Andy Gregory is the Chair of the National Wine Show, this year celebrating its 50th anniversary. Photo: National Wine Show.
Who are you?
I’m Andy Gregory, and my current claim to fame is that for the last 10 years, I’ve chaired the National Wine Show.
Tell me about the National Wine Show.
It’s the pinnacle of the Australian wine judging system, and the only qualifying show in Australia. You can’t just enter, you must qualify by winning gold or silver at a capital city show, or a select number of regional shows. Any wine that comes to the show is already a successful wine.
How did you get involved in the wine industry?
I’ve been an active supporter of the industry in terms of consumption for most of my life! However, I was asked 10 years ago to chair the National Wine Show with the goal of elevating it to a high-profile, iconic event that would attract national and international attention.
Over 1000 wines will be judged in this year’s show. Photo: National Wine Show.
What is your wine philosophy?
It has matured over the years, and it’s now very much focused on quality. It’s about identifying what you like, and then identifying the better makers within those varieties. In Australia, we have an incredible range of wines that stand up in any international competition. I focus on quality, enjoyment and, of course, mixing it in with fantastic social events.
What is your favourite ingredient when cooking?
I’m the cook at home, so I get to choose what we eat. It’s a varied spread but definitely with an emphasis on Asian foods. I love using lots of spices and chilli. I love the fact that the whole food scene in Australia has evolved to have a fantastic range of interesting foods that embrace the best from around the world.
But my preference is definitely for the spicier end of the spectrum!
What’s an underrated Canberra venue that you love?
Olive at Hawker serves wholesome, quality Greek food. You always know what you’re going to get, and it’s a family-run business. It actually reminds me of somewhere you might eat in Europe.
Murrumbateman vigneron Ken Helm is a respected local winemaker. Photo: Supplied.
Who do you admire in the Canberra wine scene?
In terms of wine, I think we should be grateful for the likes of Ken Helm, who’ve been in the industry for so long and really put Canberra on the map.
Where’s the best place for a coffee in Canberra?
Twenty years ago, you struggled to get a good coffee in Canberra, but that has shifted dramatically. I go out every day to multiple venues for coffee, so rather than picking one favourite, I would just say I’m grateful that you can get a quality coffee just about anywhere!
Where do you like to go for a drink?
The Realm precinct is fantastic. That’s where we put up the judges each year for the festival, and they love that they’ve got all those nice places so close to them.
What’s your favourite restaurant?
Les Bistronomes in Campbell. I used to work there when it was the Campbell Milk Bar, but I think it’s probably done better as a restaurant! It’s a delightful setting, so whenever we have visitors, we always take them there.
Les Bistronomes owner and chef Clément ‘Clem’ Chauvin with guests at his Campbell restaurant. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.
Who is your dream dinner party guest, and what would you make them?
I think I would like to have a meal with Donald Trump to see if I could actually understand how he thinks. I find him a hugely disturbing character, and it would just be so interesting to see if he’s really like that in person.
I’d probably make him a beef wellington with lots of mushrooms!
Is there a wine you just can’t get enough of right now?
In some respects, I’m a traditionalist, and I think Australian Chardonnays are tremendous. But there’s a proliferation of new Mediterranean varietals coming through, which are really exciting. And they’re so affordable!
What’s the best thing you ate this week?
I’m really lucky with the job I have – it’s a passion really – and this week we had a meal with our judges at Louis. Our main course was goat, which had been cooked for several days. It’s something that we don’t typically eat, but I think it will become more available. It was a bit different, but surprisingly good!
Classic European bistro-style dining is on the menu at Louis in Barton. Photo: Louis.
What’s a food that reminds you of your childhood?
Easy! My mother used to make a lamb roast every Sunday, so whenever we have a roast, it reminds me of my younger days at home. We would have Yorkshire puddings, and my mother was a great dessert baker, so we’d often have a pie or something like that as well.
Where do you shop for wine?
I go to a lot of specialist wine shops; I love pottering around and having a look. But I really like the range that Dan Murphy’s offers, and if they don’t carry a wine I’m looking for, then I go straight to the winery itself.
When you can’t be bothered to cook for yourself, where do you go and what do you eat?
I love Vietnamese food, so a banh mi. It’s quick and easy, not too unhealthy, and I always get lots of chilli in it as well! I definitely prefer that to fast food. Out at Majura Park, Ms Ba Co often has a queue of 20 or 30 people!
Where are you travelling next?
My wife and I travel a lot, and in the next six months we are heading to Singapore, Vietnam, Europe, the Kimberly and Antarctica! The National Wine Show is six months’ worth of really concerted effort, and of course, the festival is even bigger this year, so we try to travel in the other six months of the year.
Tell me something you love about living in Canberra?
I was born here, I’m old: I was here before the lake existed! In fact, I was born at the National Museum, back when the old hospital was there. I love that we get four seasons. I think it’s brilliant. I love that we’ve got the vibrancy of a big city, and I love that our food scene is so good. It has evolved a lot since Gus’ cafe got outdoor seating! We have a great lifestyle here, with accessibility to Sydney, the coast, the snow, and inland NSW. I love Canberra!
What books have you been reading?
I love Audible, I listen to at least one book a week. It’s a great way to entertain yourself when you’re driving. I do fiction and nonfiction, and I love drama and mystery. I recently really enjoyed a short, sharp podcast called Corked by Marc Fennell. It’s about the master of wine awards and about a corruption scandal. It was very interesting.
An easy one to finish – what’s your go-to coffee order?
Long black: I’ve been drinking five or six coffees a day my whole life, and it’s always a long black.
Find out more about the National Wine Festival events at their National Wine Show, or follow the National Wine Show on Facebook or Instagram.
Original Article published by Lucy Ridge on Region Canberra.
