I'm talking about a diet on wine

White wine wise I can't go past a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc - although Petersen's do a killer Hunter semillon. A quality vinho verde from Portugal is a thing of beauty on a hot day too, or an Italian Greco di Tufo DOCG.

As far as reds go Cab Sav, Shiraz and Pinot Noir all have their attractions. A good Spanish Tempranillo, a good pinot noir from burgundy (mmm, cherries) are also a pleasure.

My favourite red was a Seppelt Dorrien Cabernet Sauvignon that I picked up from Seppelts cellar door in the Barossa (fantastic driveway) back in 2003 - they had it on tasting because apparently a VIP had been just before me that they wanted to impress. First time (only?) time I ever spent $75 on a bottle of wine - and felt like it was a bargain. Amazing fruity complexity with hints of chocolate and mint - never had anything like it before or since.

Seppelts 2km long palm lined driveway



PS did a wine appreciation course in the mid 1990s - loved doing blind tastings. All that wanky talk about saddle leather, cigar boxes and crushed ants all made sense - it's not the wines taste like that, it's that the flavours trigger sensations on your palate that echo those things.

I was introduced to Port wine while on a cruise-tour of Portugal in March, and got to love it - all with their higher alcohol content. The great-great grandson of George Sandeman was on our ship for the time the boat was in northern Portugal, and he provided us with some lectures and tastings - some were those expensive ones! My friend and I also visited Taylors and Kopke's for tastings, and we both raved about them.

When I visited Adelaide a couple of years ago, I got three other people to come with me on a wine tasting to the Barossa wine country, but we had Shiraz that I really enjoyed. One of the wineries served us a $100/bottle Shiraz that was complex and full flavored with mulberries and blackberries.

I like wines from Italy (red and white), Argentina, Chile, Spain, and of coarse Napa Valley. The price range can be reasonable for some good wines.

We did the Douro in 2012 - a local told us which were the best port houses - I think we did five - I remember Grahams, i think that was the only big one - the rest were boutique places along the south shore of the Douro.

Interesting that port is was a recent experience for you. Australia has had a long love affair with the style - Seppelts Para port being the supposed pinnacle:


I was also very happy to finally understand the distinction between a tawny and a ruby port. Even on holidays inquiring minds must know!

My favourites are Shiraz, Merlot. Port Wine is an all time favourite. I like the fruity aroma and sweeetness in my red wines

Me too, but my fave is Cabernet Sauvignon with a close 2d being Port.