Category Archives: Book Reviews

The Intrepid Wino Reads: The Wine Hunter by Campbell Mattinson

Campbell Mattinson is one of the most important wine writers in Australia. He co-founded the wine review site The Wine Front in 2002 which is now the most active in Australia, and the longest running. He has worked with the likes of James Halliday with Wine Companion, serving as the magazine’s editor for some time, and has also contributed to the annual guide. He has twice been awarded the Wine Communicator of the Year by the Wine Communicators of Australia Association.

When I invited him onto my podcast The Vincast as a guest, he willingly obliged and sent me a copy of his book “The Wine Hunter: The Life Story of Australia’s first great winemaker” which I just finished over the new year. Here are my impressions of the book, very raw as I had just finished it.

Please let me know if you have also read the book, share your impressions in the comments below. If you would like to ask Campbell some questions on his upcoming appearance on the podcast, please let me know. Visit his website http://www.campbellmattinson.com

Thanks for watching guys, have a great 2016!

The Wine Hunter by Campbell Mattinson

The Wine Hunter by Campbell Mattinson

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January 5, 2016 · 4:10 pm

The Intrepid Wino reads “How to Love Wine: A Memoir and Manifesto” by Eric Asimov

I think the first introduction I had to Eric Asimov was when I was visiting wineries in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. As a native New Yorker and chief wine critic for the New York Times it stands to reason that he would have a vested interest in covering the wines that are produced from this part of the United States. When I was there in November of 2011 he had only recently written about how much quality had improved in the region. Whilst somewhat parochial this came as great endorsement, and I heartily agreed that producers in this very marginal climate were moving in the right direction.

I subsequently followed Eric on Twitter and shared some interactions on the subject of the Finger Lakes. As I continued to travel Eric fell off my radar, but always remained as a kindred spirit. Thus I was thrilled to discover upon my return home that he had written a book.

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