Ken Gargett
Born and bred in Brisbane, Australia, I enjoyed a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades before studying law at Queensland University. On a fishing trip, someone opened a good bottle of port and so commenced a serious obsession. I then 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). Returning home, I was asked to do some occasional wine writing by friends who knew of my obsession. Eventually, it took over.
Needless to say, I am a grave disappointment to my family. My mother, when told I was off to a “vertical tasting,” was overheard muttering that 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 for newspapers, various magazines, and internet publications – and I do a little on cigars, fishing, travel, and food.
When not writing, I am fly-fishing for trout in New Zealand and bonefish on the flats of Cuba, traveling, smoking cigars, following a variety of sporting teams (the too-rarely glorious Queensland Reds rugby, dysfunctional Washington Redskins, too-often dismal Arsenal), and especially reveling in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home (Rugby World Cup next).