David Pike

Western Australia’s best are recognised with the announcement of this year’s Wine Industry Association awards for excellence, as David Pike discovers.

Howard Park’s regional wines display a distinctive style even though their treatment and handling are identical, and the Shiraz and Cabernet are remarkable, as David Pike discovers.

One of David Pike’s favourite WA wine industry events is just around the corner – Western Australian Fine Wine.

David Pike profiles a region of South Australia that, while new to wine production, looks likely to produce some quality grapes.

A new Australian wine producer opens for business every 61 hours, leading some to think there are too many labels in the market. David Pike reports.

Working in the wine industry’s not all about drinking the stuff, as David Pike discovers, although he manages a bit of that too.

With the crusher cleaned, David Pike looks forward to the quiet of Easter and some of the delights April has in store for lovers of the grape.

While the red berries are in no hurry to ripen, David Pike takes the opportunity to take into account a new offering.

While reflecting on past sins during night shift at the winery David Pike contemplates the international successes of some of Western Australia’s wineries.

With ideal conditions for the gathering of the white grape, David Pike, on duty for the 2003 vintage, turns his mind to his favourite white grape – the chardonnay.

The dawn is rising on another vintage and, as David Pike discovers, it could be a pretty good one. IT has approached that time of the year when I get to see dawn on a daily basis.

Rain, while desperately needed in the pastoral and cropping regions of the eastern States is proving to be a huge headache for winemakers, as David Pike discovers.

The gap between Australian fizz and the best Champagne from France may be narrowing, but David Pike doubts we will ever match the masters.

A recent tasting has left David Pike in awe of that naughty, unpredictable variety that is pinot noir. This wine has a nasty habit of performing inconsistently. PINOR Noir is a very naughty grape variety because it very rarely behaves on cue.

OH the outdoor life. My day of rest this weekend was spent lending a hand to a couple of aspiring local vignerons that needed to attend to their bird problem.

On his way back down south for another vintage David Pike turns his mind to the weighty topic of the emergence of regionality in WA’s wine growing centres.

For the likes of David Pike the festive season doesn’t end with the New Year, as this week’s invitation to summer fun, music, food and wine indicates.

With the sun setting on the festive season David Pike turns his mind to pre-season training for its return next year and the contemplation of some Tasmanian offerings.

With what has been a big year in wine coming to a close, David Pike takes the opportunity to reflect on what 2002 had to offer for lovers of the grape.

The adage ‘where there’s smoke there’s fire’ rings true at David Pike’s place over summer as he barbecues up a storm.

After yet another trip down the Leasingham Winery path, David Pike reports that magical winemaker Kerri Thompson has turned out yet more stunning offerings.

It’s not always French but it’s usually pretty good. David Pike looks forward to summer and another appointment with the fizzy stuff.WITH the silly season just past it is time to start planning for the festive frolics to come.

David Pike reports this week on one of his favourite events, the Cullen chardonnay tasting.THE Cullen chardonnay tasting is the year’s highlight for many lovers of the variety.

WA’S final wine show for 2002 was held last week. The Qantas Wine Show of Western Australia Mt Barker attracted a record number of entries, with a 23 per cent increase in the number of wines entered into the show.

THERE are few certainties in life, they say, but one annual event I know I am guaranteed to enjoy is the Peel Estate Shiraz Tasting.

TRAVELLING through America during the early ’90s I was amazed at the number of people who were infatuated with soft, supple, velvety and, for the most part, simple red wines with ‘merlot’ emblazoned across the label.

THE Great Southern Wine Festival, to be held over the coming long weekend, promises to be one of the highlights of the WA wine calendar with a host of lunches, dinners and opportunities to taste the quality wines being produced in this region. At a wi...

David Pike this week finds himself becoming a little more familiar with verdelho.

Two of Perth’s finest have joined forces to create a new dining experience in Wembley, as David Pike reports.

Houghton Wines has honoured Dr John Gladstone, one of Australia’s most respected viticulturists, as David Pike reports.

Those who love learning about wine have plenty to look forward to this month, as David Pike reports.

Saracen Estate has built a solid following, locally and around the globe, and the recently released 2001 shiraz adds to the reputation, as David Pike reports.