Redhouse Wines

Altier Pinot Grigio 2009 $22

Made from Adelaide Hills fruit. Clean, fresh nose with typical Grigio pear and musk-like aroma's. Fresh and dried pear flavours, faint hint of spice; textured mouthfeel. Winery Sample, 87 points, Drink 2009+

Mediterrane' Shiraz/Sangiovese/Tempranillo 2008 $22

This blend of varieties really works a treat. Lots of ripe fruit, but quite layered with some herby tartness lifting the finish. Nice grip and keeps you interested. Savoury, food friendly and ready to drink. Winery Sample, 90 points, drink 2010+

Wachau, Austr(al)ia

Salomon is one of the great names of Austrian wine, producing some of that countries best Rieslings and Gruner Veltliner's. They've also set up shop in Finniss River (35 kms south of Adelaide) ,South Australia, producing a range of interesting reds that contrast with their white dominated Austrian portfolio.

Salomon Estate Fleurieu Peninsula Shiraz Viognier 2007 $30

The viognier component is handled really well- just a dusty, floral lift in evidence rather than anything sticky or stonefruit orientated. A little volatility, some dark toasty oak and dense black fruits as well on the nose. Dark plum and pepper flavours, good impact, tight acidity and drying tannin finish. Winery Sample, 88 points, 2011+

Thought of the Week

PJ O'Rourke is one of the great writers and wits of our time. It was hard not to throw this quote at you, so I decided not to resist!

"I found out that all the important lessons of life are contained in the three rules for achieving a perfect golf swing. 1. Keep your head down. 2. Follow through. 3. Be born with money. PJ O'Rourke

Time for a X-mas break

Last night was the final episode from "The Pro Shop" for the year. Andy and I, along with the hard working production team from 5 Oceans Media ( Matt, Kate, and the various sound and camera guys who work with us) have a few weeks off for x-mas to recharge the batteries and get ready for the run down to April when the final show for the first season will be recorded.

It has been a seriously busy couple of months. Highlights for me were meeting Kel Nagle, an entertaining interview with Jack Newton who was great value, and a lot of fun had with Andy Maher who is a fantastic broadcaster.

Here's wishing everyone a great x-mas and New Year. I hope Santa is kind to you and that 2010 fills your cellar with fine wine and knocks a couple of strokes off the handicap.

Becasse

After a big month and a half, I took the opportunity to take the better half out for a relaxing night at one of Sydney's best restaurants, Becasse.

It was a first time visit for me, and I wasn't disappointed. Excellent service, a creative and diverse degustation menu ( the banana creme brulee' was my personal highlight) and some lovely wines which included the Thomas Braemore Semillon 2008 and a bottle of Mac Forbes Coldstream Pinot Noir 2007.

And, I was delighted, and more than a little proud to find that the Dombeya Chardonnay 2007 was also on the list.

Many thanks to the team at Becasse for a lovely evening.

In the Groove

On January 1, 2010, the laws of golf change for professionals whereby the 'U' or box groove is being outlawed and replaced by regulations that only permit 'V' grooves. Much ado about nothing? Or pivotal moment in the history of golf? Here are my thoughts on the matter.

Round One- PGA Championship

I can't recall ever seeing the inside of a golf commentary booth on the 'net, so here's a quick look at the space.

The main monitors are at the back, they are what we use for visuals. On the right is the telestrator, which I sit in front of, and next to that is the computer that feeds hole by hole scores and other info through to us.

In the middle you can see the sound console, through which we can communicate with the director and adjust sound levels in our headphones. And that's Frank Nobilo in the middle just having a quiet moment contemplating life.

Australian PGA Championship 2009-Coolum

Just a quick one before today's production meeting, and as I havn't had any flora or fauna on the blog as yet, why not start with a soft and fluffy filler.

The new holes at Hyatt Coolum look great. I had a ride around with the legendary designer Robert Trent Jones Jr yesterday to take a peek at a few, which was a great honour.

Anyway, I have to trek over to behind the 10th green to the production compound. More later in the week.

Australian Open 2009- Getting Ready

Wednesday is always rehearsal day, a day where we iron the kinks out of the system and make sure everything works the way it is supposed to. This usually starts with a production meeting in the TV compound, which this week is based on the rifle range at the back of the fifth hole at NSWGC.

After this we head out to our positions to check coms, and to run through the hole flyovers in the commentary box. This year we've got Frank Nobilo out from the U.S. to join the team. Frank is a New Zealander ( we don't hold that against him) who was an outstanding player. His career was cut short by injury, and he now works full time on the Golf Channel doing Seniors Tour and PGA Tour events.

The broadcast begins tomorrow at 12pm, and we're on air until 5pm. After that there is a one hour review show on ONE HD, so it is going to be a very big day.

In the picture are Steve Herson (producer) talking to Leigh Diffey in the foreground, with Frank Nobilo, Steve Wood (producer) and Jay Townsend at the rear of the building.