ProWein 2023 Germany

Presented by

Meg Brodtmann MW is a winemaker with more than twenty years’ experience across three continents. She judges at national and international wine shows and has been the Chair of the International Cool Climate Wine Show. She is co-host, with Mel Gilchrist, of the award winning podcast ‘Wine with Meg + Mel”. Meg became Australia’s first female Master of Wine in 2002 and is currently the Brand Business Manager for Rob Dolan Wines, based in her beloved Yarra Valley and also teaches WSET Levels 2 to 4 (Diploma) in Melbourne.

Imagine the world of wine shrunk in to one place. That place is Victoria, Australia. Less than half the size of France, our compact state is home to a dizzying array of wine styles thanks to our wide and varied geology, geography and climates. Join us for a tasting of Victoria’s diverse range of wine styles from red, white, sparkling and fortified.

Presented by

Thomas Curtius MW is primarily a specialist in PR, digital communications and business development, but has been involved in the wine business for more than two decades. He completed his WSET Diploma in 2010 and became a Master of Wine in 2019, winning the Outstanding Achievement Award for his overall performance in the MW examination. Thomas works as a consultant, teacher and lecturer, he judges in wine competitions, writes articles, and runs wine seminars and master classes for professionals and enthusiasts.

Join Thomas Curtius MW, together with the d’Arenberg, Richard Hamilton, Kay Brothers, Ox Hardy and Paxton wineries, to discover McLaren Vale’s Living Icons – an exclusive selection of single vineyard wines crafted from McLaren Vale’s, and indeed some of the world’s, oldest surviving vines.

Presented by

Jim Markeas and Philip Reedman MW
Bold, passionate, daring, energetic – those are just some of the words used to describe Jim Markeas, Director/Winemaker at the family-owned winery Mallee Estate. A previous recipient of the Riverland Winemaker of the Year award, Jim is a forward-thinking winemaker who uses the unique characteristics of the Riverland to his advantage, making wines that showcase to the world the exciting and evolving Riverland wine region. Jim is serious about the business of wine, but the journey is always an adventure! Don’t miss your chance to hear Jim talk about the wines your dad didn’t drink…Riverland wines.

A leader in forward-thinking styles, the Riverland is Australia’s best kept secret for premium, sustainable GI wines. Always pushing boundaries, the wines are as bold, innovative, diverse, & exciting as the winemakers. Quality wines, great value, distinctive styles. It’s time to think differently about Riverland wines. It’s time to get on board!

Presented by

Paul McArdle and Emma Symington MW
A regular speaker at wine dinners, masterclasses, and trade tastings, Paul was the consultant wine buyer and educator for the award winning Must Wine Bar from 2004 until 2018, and regularly presents internationally on behalf of Margaret River Wine and Wine Australia. Paul successfully passed the tasting component of the demanding UK based ‘Master of Wine’ (MW) examination in 2003. He has held numerous executive roles in wine - including positions at Fraser Gallop Estate, Howard Park and Higher Plane – and is currently CEO at Overstory, overseeing the wine businesses Small Wonder, Wayfinder and Small Story Merchants.

With dramatic coastline, signature clones and ambitious, premium-focused wineries, Margaret River has a reputation for beautiful wines with intense fruit and elegant acidity. Find out why Cabernet Sauvignon thrives and the producers’ ‘light touch’ approach. Hear about organics, biodiversity, smarter irrigation, and reducing emissions.

Presented by

Stuart Pigott is a British wine critic and author who has lived in Berlin since 1993. Author of 'Best White Wine on Earth - The Riesling Story', Stuart was in his early twenties when he began writing about wine and published his first article in Decanter Magazine in 1984. In recent years, taking his inspiration from Hunter S. Thompson and Tom Wolfe, he has written a number of free educational wine videos in the "Gonzo" style of journalism, and in 2008, he took lessons at the University of Applied Sciences in Geisenheim in Oenology and Viticulture.

Take a deep dive into the world of Clare Valley Riesling. Explore the complexity driven from differing levels of residual sugar, acidity, closures, soils, and the distinct differences imparted by site selection throughout the pristine tapestry of vineyards which ensure Riesling wines from the Clare Valley are so extraordinary.

Presented by

Emma Symington MW has worked in the wine trade for 17 years with previous roles including selling and buying wine. She is now Wine Australia’s Education Development Manager, organising and hosting a series of tastings, seminars and master classes to increase enthusiasm and knowledge in Australia’s wines and wine regions. After winning the Vintners' Cup and Vintners' Scholarship for the top WSET Diploma graduate in 2011, Emma embarked on the Master of Wine course, becoming an MW in 2015. A WSET-certified educator, Emma judges at several international wine competitions and won the Emerging Wine Writer category in the 2014 Louis Roederer Awards.

Grenache has experienced a resurgence and has captivated attention around the globe, fast becoming one of South Australia’s most loved and popular red wines. Experience some of South Australia’s finest examples of this ethereal beauty, hailing from some of the world’s oldest bush vines and the deep sands of McLaren Vale’s Blewitt Springs.

Presented by

Hunter Smith and Thomas Curtius MW
Frankland Estate is a family owned and operated business, today Hunter works alongside his sister Elizabeth and her husband Brian all of whom share wine making and management roles. Hunter’s drive for quality and passion for organic farming has seen the 38 hectare Isolation Ridge vineyard and Frankland Estate winery being fully certified organic in 2010. In addition to sharing responsibility for winemaking with Elizabeth and Brian, Hunter is also responsible for the marketing and promotion of Frankland Estate wines in Australia and some 18 export markets.

Explore Australia’s largest wine region and taste elegant, structured cool climate Shiraz. The coolest of Western Australia’s wine regions, Great Southern is rich, vast and varied. Its vibrant community of producers crafts a range of styles with impressive ageing potential. Find out why Shiraz is in the spotlight.

Presented by

Meg Brodtmann MW is a winemaker with more than twenty years’ experience across three continents. She judges at national and international wine shows and has been the Chair of the International Cool Climate Wine Show. She is co-host, with Mel Gilchrist, of the award winning podcast ‘Wine with Meg + Mel”. Meg became Australia’s first female Master of Wine in 2002 and is currently the Brand Business Manager for Rob Dolan Wines, based in her beloved Yarra Valley and also teaches WSET Levels 2 to 4 (Diploma) in Melbourne.

Join Meg Brodtmann MW for a deep dive into the diversity in climate, soil composition and altitude across the Yarra Valley. We’ll focus on the classic styles of region - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon - with a comparison between examples from a number of sub-regions and the diversity in style.

Presented by

Bert Blaize is an independent sommelier previously of the Clove Club - UK’s top-ranked restaurant in ‘World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ for three years running and 26th best restaurant in the world. In 2019 Bert won the UK’s Top Young Sommelier competition sponsored by Flint wines. He was nominated by GQ Magazine and Imbibe Magazine as ‘Sommelier of the year’ and was named among the top 50 most influential people in the wine industry by Drinks Business. In 2020 he published his first book with Penguin, ‘Which Wine When’. It was shortlisted for Drinks book of the year.

Join us for a master class focussing on the history, heritage and stories of wines from New South Wales. Taste wines from some of the oldest vineyards in Australia and original trailblazers still producing today.

Presented by

Bert Blaize is an independent sommelier previously of the Clove Club - UK’s top-ranked restaurant in ‘World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ for three years running and 26th best restaurant in the world. In 2019 Bert won the UK’s Top Young Sommelier competition sponsored by Flint wines. He was nominated by GQ Magazine and Imbibe Magazine as ‘Sommelier of the year’ and was named among the top 50 most influential people in the wine industry by Drinks Business. In 2020 he published his first book with Penguin, ‘Which Wine When’. It was shortlisted for Drinks book of the year.

Although New South Wales is home to some of Australia’s most historic wine regions, it is not resting on its laurels. Join us for this master class where we will highlight the diversity of New South Wales wines, emerging sub-regions, microclimates and varieties not traditionally associated with New South Wales.

Presented by

Emma Symington MW has worked in the wine trade for 17 years with previous roles including selling and buying wine. She is now Wine Australia’s Education Development Manager, organising and hosting a series of tastings, seminars and master classes to increase enthusiasm and knowledge in Australia’s wines and wine regions. After winning the Vintners' Cup and Vintners' Scholarship for the top WSET Diploma graduate in 2011, Emma embarked on the Master of Wine course, becoming an MW in 2015. A WSET-certified educator, Emma judges at several international wine competitions and won the Emerging Wine Writer category in the 2014 Louis Roederer Awards.

South Australia’s wine regions are some of the oldest and most historically significant in Australia. But we are also progressive thinkers and this is undoubtedly one of the most innovative and exciting places for wine. From refreshing Vermentino, textural Fiano and perfumed Arneis, these climate-friendly whites are crafted with the future in mind.