Drinks Adventures - Wine, beer, whisky, gin & more with James Atkinson
344 episodes - English - Latest episode: 13 days ago - ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsWine lover? Craft beer fan? Drink whisky, bourbon, cognac or rum? Or maybe it's gin or vodka or mezcal you're into? Based in Australia, but globally minded, Drinks Adventures covers all these drinks and more: Japanese sake, cider, tequila, champagne, cocktails... we could go on!
Listen in as award-winning drinks writer James Atkinson interviews the world's biggest names in craft brewing, winemaking, distilling and mixology, along with sommeliers, mixologists, sake samurais, masters of wine and certified cicerones.
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Episodes
Australian whisky must strive for consistency and quality, says Andrew Derbidge
June 20, 2019 00:42 - 25 minutes - 23.2 MBIn this episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast I speak to Andrew Derbidge, who is director and cellarmaster for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society Australia. Andrew is, in his own words, a whisky tragic who has been heavily involved in the industry for many years as an educator, presenter and writer. Some of his excellent writing is on his own website Whisky & Wisdom, which is where I happened across a really insightful article by Andrew about the evolution of Australian whisky and some of t...
Australian whisky must strive for quality, says Andrew Derbidge
June 20, 2019 00:42 - 25 minutes - 22.9 MBWhisky expert Andrew Derbidge is director and cellarmaster for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society Australia and has been heavily involved with the whisky industry for many years as an educator, presenter and writer. Some of his excellent writing is on his own website Whisky & Wisdom, which is where I happened across a really insightful article by Andrew about the evolution of Australian whisky and some of the growing pains the local industry is currently facing. It was that article that inspir...
Whisky expert Andrew Derbidge on Australian whisky's growing pains
June 19, 2019 13:42 - 25 minutesA podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Whisky expert Andrew Derbidge is director and cellarmaster for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society Australia and has been heavily involved with the whisky industry for many years as an educator, presenter and writer.Some of his excellent writing is on his own website Whisky & Wisdom, wh...
Drinks get weird as brewers, winemakers and distillers collaborate
June 12, 2019 23:22 - 22 minutes - 21 MBThe Chardonnay IPA, and rum aged in wine barrels are some of the exciting collaborations happening on the fringes of beer, wine and spirits. Brix Distillers is a rum distillery that opened in Sydney in 2018. And they are trying to re-educate Australians about the potential of rum, which – as I discussed with Kathleen Davies two episodes ago – is somewhat misunderstood in this country. They're also trying to make uniquely Australian rums aged in barrels supplied by leading winemakers such a...
Brewers, winemakers and distillers' weirdest drinks collaborations
June 12, 2019 12:22 - 22 minutesA podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.The Chardonnay IPA, and rum aged in wine barrels are some of the exciting collaborations happening on the fringes of beer, wine and spirits.Brix Distillers is a rum distillery that opened in Sydney in 2018. And they are trying to re-educate Australians about the potential of rum, w...
Fifty years of making gin: Beefeater master distiller Desmond Payne MBE
June 05, 2019 22:59 - 26 minutes - 24 MBThis week on the podcast we're joined with a gentleman who may well have been distilling gin before you were even born. In 2017, Beefeater Gin master distiller Desmond Payne celebrated his 50th year as a gin distiller and he's still going strong today. I caught up with Desmond while he was in Australia recently to have a chat about his career to date and the many changes he's seen in the gin category over that time. Desmond truly is a legend of the gin industry and I hope you enjoy our co...
Gin distiller for 50 years: Beefeater Gin's Desmond Payne MBE
June 05, 2019 11:59 - 26 minutesA podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Gin industry legend Desmond Payne MBE has probably been distilling gin since before you were born.In 2017, the Beefeater Gin master distiller celebrated his 50th year as a gin distiller and he's still going strong today.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresI caught u...
Australian craft spirits with Nip of Courage founder Kathleen Davies
May 29, 2019 19:00 - 26 minutes - 24.2 MBKathleen Davies joins us in this instalment of Drinks Adventures, for a chat about Australian craft spirits and her distribution business Nip of Courage. Founded in 2014, Nip of Courage is the first ever distributor to represent exclusively Australian craft spirits, and the country's first spirits distribution company that is female-owned. Today the company represents four distilleries: Belgrove in Tasmania, Stone Pine in NSW, and two distilleries in Victoria; Reed & Co and Timboon Railwa...
Gin, whisky, rum & more with Nip of Courage founder Kathleen Davies
May 29, 2019 08:00 - 26 minutesA podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Gin, whisky and rum are among the craft spirits categories that are currently on fire in Australia.Australian craft spirits champion Kathleen Davies joins us this episode to discuss these market trends and the evolution of her business Nip of Courage.You may also like:Wine episodes...
Tasmanian adventures: Bruny Island Beer, Sailor Seeks Horse Pinot Noir
May 22, 2019 21:01 - 22 minutes - 20.3 MBIn this episode, I play a couple of interviews from my visit to Tasmania last year. The Tasmanian drinks scene has absolutely exploded in recent decades. In season one I talked Tassie whisky with Sullivans Cove Distillery, and cider with Willie Smith's Cider. This time I explore the unique brewing operation of Bruny Island Beer and Cheese with head brewer Evan Hunter. I also catch up with Paul Lipscombe of Sailor Seeks Horse, an exciting new wine company located in Tasmania's Huon Valley....
Wine and beer in Tasmania with Bruny Island Beer and Sailor Seeks Horse Pinot Noir
May 22, 2019 10:01 - 22 minutesA podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Wine, beer, cider and whisky, Tasmania has it all in spades.In season one I talked Tasmanian whisky with Sullivans Cove Distillery, and cider with Willie Smith's Cider.This time I explore the unique brewing operation of Bruny Island Beer and Cheese with head brewer Evan Hunter.I al...
Japanese sake with experts John Gauntner and Shuso Imada
May 15, 2019 21:33 - 31 minutes - 28.5 MBIn this episode we're diving back into the world of Japanese sake, which we explored in the very first episode of Season One. This time I've got two interviews to share with you from my time in Japan earlier this year doing a sake press tour with the Japanese Sake & Shochu Makers Association. First up is a chat with John Gauntner, who is recognised as the world's leading non-Japanese sake expert. A resident of Japan since 1988, he has been writing and lecturing about sake since 1994 and h...
Sake in Japan with experts John Gauntner and Shuso Imada
May 15, 2019 10:33 - 31 minutesA podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Sake and its rising popularity outside Japan was explored in the very first episode of Season One of Drinks Adventures.My recent sake press tour with the Japanese Sake & Shochu Makers Association brought the opportunity to interview John Gauntner, who is recognised as the world's l...
Stone & Wood Brewing leads third wave of independent craft beer
May 08, 2019 09:00 - 23 minutesA podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.We kick off season two of the Drinks Adventures podcast with a in-depth look at the brewery founded in Byron Bay, Australia in 2008, Stone & Wood Brewing Company.Stone and Wood celebrated its tenth anniversary last year and I started covering drinks as a journalist not long after S...
Returning May 2019: Drinks Adventures
March 27, 2019 06:00 - 1 minute - 944 KBSeason Two of Drinks Adventures will launch in April with a in-depth look at Stone & Wood Brewing Company and the Australian independent brewing sector. Also in this season, an interview with Beefeater master distiller Desmond Payne MBE, who will notch up his 52nd year as a gin distiller in 2019. We'll take at look at farm-based brewing, Tasmanian pinot noir and Australian craft spirits in various guises. And in Tokyo, we catch up with John Gauntner, the only non-Japanese certified Master...
Beer, wine, whisky and gin: Season Two Trailer
March 27, 2019 06:00 - 1 minute - 944 KBBeer brand Stone & Wood Brewing Company will be the subject of a special report in the opening episode of Drinks Adventures Season Two. Beefeater Gin master distiller Desmond Payne MBE will also join us as he notches up his 52nd year as a gin distiller in 2019. We'll take at look at farm-based brewing, Tasmanian pinot noir and Australian craft spirits in various guises. And in Tokyo, we catch up with sake expert John Gauntner, the only non-Japanese certified Master of Sake Tasting in the ...
Wine, beer, whisky and gin: Season Two Trailer
March 26, 2019 19:00 - 1 minuteA podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Beer brand Stone & Wood Brewing Company will be the subject of a special report in the opening episode of Drinks Adventures Season Two.Beefeater Gin master distiller Desmond Payne MBE will also join us as he notches up his 52nd year as a gin distiller in 2019.You may also like:Wine...
Cricket great Sir Ian Botham on his new winemaking venture, Botham Wines
December 21, 2018 04:47 - 5 minutes - 5.31 MBA brief return from our hiatus, lured by the opportunity to interview cricket great Sir Ian Botham about his new winemaking venture, Botham Wines. Celebrity-branded drinks have had a chequered history, to say the least. Look no further than Shane Warne's ill-fated forays into wine (Shane Warne Collection) and craft beer (99 Not Out). It was for this reason that I approached the launch of Sir Ian Botham Wines with a healthy scepticism. But Sir Ian is deadly serious about his new career, as...
Sir Ian Botham, cricket legend turned winemaker, on his venture Botham Wines
December 20, 2018 17:47 - 5 minutesA podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Sir Ian Botham is deadly serious about his new winemaking venture, Botham Wines.Celebrity-branded drinks have had a chequered history, to say the least. Look no further than Shane Warne's ill-fated forays into wine (Shane Warne Collection) and craft beer (99 Not Out).It was for thi...
Champagne experts Huon Hooke & Leanne Altman, plus Lanson chef de cave Hervé Dantan
November 09, 2018 05:19 - 27 minutes - 25.8 MBChampagne is a beloved beverage in Australia, the world’s sixth largest champagne market with the biggest per capita consumption per head of population outside Europe. First up this episode, I take a look at the Vin de Champagne Awards, a uniquely Australian award organised on behalf of the Comité Champagne, which represents champagne houses, growers and co-operatives of the Champagne region in France. This year was the 43rd edition of these awards and in a short documentary, I speak to se...
Inside the Vin de Champagne Awards, plus Champagne Lanson chef de cave Hervé Dantan
November 09, 2018 05:19 - 28 minutes - 25.8 MBWe're going out with a pop in this final episode of Season One of the Drinks Adventures podcast. Yes, this week we're delving into all things champagne in Australia, where it's fair to say we absolutely love our champagne. Despite our small population we are the world’s sixth largest champagne market, with the biggest consumption per head of population outside Europe, and our imports of champagne have grown tenfold since 2001. First up this episode, I take a look at the Vin de Champagne A...
Wine and champagne experts Huon Hooke & Leanne Altman, plus Lanson chef de cave Hervé Dantan
November 08, 2018 18:19 - 27 minutesA podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Champagne is a beloved wine style in Australia, the world’s sixth largest champagne market with the biggest per capita consumption per head of population outside Europe.First up this episode, I take a look at the Vin de Champagne Awards, a uniquely Australian award organised on beh...
Heather Tillott of Sullivans Cove Distillery on making world-beating whisky
October 31, 2018 22:14 - 19 minutes - 17.4 MBThis week on the Drinks Adventures podcast I play a conversation with Heather Tillott, production manager at Sullivans Cove Distillery in Tasmania. If you have any awareness of Australian whisky you've surely heard of Sullivans Cove, known internationally for some of the incredible accolades it's won in the last few years. In March 2018, Sullivans Cove won World's Best Single Cask Single Malt at the highly prestigious World Whiskies Awards. This followed the distiller's French Oak express...
Sullivans Cove Whisky with production manager Heather Tillott
October 31, 2018 22:14 - 19 minutes - 17.4 MBHow did Sullivans Cove conquer the world, winning World's Best Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards three out of four years running? The Tasmanian distillery’s production manager, Heather Tillott, posits her theory in this episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast. But we also hear from Heather about her career background starting in wine production in the New South Wales Shoalhaven region. She moved to Tasmania after a life change, thinking she would continue in wine. But a chance v...
Sullivans Cove Whisky's remarkable feats, with distiller Heather Tillott
October 31, 2018 22:14 - 18 minutes - 17.4 MBHow did Sullivans Cove conquer the world, winning World's Best Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards three out of four years running? The Tasmanian distillery’s production manager, Heather Tillott, posits her theory in this episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast. But we also hear from Heather about her career background starting in wine production in the New South Wales Shoalhaven region. She moved to Tasmania after a life change, thinking she would continue in wine. But a chance vis...
Whisky in Tasmania with Sullivans Cove Whisky head distiller Heather Tillott
October 31, 2018 11:14 - 18 minutesA podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Whisky upstart Sullivans Cove won World's Best Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards three out of four years running.Sullivans Cove Whisky head distiller Heather Tillott reveals the secrets to its success in this episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast.You may also like:Wine ep...
Sam Reid of Willie Smith's Cider on cider apples, festival ethos and more
October 29, 2018 11:09 - 4 minutes - 4.45 MBSome further excerpts from my interview with Sam Reid, co-founder of Willie Smith's Cider. Topics include the importance of real cider apple varieties to Australia's emerging cider category. We also discuss what you'll find at the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival in the way of food, drink and music, and the planning that goes into it.
Cider advocate Sam Reid of Willie Smith's Cider in Tasmania
October 29, 2018 00:09 - 4 minutesSome further excerpts from my interview with Sam Reid, co-founder of Willie Smith's Cider.Topics include the importance of real cider apple varieties to Australia's emerging cider category. We also discuss what you'll find at the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival in the way of food, cider, wine, beer and music, and the planning that goes into it.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures
Real cider and pagan rituals at the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival
October 25, 2018 22:11 - 15 minutes - 14.3 MBThis week on the Drinks Adventures podcast, we foray into cider and some of the ancient traditions associated with the annual apple harvest. William Smith & Sons is one of the oldest family businesses in Tasmania's Huon Valley. Founder Willie Smith planted the first tree in their apple orchard in 1888 and fourth generation family member Andrew Smith is the current orchardist, responsible for taking the farm organic in the late 90s. And in 2012, drinks marketer Sam Reid partnered with Smith...
Introducing the magic of Australia's most unique drinks festival
October 25, 2018 22:11 - 15 minutes - 14.3 MBThis week on the Drinks Adventures podcast, we foray into cider and some of the ancient traditions associated with the annual apple harvest. William Smith & Sons is one of the oldest family businesses in Tasmania's Huon Valley. Founder Willie Smith planted the first tree in their apple orchard in 1888 and fourth generation family member Andrew Smith is the current orchardist, responsible for taking the farm organic in the late 90s. And in 2012, drinks marketer Sam Reid partnered with Smith...
Cider's pagan rituals at Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival
October 25, 2018 11:11 - 15 minutesA podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.William Smith & Sons is one of the oldest family businesses in Tasmania's Huon Valley wine region.Founder Willie Smith planted the first tree in their apple orchard in 1888 and fourth generation family member Andrew Smith is the current orchardist, responsible for taking the farm o...
Penfolds Wines' evolution with wine writer Jeni Port and fortified winemaker James Godfrey
October 17, 2018 21:55 - 36 minutes - 33.4 MBOn this episode I explore the changing face of Australia's most iconic winery, Penfolds Wines. Penfolds Wines has today – Thursday October 18th, 2018 – officially launched The Penfolds Collection, its family of top wines led as always by Grange. It's been a massive few months for Penfolds, which in July announced the somewhat surprising plans to begin making wine offshore, being Penfolds-branded champagne in France and also wines in California's Napa Valley region. The other big announcem...
Wine writer Jeni Port on the evolution of Australian wine icon, Penfolds Wines
October 17, 2018 10:55 - 36 minutesA podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Wine writer Jeni Port has been tasting and critiquing Penfolds Wines for many years. In this episode, she discusses the Penfolds Collection 2018 and the changing face of Penfolds Wines, Australia's most iconic winery.It's been a massive few months for Penfolds, which in July announ...
Starward Whisky founder David Vitale on Aussie whisky, gin & more
October 10, 2018 23:00 - 25 minutes - 23.9 MBFounded in 2007, Starward is undoubtedly the leading Australian whisky brand from a volume perspective, thanks to David's ambitious strategy of pursuing larger scale production from the very beginning. This has meant that Starward has been able to offer its range of high quality whiskies at pretty affordable price points. They commonly sit under the $100 mark in contrast to the routine pricing upwards of $200 a bottle that you see from most other Australian distillers. With David, I discu...
Australian whisky, gin and bottled cocktails with Starward's David Vitale
October 10, 2018 23:00 - 26 minutes - 23.9 MBThis week on the Drinks Adventures podcast, I'm talking Australian whisky with Starward Whisky founder David Vitale. Founded in Melbourne in 2007, Starward is undoubtedly the leading Australian whisky brand from a volume perspective, thanks to David's ambitious strategy of pursuing larger scale production from the very beginning. This has meant that Starward has been able to offer its range of high quality whiskies at pretty affordable price points. They commonly sit under the $100 mark i...
Whisky entrepreneur David Vitale of Starward Australian Whisky
October 10, 2018 12:00 - 25 minutesA podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Whisky company Starward is Australia's market leader, thanks to founder David Vitale's ambitious strategy of pursuing larger scale whisky production from the very beginning.This has meant that Starward Whisky has been able to offer its range of high quality, red wine cask-matured w...
Janice McDonald of Howard Park: Winemaker and craft beer pioneer
October 04, 2018 05:05 - 44 minutes - 41.4 MBThis week on the program, I play an extended interview with Janice McDonald, Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine's 2018 Winemaker of the Year. Janice is chief winemaker at Burch Family Wines in Western Australia, where she oversees the Howard Park and Mad Fish wine brands using grapes sourced from vineyards in the Margaret River, Mt Barker and Great Southern regions. Prior to that, she ran her own Margaret River wine label Stella Bella to great acclaim, together with her partner Stuart Pym. B...
Winemaker and craft beer pioneer Janice McDonald of Howard Park Wines in Margaret River
October 03, 2018 18:05 - 44 minutesA podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Winemaker at Burch Family Wines in Western Australia, Janice McDonald oversees the Howard Park and Mad Fish wine brands using grapes sourced from vineyards in the Margaret River and Great Southern regions.Named Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine's Winemaker of the Year in 2018, Janice...
Gin without juniper is flavoured vodka, says Sipsmith's Fairfax Hall
September 26, 2018 21:21 - 23 minutes - 22.2 MBWhat is the difference between gin and flavoured vodka? That should be an easy question to answer. But some of the drinks industry's older heads have voiced concern that gin without juniper berries, or lacking in juniper character, is on the rise. Among them is Hayman's Gin, which recently launched the Call Time On Fake Gin campaign. Says the distiller: "Recently we have started to see some producers marketing gins that have little or no evident connection to juniper. While botanical inno...
Gin without juniper is flavoured vodka: Sipsmith Gin's Fairfax Hall
September 26, 2018 10:21 - 23 minutesA podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.What is the difference between gin and flavoured vodka? That should be an easy question to answer.But some of the drinks industry's older heads have voiced concern that gin without juniper berries, or lacking in juniper character, is on the rise.Among them is Hayman's Gin, which re...
Japanese sake is finding fans in Australia
September 19, 2018 21:00 - 15 minutes - 14.6 MBIf you haven't yet discovered the delights of Japanese sake, now is the time to add it to your drinking repertoire. Cast aside any preconceptions you may have of that cheap and nasty stuff served hot in Aussie-Japanese restaurants. Premium Japanese sake is every bit as rich in heritage, sophistication and complexity as fine wine, and it is a superior match for many cuisines. Australian visitation to Japan continues to increase and with that, growing numbers of us are looking to enjoy fine...
Sake goes global: Japan's national drink finds new audience
September 19, 2018 10:00 - 15 minutesA podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Sake is Japan's iconic national beverage and it can be every bit as rich in heritage, sophistication and complexity as fine wine. It is a superior match for many cuisines.Cast aside any preconceptions you may have of that cheap and nasty stuff served scalding hot in Aussie-Japanese...
Trailer
August 10, 2018 10:53 - 1 minute - 945 KBA podcast for adventurous drinkers of beer, wine, spirits, cider and more. Launching September 2018. Theme music by Cameo Culture.
Wine, Beer, Whisky & Gin: Drinks Adventures launching soon
August 09, 2018 23:53 - 1 minuteA podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.A wine, beer, whisky and gin podcast launching September 2018.Theme music by Cameo Culture.