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The Australian Ark – Where Wine and Words Intersect

If one isn’t drinking wine, then the next best thing is surely reading about it. Of course, no reason one can’t do both at the same time.

Ken Gargett  29 April 2024

Andrew Caillard

If one isn’t drinking wine, then the next best thing is surely reading about it. Of course, no reason one can’t do both at the same time.

A new publication by Australian Master of Wine, Andrew Caillard, with assistance from his publisher, Angus Hughson, deserves opening one of your finest bottles when you delve into it. ‘The Australian Ark’, a trilogy which is subtitled ‘The Story of Australian Wine from 1788-2023’, is quite simply the finest book on Australian wine ever written. Incredibly comprehensive, yet never less than riveting, it addresses the wine industry in this country from the arrival of the First Fleet up until today.

The three volumes are divided into –

  1. Australian Colonial Wine, 1788 – 1900.
  2. Federation to the Modern Era, 1901 – 1982.
  3. Contemporary Times: Reflections & Perspectives, 1983 – 2023.

Incredible Detail

Each of the three goes into incredible detail but, as mentioned, remains fascinating and extremely readable. The three total 1,762 pages.

Andrew began researching the project almost twenty years with the intent of publishing a small piece of some 10,000 words. The final project comes in around 500,000 words. It is an extraordinary achievement.

What also must be mentioned are the illustrations. Perhaps it should come as little surprise, as Andrew himself is a highly regarded artist, but the time and effort which has gone into assembling more than 1,200 illustrations, covering every aspect of Australian wine, from bottle shots, people, places and simply the weird and wonderful, is truly astonishing.

The three volumes are all superbly illustrated, which should be no surprise as Andrew himself is a highly respected artist. Indeed, the time that must have gone into accessing and arranging the extraordinarily extensive collection of paintings, photos, memorabilia, bottle shots, and just the weird and wonderful as it pertains to Australian wine, is mindboggling in itself.

Volume 1

Volume 1 looks at wine in Australia from the very first settlement, always maintaining an eye on the settlers and their involvement with the Indigenous Australians. Wine often played a minor role in these days but Andrew has it all thoroughly covered.

Volume 2

Volume 2 commences at Federation and takes us through an extensive time where wine meant very little to many Australians. But this was also the time when the foundation for today’s success was being laid. We meet legendary personalities and famous winemakers, visit new regions and wineries and learn about wines, many of them icons today but just making their debuts back then. It is all fascinating stuff.

Volume 3

The third volume begins in 1983, the time many see as the genesis of today’s wonderful wine industry. Many of the stories, wines and winemakers will be familiar to winelovers today, but many more will be new. Volumes 2 and 3 also feature many of our most famous wines. Andrew, as the man who established Langtons Auction House in Sydney, was one of our earliest Masters of Wine, was the man behind the acclaimed documentary, Red Obsession’ (narrated by Russell Crowe), and much more, is perfectly placed to introduce them.

A Masterpiece

Older readers will find many old friends throughout these volumes while younger winelovers will find them the ideal introduction to Australian wine.

Put simply, this publication truly is a masterpiece. If it does not occupy a prominent place in your wine library, then you are not serious about wine. And if you do not have a wine library, this is the place to start.

There are four different versions – paperback ($199), hardback ($399), Collector’s Linen ($499) and Collector’s Leather ($999).

About The Author

Ken Gargett

29 April 2024

Born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. A non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. Law at Queensland Uni. On a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, someone opened a good bottle of port and so commenced a serious obsession. Studied in London, then worked London, Washington DC and Sydney in banking law (pleased to be out of that now, even if my bank manager disagrees). Returned to Queensland and was asked to do some occasional wine writing by friends who knew of the obsession. Eventually, fortunately, it took over.

Needless to say, I am a grave disappointment to my family. My mother once, when told I was off to a 'vertical tasting', was overheard muttering ‘at least you'd think these people could afford chairs’. Later, she severely chastised me, for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted I’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. It has not been easy.

Now, I mostly write on wine and spirits for Drinks, Explore, AGT Wine Magazine, UK World of Fine Wine, Fine Group, tastingbook.com. Did weekly columns for the Courier Mail for many years, plus various mags, spitbucket.com, etc. I do a little on cigars (this blog, obviously, and quillandpad.com), fishing, travel and food. When not writing, I’ll either be fly-fishing, travelling, or passionately following a variety of too-often dismal sporting teams – Queensland Reds rugby, Washington Redskins, Arsenal and our occasionally glorious Aussie cricket team.

—KBG.

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