Wine News with Anne Dawson

Paul McArdle has been appointed as Must Winebar’s new wine consultant filling the shoes recently vacated by Natasha Court.

Mr McArdle is currently CEO of Margaret River winery Higher Plane, an occasional wine lecturer with the Wine Industry Association WA and is working toward a master of wine accreditation, having recently passed the tasting component of this qualification.

“At the moment there is only one other master of wine in WA, and 13 in Australia, it is a very difficult qualification,” he says.

While juggling these other roles, Mr McArdle’s Must job will primarily involve developing the wine list by selecting all the wines and educating the staff during fortnightly tutorials – something that will come naturally given his experience as a wine lecturer with the Wine Industry Association.

Following suit with Ms Court he will run wine education on a Saturday.

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HOWARD Park’s 2001 Leston Cabernet Sauvignon has come away from the 2004 International Wine and Spirits Competition in London with a gold medal.

Howard Park owner Jeff Burch says it highlights Australia’s capability of producing regional wines.

It appears Howard Park’s fortunes were swinging the right way in London. While over there the winemaker received another five awards in addition to the gold medal.

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THE 27th Sheraton Perth Wine Awards will take place on August 17 in the Sheraton’s Grand River Ballroom.

The UK’s Derek Smedley and Simon Woods have been secured as the international representatives on the judging panel. They will be joined by Ray Jordan, Pierro’s Michael Scott and Lenton Brae’s Edward Tomlinson.