02.
In Praise of Shadows - 2020 'Mankai' - Touriga Nacional, Graciano, Garnacha
State: South AustraliaTASTING NOTES:
Bright, vibrant purple/garnet. Chinese 5-spice, pink peppercorn. Fine palate; tannin present but not overpowering. - 03.
Crittenden Estate Cri de Coeur - 2016 Savagnin
State: VictoriaTASTING NOTES:
Love this! Shows savoury almond and flor-like characters on the nose with some dried lemon pith below. The palate has a super fresh and clear, elegant feel. Rich, complex and utterly fascinating. A great example of courageous winemaking. - 04.
Silent Noise - 2021 MF Grenache
State: South AustraliaTASTING NOTES:
Bright berry and cherry fruit nose with some gently leafy elements, sappy as well. Supple and freshly cut red cherry flavours, smooth, even raspberry finish. Plush. Drink now. - 05.
philip shaw wines - 2021 small batch/riesling
State: New South WalesTASTING NOTES:
Sea spray on the nose. Salinity, lime zest and lemon oil, citrus and stone fruits on the palate, with lip smacking acidity and a nice long finish. - 06.
Howard Vineyard - 2021 Cabernet Franc Rose
State: South AustraliaTASTING NOTES:
Pretty pale hue - silk scarf. Lovely acid line. Tart wild strawberry palate. Subtle. Moreish. Makes you want to sit on the deck of a boat at sunset. - 07.
Battles Wine - 2021 'Blendaberg' Riesling, Gewurztraminer & Pinot Grigio
State: Western AustraliaTASTING NOTES:
Aromatic, slatey and textural. Bright and zingy acid. Concentrated flavour with a rich and lingering phenolic structure that imparts texture and complexity. - 08.
Hedonist - 2020 Ecology Grenache
State: South AustraliaTASTING NOTES:
Fresh raspberry and wild strawberry fruit aromas, sappy too. The palate is sleekly aligned and has plenty of fresh red fruit pop. Drink now. - 09.
Liebichwein - Liebich Classic Frontignac
State: South AustraliaTASTING NOTES:
Spicy, lifted, incredible intensity and complexity across the aromatic profile. Dense, power, weight, line and length all utterly remarkable. Sublime drinking - 10.
Gilbert - 2021 Gilbert Petillant Naturel Rose
State: New South WalesTASTING NOTES:
Subtle strawberry, watermelon aromas, and a bright bust of spiced bread dough, green strawberry and musk. Pretty and moreish for a warm summer's day.
Best Non-Alcoholic Drinks in Australia
- 01.
Ziggy's Wild Foods - Native Lilly Pilly, Lemon Myrtle & Wild Lavender Shrub
State: New South WalesTASTING NOTES:
Pronounced acid on the nose. Morello cherry, salted Davidson plum and rose petals on the palate. A splash of soda really showcases the length and breadth of this shrub. - 02.
Lyre's Non-Alcoholic Spirits - Lyre's Italian Orange
State: New South WalesTASTING NOTES:
Blood orange, menthol and Campari vibes. Balanced – the sweet and bitter holding hands. - 03.
Heaps Normal - Quiet XPA
State: Australian Capital TerritoryTASTING NOTES:
Zesty citrus nose with a little mandarin that is fresh and lively. Smashable beer that would pair perfectly with a salty margarita pizza. - 04.
Waterhole - Waterhole Native Citrus Tonic
State: New South WalesTASTING NOTES:
Tonic with good grassy aromatics and fragrances. Clean, lively on the palate and well balanced flavours. Would complement a gin beautifully. Very pleasant. - 05.
Edenvale - Edenvale Alcohol Removed Premium Reserve Sparkling Blanc de Blanc
State: South AustraliaTASTING NOTES:
Fermented and yeasty nose. Good texture. Carbonation carries fruitiness and slight complexity to the end. Good balance and good dry finish. Very attractive. - 06.
Edenvale - Edenvale Alcohol Removed Premium Reserve Sparkling Shiraz
State: South AustraliaTASTING NOTES:
Cranberry, dusty red wine barrels and brambles. First thoughts are Christmas Day, hot sun and roast turkey. Lovely fine mousse. Sweet but has a native currant astringency that makes the drink sing. - 07.
T.I.N.A - T.I.N.A 1.0
State: VictoriaTASTING NOTES:
Bergamont, fennel seed and star anise. Well brewed and delightfully balanced tannin. Sugar level is quite restrained and warmly welcomed. - 08.
Lyre's Non-Alcoholic Spirits - Lyre's Apéritif Rosso
State: New South WalesTASTING NOTES:
Starts off citrusy, with peach and rambutan, and ends up coating your mouth with deliciousness. Plenty of sweetness without being overpowering. Marmalade-like notes of cumquat. Elegant and polished. - 09.
Lyre's Non-Alcoholic Spirits - Lyre's Amaretti
State: New South WalesTASTING NOTES:
Maraschino cherry, marzipan, cassia bark. Rich in colour, rich on the nose and rich on the palate. Golden flavours. This is so damn sexy. - 10.
Lyre's Non-Alcholic Spirits - Lyre's Coffee Originale
State: New South WalesTASTING NOTES:
Like a cross between roasted almond coffee and tiramisu. A gorgeous hazelnut-scented Ferrero Rocher of a drink. Perfect in an espresso martini or to pair with a decadent dessert. Would hold its own with Amaretto any day of the week.