65 Ocean St, Woollahra, NSW
(02) 8388 8688
Cuisine Modern Australian
WINE LIST Brittany Villafane
WINES ON LIST 87 (25 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$$
Creating a brilliant list is all about choices. Presentation is immaculate. Chiswick’s begins with a bow to the seasons and presents a dozen or so carefully thought-out seasonal aperitifs, cocktails and iced sodas and teas; four deft and precisely-wrought specialty Australian gins and a small beer list. By the glass, the list balances local and international, old favourites and emerging talents, and a significant range of styles.
Bubblies cover the range from pétillant-naturel, through to prosecco, moscato, Aussie fizz and Champagne. The structure is different from many other lists (divided into Mineral & Focused Whites, Alternative & Esoteric Whites…), yet thought-provoking and well-executed. The choice of specific labels is all encompassing, covering every Australian state, the new and the established – Sami Odi and Hentley Farm shiraz, Best’s pinot meunier, Timo Mayer nebbiolo and Quealy’s friulano. Bold decisions abound: Tapanappa Tiers is there, but it’s the 2007 Chardonnay by the glass. There’s just as much thought behind the international collection. It’s a great list.
peter forrestal
40-44 Little Bourke St, Melbourne, Vic
(03) 9653 1600
longrain.com/melbourne
CUISINE Modern Thai
WINE LIST Guillaume Bonage
WINEs ON LIST 99 (2 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($16-$13 by the glass)
A very tight and carefully constructed collection with the emphasis on quality wines, while avoiding the usual suspects. Pinot Noir and Riesling are the standouts. On top of this, the pricing across the board is excellent, making this a most appealing list.
76 Bourke St, Melbourne, Vic
(03) 9639 1927
CUISINEItalian
WINE LIST Kabir Antoniak
WINEs ON LIST 100 (26 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($20-$8 by the glass)
Although portrayed as Heathcote meets Italy, this is much more an Italian/Victorian collaboration. Lots of options from emerging producers or stick with classics like Sassicaia or Bass Philip. Considerable thought has gone into an excellent set of wines ‘by the glass’ and there is ample support from a fine collection of spirits and beers.
2 Angel Pl, Sydney, NSW
(02) 9231 3939
CUISINEModern Asian
WINE LIST Clint Hillery
WINEs ON LIST 100 (13 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($18-$12 by the glass)
China Lane has skilfully managed to combine some very prestigious and expensive wines with many other high quality but lesser known wines at affordable prices into this beautifully concise wine list. It is just crammed with options, many “Asian food friendly” and if a wine by the glass is in order, this selection though small gives great variety and quality.
