Andrew Marks is gifted with grapes. His home base is The Wanderer winery in the Yarra Valley, but he travels the world to hone his winemaking skills. In fact, after a five-year project in Spain, he released a special range of wine called El Wanderer. His delicious drops have earned him a nomination for the 2010 Young Gun of Wine at the Young Guns of Wine Festival. In the lead-up to the announcement of this year’s Young Gun, Andrew chats to us about his vision, his wine, and raisins.

What have the Spaniards taught you about wine?

“Mirar mucho pero tocar poco..” which roughly translated means to look but don’t touch.   Reflecting that it often pays to give wine time to come in to its self and resist the temptation to intervene in the process!

Which wine makes you want to…

… eat chicken?

… smooch someone?

… dance?

Champagne to all of the above, but preferably not all at the same time.

What is your winemaking vision?

20/20

Do you know any grape jokes? If not, do you like raisins?

Nothing worth repeating! I do like raisins. It’s not a flavour I’d like to see in my wine though!

What’s your favourite wine of all time?

I tend to have memorable wine moments rather than a favourite wine of all time. To me wine is all about the experience: the setting, the food and the friends you share it with. A great wine moment was a 1971 Brezza Barolo Cannubi shared with Enzo Brezza and his father (who had made the wine) and two of my best friends both winemakers. We were on a crazy road trip of the great wine regions of Europe and found ourselves having dinner at the Brezza Restaurant. Enzo pulled this bottle out for us at the end of our meal and it was a truly magical wine.

What's…

...the best Melbourne/Sydney restaurant for a wonderful meal and a glass of wine?

Gertrude Street’s Enoteca in Melbourne and Seans’ Panorama at Bondi.

… your favourite movie?

Noise

… the red wine that’s least likely to stain your teeth?

Never judge a pinot by its colour!!!

What have you heard through the grapevine lately?

The Landmark Australian Tutorial Tastings will be taking place in the Yarra Valley in September...