I recently headed down to the Portside Sense of Taste store and met the Manager, Pete. He gave me the run down of how he joined the Sense of Taste family as well as his selections for this Christmas!

How did you get into hospitality?

My first job was in a bottle shop 20 years ago. I was out of it (hospitality) from between 2002 and 2011, and then an opportunity came up to do some wholesaling with a boutique wholesaler and I’ve been in it ever since.
 
What do you like most about the Sense of Taste concept?

Independent liquor retail is big for me, to be able to make your own choices and build your own store. Just being independent and able to try the products before you sell them, having knowledge about the range as you’ve been the one who chose the stock. If you like the product it’s much easier to sell the product.

What are you drinking now?

One of my favourites is the Farr Rising Pinot Noir ($53.99) out of Geelong. They’re probably one of the best Pinot Noir producers in Australia.
It would be a perfect wine for Christmas day, if you’re game to have a red, just chill for half an hour to take the edge off.

Favourite locally made product?

Would have to be the Lark Christmas Whisky out of  Tasmania. Lark is probably Australia’s most famous  whisky producer and this is the third release of their Christmas cask whisky. It retails for around $250 and is promoted as Christmas in a glass with hints of nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla custard.

Cocktail for Christmas day?

How about a super simple but super boozy raspberry ginsecco. Whitley Neill* do a raspberry gin, a nip or half nip of that, topped up with prosecco and fresh raspberries.

*Other Whitley Neill flavours that caught this writer’s eye include the Rhubarb & Ginger and Blood Orange gins.