When we first decided to explore the vintage process in this edition, we had no idea it would follow such a challenging time.

It’s been an incredibly difficult few months for many – and not just in the wine community. These recent events made us even more determined to go behind the scenes of picking grapes and making wine to show just how high-risk it can be. To do this, we chat to top grower-producers about harvest, which also provides excellent insights into the 2020 vintage. Spoiler alert: there will be some sensational wines.

Also in this issue, we look into lighter styles of red wine, which continue to grow in popularity, as well as the concept of elegance and exactly what it means when describing a wine. UK-based wine authority Jane Parkinson goes beyond Burgundy to find some brilliant pinot noirs from elsewhere around the world, Matthew Evans shares his love for farming, great food and wine, and we showcase some deliciously indulgent dishes that work surprisingly well with wine.

And with the unprecedented bushfires resulting in a downturn in winery tourism and trade over the holiday period, we made the decision to feature only Australian regions in this edition, so you can read all about Mudgee in New South Wales, and Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria. If that’s not enough to get you road-tripping, don’t miss our cellar door mini-mag inside. This should provide even more inspiration for you to go straight to the source, chat to the producers and discover great wines you may not otherwise find – all for a good cause. Win-win!

Cheers,