Our Journal

A premium line-up at the Wine Australia Independence Day tasting

31st January, 2013

The inaugural Wine Australia Independence Day trade tasting took place today in the opulent surrounds of Australia House.  The Exhibition Hall (best recognised as Gringotts Bank from the Harry Potter films!) was abuzz with the twang of Australian accents and the smells of zesty Chardonnay, rich Cabernet and spicy Shiraz from the country’s best winegrowing regions.

On the Liberty Wines table was an impressive line-up of 40 wines from 15 producers, including Cullen Wines, Plantagenet, Mount Horrocks, Grosset, Shaw and Smith, Charles Melton, John Duval, Mitolo, Innocent Bystander, Greenstone, Dandelion, Clonakilla, By Farr, Balnaves, William Downie and Willunga 100.

Phil Sexton, owner of Innocent Bystander, co-hosted a seminar with Martin Spedding to showcase some top examples of iconic Yarra Valley Chardonnays and Mornington Peninsular Pinot Noirs. The seminar comprised gold medal winners from last September’s James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge as well as the 2011 Innocent Bystander Mea Culpa Chardonnay. 

More than 600 guests attended the event, representing a mix of the off-trade, on-trade, press, educators and buyers from across Europe.