Premier Wine Tastings emerged out of a desire to share the wines of the world in an engaging, convivial and unique context.

Jim Mullany

Jim studied law (LLM) and worked in the legal profession before his fascination with wine ultimately led him to complete the WSET Diploma in Wines and become involved in the industry. As well as hosting tasting events at Premier Wine Tastings, he has worked in Melbourne’s wine hospitality scene for several years, judged at a number of wine shows and is currently a wine educator with WSET. In 2025, Jim was awarded Dux of the Sommeliers Australia Education Scholarship. He is now on the Victorian Committee of Sommeliers Australia.

What makes a great wine tasting?

The wines of course. But also the theme and the people.

Curating bottles for a wine tasting around a theme adds interest with the thread linking the wines providing a chance to compare with a focal point in mind. What the theme is can vary tremendously. For example, a wine tasting might focus on a particular producer, vintage, grape variety, region or wine style. Whatever the case, the storyline guiding the tasting helps us to discern something about the wines tasted and enjoy them in a particular light.

Like any gathering, the people participating make the difference. Our tasting events are conducted in a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. This brings to mind the instruction of the famous wine collector, François Audouze, before a monumental wine tasting in Paris: “to those of you who know something about wine, forget what you know. To those of you who know nothing about wine, forget that you know nothing!” As well as its intellectual appeal, wine tasting is about the pleasure of taste, connection and good company. Salut!