Brett Doss doesn’t mince his words. He’s cheeky and tells it like it is. “There’s a lot of jargon, snobbery, and pompous rot in the wine industry,” he said. And by “rot” he doesn’t mean the noble botrytis kind.
“The misleading and sometimes confusing language can deter people from experiencing good wine or trying new things, because they’re worried they’ll say something wrong and embarrass themselves, but my job is to break down those perceived barriers and make wine accessible to all. There is no wrong taste or preference; only what’s right for your palate. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a $20 bottle or a $200 bottle – it’s all about personal enjoyment.”
Brett is a qualified sommelier and owner of Wynestory Group. He sells and distributes beverages between Rockhampton and Brisbane on behalf of boutique companies from all over Australia. He has designed wine lists for some of the Bundaberg Region’s best venues. Brett regularly hosts wine pairing dinners at HSG at the Gardens, and enjoys collaborating with local barbeque companies like Yagoona Designs and Burnt Magpies.
Wynestory started as a personal blog. “I was stuck in a sales job doing big kilometres, but one of the benefits was that I was travelling through wine regions,” Brett said. “As I started buying wine, drinking wine and understanding wine, the blog was a way for me to record that and share it with like-minded people. The stories behind the wines became my passion. My wife and friends encouraged me to turn it into a legitimate business; sharing stories of the little mum and dad operations, running events, expanding peoples’ knowledge and understanding of wine.”
Working with Chef Dion Taylor at HSG, Brett enjoys “turning things on their head” and finding new food and wine combinations that are unconventional or unusual. Designed for both experienced wine enthusiasts and novices, their dinners and masterclasses showcase local ingredients to create what Brett and Dion like to call “daring pairings”.
Brett’s Picks
Moffatdale Ridge Sparkling Cuvee NV
Smooth and creamy with a delicate fine bead and lush tropical flavours, the perfect bubbles for Queensland. It’s a credit to wine maker Jason Kinsella and the South Burnett Region.
Shirvington Row X Row Fiano 2019
Light citrus notes intertwine with fresh spice and stone fruit. A deliciously light style of wine that is fast gaining the notoriety it deserves in the Aussie wine scene.
Shirvington Row X Row Mataro 2018
An old world variety I hope we see much more of in years to come. Dark red fruit flavours, a medium bodied wine with luxurious mouth feel. Drink at around 20 degrees Celsius.
Raidis Estate Billy Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
A beautifully light example of Coonawarra Cabernet, rich black fruits, a hint of mint on the palate and a smooth long finish. A wine that will continue to improve with further aging.
You can find the Wynestory Group: www.wynestory.com