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I recently stumbled across a pilsner that won’t make its way to the back of my fridge any time soon. Not because the beer isn’t any good – just the opposite in fact. The beer is so good that it demands, and generally receives, instant attention. With its tangy, fresh taste and clean citrus flavours, Emerson’s Organic Pilsner is one beer that has made me an instant fan. Emerson’s Brewery is based in Dunedin, New Zealand. Dunedin, apart from being a great town, has a long and proud brewing history. With some of the finest organic hops emanating from New Zealand, as well as access to clean spring water and an abundance of fine organic raw materials to commence with, you might reasonably conclude that Emerson’s Brewery enjoys an...

Locating a bottle of premium organic sake can be a difficult challenge, especially in regions where the value of this complex and historic beverage is defined in terms of its alcohol content and ability to shock the western palate. I’m far from experienced in the cultural intricacies of sake, but have gained some valuable insights through careful observation and listening. One of the most frequently repeated recommendations is to choose the best quality sake one can afford. Upon further questioning, this advice is sometimes refined by reference to the term “munouyaku” which means no agricultural chemicals. In Japan, traditional varieties of sake rice have been selectively bred over many centuries. The best sake rice is characterised...

There’s some perception within the wine industry that organic producers are contributing to an international trend of increased alcohol levels in traditional varietals. While less than convinced by arguments of this nature, I’m prepared to concede that a few notable organic vintages have reached towards an upper range of 16 percent and above. These are, however, balanced by the large number of examples where a modest range is maintained, somewhere between 11 and 14 percent alcohol. The nineties were truly a decade for increasing alcohol volumes in wine. The trend was initially observed in the “higher quality” reds sourced from California and several of the imported products from Argentina, Chile, and South Africa. In...

We’re always searching for that special bottle of organic wine to share with friends and family. Nothing is more versatile than a decent shiraz, and there have been some interesting ones of late. You tend to pick them up at airports, surprisingly enough. The Winbirra vineyard is located south east of Wagga Wagga, which places it about halfway between Sydney and Melbourne. Their Retief 2006 Gundagai Shiraz is notable for its even palate with rich fruit flavour and characteristic hints of cracked pepper and spice. Incidentally, it is estimated that one in five individuals are blind to the aromatic compounds which provide the spice and pepper characteristics of shiraz. If you happen to be in this category, you’ll still be more than...