Nick's passion for wine is worth bottling
Renowned wine writer, judge and presenter Nick Ryan is excited about the direction Australian wine is taking, better reflecting who we are and how we live.
The bloke who believes “if you can’t find pleasure in a great glass of wine, you’ve probably lost the will to live” will be hosting masterclasses in The Oasis Club at this year’s Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival.
The festival will be held at Woody Point’s Apex Park from August 22-24.
Nick believes Australia can learn much from the way wines have developed in Italy, mirroring the lifestyle, food and climate of each region.
“I think that’s what’s really exciting about Australian wine and Australian food at the moment is we’re really understanding how we live and how we eat, and how what we drink goes with that,” he explains.
Nick says people in South East Queensland, including Moreton Bay, want wines they can drink outside that are light, fresh and pair well with food this region is known for.
“In Australia, right now, we’re making the most exciting and diverse and high-quality wines that we’ve ever made,” he explains.
“We’ve just got to get that story out there.”
Nick says it is a privilege and joy when audiences give a ‘hairy, bearded, middle-aged man’ half an hour of their time to learn more about wine.
“I just love that there are people wanting to know more about wine. No-one needs to be writing a thesis by the end of one of these sessions or thinking this is masters’-level education. It’s just a bit of fun,” he says.
For Nick, the story behind each wine is the most compelling aspect.
“In one sense, a glass of wine is a collection of chemical compounds and in another sense it’s a collection of stories of people and places. I think the people and places are really interesting,” he explains.
At Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival, Nick will be shining a light on the ‘fantastic array of wine producers that are going to be at the festival’.
His masterclasses will explore emerging Australian varieties.
“There are thousands of grape varieties around the world and we’re just starting to discover a bunch of them that work especially well in Australia,” he says.
His favourites continue to change and choosing just one is an unreasonable ask.
You’ll find plenty of cabernet, riesling, chardonnay, pinot noir and nebbiolo in his home cellar, but he enjoys grenache on weekdays and loves Mediterranean coastal white varieties such as fiano, vermentino, and a “great rosé”, which are well-suited to the way Australian like to eat and drink.
Nick says there’s never been more widespread interest in wine.
“Every time I go to these big events, like Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival, I’m always blown away by how much people want to learn and how much people want to deepen their experience with a glass of wine,” he explains.
“Wine is not trigonometry or mechanical engineering, it’s actually fun to learn. You can have that kind of engagement, and that kind of fun, while having a really good time.
“The thing about wine is … I could live 100 lifetimes, drinking even more than I already do, and I’ll still never know all there is to know.
“There’s always something different and fascinating and insightful in every glass of wine. We’ve got to take every opportunity we can to share that.”
So, do you need to spend a lot on a bottle of wine?
“No, you don’t. The most important thing is understanding your own palate and what works for you,” Nick says.
“I always say the luckiest man in the world is the man whose favourite wine is a $10 bottle. Why spend any more chasing that,” he says laughing.
“I think you can still walk into a good bottle shop with $20 in your pocket and walk out with something really good, if you buy carefully and you look for the combination of the right region and the right variety.
“Understanding what you like is the most important thing. Don’t worry about what people are telling you to like. That’s the safest foundation.”
See Nick Ryan in action
Nick Ryan is hosting The Oasis Pavilion masterclasses, presented by Traders in Purple, in The Oasis Club each day of the festival.
Each half-hour session will focus on a particular variety of wine, or topic, ranging from ‘Looking at life through Rosé-coloured glasses’ to ‘The lighter side of life: A look at elegant reds’.
Supercharge your festival weekend – buy a ticket to The Oasis Club. It’s an 18+ private retreat within the festival, offering an elevated experience with premium lounges, pop-up dining, entertainment and three free drinks* to get you started.
The Oasis Club delivers next-level luxury, with curated experiences designed for those who want the best of the festival.
Limited tickets are available. Visit Moreton Bay Food + Wine website to buy yours.
The Wine Lovers Guide to Moreton Bay Food and Wine Festival
Step 1: Buy a ticket to The Oasis Club to enjoy a complimentary glass of Mio Cappello prosecco and a glass of Signature Series Robert Oatley wine, and settle in for a line-up of free masterclasses with Nick Ryan.
Step 2: Wander through The Cellar Door to discover 20+ top-tier wineries and enjoy tastings and wine by the glass.
Step 3: Add on a wine masterclass in The Masterclass Collective presented by RIEDEL. Here are some of the options available:
- RIEDEL Wine Glass Experience Masterclass - Regardless of your level of wine knowledge, this session offers a fascinating opportunity to learn how the shape and size of the glass affect your perception of wine’s aroma and flavour. Each ticket includes a tasting set of RIEDEL Performance glasses to take home, valued at $250.
- Piper-Heidsieck Masterclass - Discover the elegance of Cuvée Brut, Rosé Sauvage, Essentiel, and Essentiel Blanc de Blancs. Sessions will be held each day of the festival from 3.30-4.15pm.
- Vines with a View - Join Ocean View Estates, Moreton Bay’s award-winning winery, for a guided wine tasting experience that captures the essence of the hinterland in every glass. Sessions will be held each day of the festival from 2.45-3.15pm.