No pain, no gain. Wimps don’t win. No goal was ever met without a little sweat. What’s life without a dash of masochism?We’ve all heard the expressions, on plaques dominating the walls of your gym, yelled by your unhinged PT; rattling round your skull as you complete the last rep of a painful set.After years of soaking up this “it doesn’t count as a work out if you don’t smash yourself” mentality, HIIT classes and loud grunts have become the norm, and—apart from an elite few—most of us (especially those that are trying to build muscle) kill ourselves three times a week, and are forced to spend half the week recovering.But according to Firas Zahibi, trainer of Georges St Pierre, a former UFC welterweight and middleweight world champion, this is a flawed approach—not just for people who are fit but, “For every human being.” On the renowned Joe Rogan podcast, he explained that this is due to your perceived rate of exertion, and how this affects your ability to grow muscle and learn new skills—essential for everyone from fighters like St Pierre, to your more aesthetic focussed Bondi bro.

“Let’s say the maximum amount of pull ups you can do is ten. If I pointed a gun at you you couldn’t do eleven. Should I make you do ten pull ups on our workout? No, I’m going to make you do five. Why? Because I’m setting you up to work the next day. And the next day we’re going to do five. And then the next day we’re going to do six. And then when six is really easy we’re going to do seven.”

Using the example of two gym goers keen to increase their strength over time, Firas unpacks his “consistency over intensity” philosophy: “If you did ten pull ups on Monday, you’re going to be sore ’til Thursday—if it is really your max. So between Monday and Thursday you’ve only done ten pull ups. Me? I’ve been doing five pull ups every day, so I’m at 20/25 pull ups already; I have more volume than you.”

“Now if you add up at the end of the year, who trained more, I’ve trained way more than you.”

According to him, success in the weight room (or the Octagon) comes down to, “How much training can we pack into the week (without getting sore), and how much volume can you expose your athlete to.” And under-training, or training consistently below your max, he says, has another benefit: “Exercise can produce energy.”

“Let’s say I’m feeling a seven out of ten. If I get up and I do the right amount of exercise, I can feel like an eight point five—exercise can give me a tonic effect. But once you get that high: shut it down. Don’t go into that phase where your body is beat up, tight and broken up; don’t redline the body—that’s only for training camps for a small period of time.”

At this point Firas admits that it is useful to push yourself to your max occasionally, “Because you get a little bit more from the system,” but maintains that, in the long run you get less, if you over-tax your bodily systems: “If you do that regularly, by the time you actually get good you’ll be broken up. Thats why I do a lot of flow training.”Given the phenomenal success of Firas’ athletes, and the fact that most gym memberships these days cost a bomb, we’d say make the most of the facilities. Go every day, have “fun” if you can, and please report back. In the meantime we’ll be eating ice cream with neither intensity nor consistency…RELATED: Gym Mistakes That Will Ensure You Never See Gains

The post Under-Training Is The Secret To Building Muscle appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

It's hard not to get swept up in Converse Jack Purcell's coming-together. Even years on. Reimagined with modern craftsmanship and superior comfort, these monochromatic kicks bounce the city streets - both day and night.

The best part? Converse Jack Purcell sneakers can be worn with a variety of...

↬ Click here to view the full article/gallery on D'Marge

The post How To Wear Your Converse Sneakers For All Occasions appeared first on D'MARGE.

Thin hair can do the most terrible things to a man’s confidence. Even the best-dressed, or the fittest of them all. Thing is, most of us will face the thinning truth at some point as we age, which is why finding hairstyles for men with thin hair, isn’t just a ‘that’s his problem’ kinda thing, cause you could be next, Jason Statham.

The Thin Down

While you can spend loads on hair volumising products and anti-hair loss pills, there actually are tried and tested hairstyles for men with thin hair, which will make your hair look normal, luscious even, and it’s all in the way it’s cut. But first, here are some things to stop doing if your hair is thinning. First up, accept it.

“Understand that balding happens to 80% of men,” says Jules Tognini, senior stylist at Togninis and Philips Shaving and Grooming ambassador.

And as for prevention? “My number one tip is don’t wash hair too often”, adds Jules. “A lot of hair products are filled with substances that can strip moisture in your hair and cause hair damage. Smoking is also another cause of hair loss. In fact, I believe 65% of men that smoke have a greater risk of hair loss.”

So, putting the thick back into thin hair again, here are the best hairstyles for men with thin hair, and you don’t have to shave it all off to get there, Bruce Willis.

Swept Back Pompadour

Starting to develop a monk-like bald patch at the crown of your head? Go for the swept back pompadour. “Flip your hair back,” says Jules. “With this style try keeping your fringe long.”

This creates height at the front and sees the hair sweep back towards the crown of the head. The visual trick is using the longer hair at the front to sweep over the thinning area at the back.

Best for: men who are thinning at the crown or back of the head.

How to get it: Product and styling adds volume to this look. Use a hair dryer to help guide your hair into place, especially if you’ve got an awkward hairline. Plus, the air builds height that makes hair appear fuller.

“Then use a generous amount of a styling paste to control the style and keep your bare spots secret. My tip is to avoid a wax and use a dry product instead, as greasy hair can make your balding spot look worse,” adds Jules.

Short & Textured Hair

Short and textured or messy, is another hairstyle for men with thin hair. The dishevelled nature makes it look like you have more hair on top, due to the extra volume. “The shortness will make your hair feel thicker,” adds Jules. “Sometimes if you try too hard to cover your balding spot it can make it look worse.”

Best for: men who have front head baldness, beyond a receding hairline.

How to get it: Use a texturising product like water-based pomade, rubbing a dab of product between palms, before working through the hair with fingers, messily of course, and you’re done. If you’ve got straight hair, then try spiking it a little, but go easy on the product, and avoid looking like a porcupine.

RELATED: Best Short Hairstyles For Men

Fringe Or Parted Hair

Inspired by the Don Draper do, grow your hair longer on top and keep the sides and back short. The whole idea is to wear your hair forward.

“Any haircut that consists of hair swept forward or to the sides work perfectly well for men with thinning hair,” says Jules.

Best for: a receding hairline, and men seeking a more refined option with their thin hair.

How to get it:  Use a lightweight, medium hold product that won’t weight hair down, like a matte-finish, water-based pomade. Oil-based ones are, yes, oily looking, and are hard to wash out.

RELATED: Best Slicked Back Hairstyles For Men

Fade Hairstyles

An undercut and/or fade makes hair on top look more prominent and thicker, thanks to the contrasting short sides and back, so it’s perfect for gents starting to thin.

Best for: men who have still have some hair at the front, and who’s job means they can indulge in a more fashion-y hairstyle.

How to get it: grow your hair to a medium length on top and comb it across to the opposite side for maximum fullness. Add some volumising powder at the roots to add thickness and fullness making the hair follicles sit up near the scalp.

Ultimate Thin Hair Sin

As tempting as it is, there is one major thin hair sin to avoid. “Don’t do the comb over,” says Jules. “This is when the hair is grown long and combed over the bald area to minimise the evidence, obviously.”

And, think quick. As soon as you notice that you are balding, take action to prevent it from getting worse.

The post Best Haircuts for Men with Fine Hair appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

When you don a pair of black skinny’s and white tee, you’d think it’s a safe bet. And in 2015, that may have been the case. However, it’s a brave new world of #fashion out there, and it’s hard enough to be ‘the man’ when your fashion game is on point, let alone when your wardrobe rotation has as much variety as a roast chicken rotisserie. So while there’s no need to set your Levis and crew neck aflame just yet, as a switched on modern gent, you can leapfrog the competition by getting the inside info on outfits that will draw a woman’s eyes to all the right places.

Oh and did we mention? These insights are less than 24 hours old, providing you with a snapshot of what will attract a woman’s attention today. And while some of the outfit suggestions are timeless, we can guarantee there will be others you have never worn, nay, considered wearing before. So listen up, and prepare a mental checklist of your wardrobe. Drawn from yesterday’s Reddit thread, which attracted over 20,000 comments, these are the men’s style trends women (in the microcosm that is Reddit) lust after most.

The thread began with the question, “Ladies, just like leggings can very easily attract a guys attention, what is something guys wear that will attract your attention?”. As is typical of the online forum, there were a few sarcastic responses, hilarious responses and downright bizarre responses. But out of the mayhem emerged certain themes that a switched on guy ought to pay attention to—single or not. Ranging from what to wear in the bedroom, to outfits women can’t help but ogle on public transport, let this be your fashion guide to February 2019.

Rolled Up Sleeves

To say women find this attractive would be, as the following comment shows, an understatement: “Guys who wear button down shirts but roll up the sleeves just past their elbows to expose their forearms. Those f*cking forearms dude.” And no: this isn’t just the opinion of one random woman with a lumberjack fetish. This post was upvoted over 11,000 times, and further comments revealed the shirt doesn’t have to be flannel to be sexy. On that note: on we roll…

Well Fitted Jeans

The next most useful response we found was a simple but oft neglected aspect of men’s fashion game: “Jeans that fit correctly. Also, shoes.” So, according to Anastasia, the woman behind this comment, there’s no use going online and buying a bunch of hyped accessories and expensive brands if you get the size wrong. Go for a tailored fit (or at least try the stuff on) when it comes to jeans, and don’t show up to a date in shoes you’ve had since middle school.

Grey Sweatpants

Not to be worn at the same time as the sharp coat or rolled up sleeves, but multiple women admitted checking out men’s grey sweatpants was a guilty pleasure, and ended up being upvoted over 14,000 times, proving to be the dark horse of, “Clothes women find attractive.” Why’s that? Our next style trend should make everything clear…

Anything That Shows Off Your Butt

From, “Some nice well fitting trousers, bonus if the guy has a nice bum,” to, “Never miss a leg day!! Thick thighs and some booty ahhhh and I’m dead!” it soon became clear that, “We all like ourselves a nice booty no matter what gender we are.”

“Even if it’s small, carry it with pride.”

The conversation then moved on to “how many socks are appropriate to stuff down there” (in case you were wondering; none), and even the potential for a Victoria Secret business venture: “(Why don’t) men get supportive bum bras to lift and squeeze, and little crack windows to show off the cleavage, and some frilly bits?”.

Assless Chaps

If you don’t know what assless chaps are, we highly recommend you look them up on Google. Essentially they are sturdy pants held up by a belt, with a gap for your #booty. These can either be worn solo in the bedroom—or underneath some nice fitting shorts—to subtly advertise your “assets”…

Classy Knitwear

Although thousands of women concurred that, “A cable knit sweater that sits just right,” is a hot look on a man, before you take this one to heart, remember not to go overboard. As one woman recounts, she was initially attracted to a co-workers sweater, but quickly lost interest due to his lack of hygiene: “I liked his sweater and noticed it but it lost its appeal the more days in a row he wore it.”

“Having well-kept clothes and practicing good hygiene are like 75% of looking good, and confidence makes up the majority of the remaining 25%.”

A Nice Timepiece

One commenter said the way to her pupils lay in the, “Combination of a nicely fitting shirt and a watch.” However as others pointed out, one must choose discerningly: “A nice watch. But not one of those gaudy blinged out dinner plate sized monstrosities.”

An Unbutton Plaid With The Sleeves Rolled Up

“That guy definitely gave me a lady boner.” Enough said.

A Sharp Trim

As hair made its first appearance into the foray, the male bottom made it’s several millionth: “A nice hair cut. Gosh.. and a booty.”

Soft Lips

Bear Grylls wannabes be warned: women do not like kissing you only to find flecks of your lips falling like dandruff. While this is a worst case scenario, one women had an important point to make, less to do with “attracting attention” and more to do with “keeping attention once it’s there”.

“Applies to both men and women. Lip care. Staying hydrated, not biting the skin of the lip, use lip balm when they’re dry, etc. People will look at your lips if they’re interested in you. Make those lips look like something they want.”

Wear Colours That Make Your Eyes ‘Pop’

“I really notice when someone wears a shirt or jacket that brings out their eyes. Someone I know with brilliant blue eyes looks completely different in bright blue scrubs versus a normal black or white collar shirt. And whenever my friend with big brown eyes wears his soft tan jacket, his eyes pop. It’s a startling effect.” Couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

A Sharp Coat

Next was “the duster.” A duster is a light, loose-fitting long coat that looks good in light coloured canvas, or plain black. However, this one split the crowd, with some commenters saying you would be better off burning it. Then again, if the upvotes are anything to go by, at least 6,200 women find it a turn on.

If all else fails; go with a maid outfit. Though perhaps not on public transport. Good luck!

RELATED: How To Tell If She’s Flirting With You Or Just being Nice 

The post Clothing That Can Make You Instantly More Attractive appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The fad of simply losing weight is beaten to death. Today’s fittest men (and women) are championing the way of healthy weight – that is, the amount you should weigh based on your height. The benefits of having a healthy weight aren’t just aesthetics but also pertain to protecting you from various illnesses.

Some of these illnesses that a healthy weight can prevent includes:

• Reducing the risk of heart disease
• Reducing the risk of stroke
• Reducing the risks of developing some forms of cancer
• Controlling non-insulin dependent diabetes
• Relieving back and joint tension
• Increasing energy levels
• Optimising the immune system
• Reducing the risks of osteoporosis
• Reducing infertility risks
• Reducing the risk of anaemia
• Having more self-esteem
• Increasing energy and welfare levels

Now that we have the benefits of a healthy weight sorted, it’s time to talk about low sugar fruits. Low sugar fruits have a host of benefits when it comes to lowering your body weight without following any dodgy fitness trends. Low sugar fruits are known to be low in calories and high in fibre, hence their ability to keep the body satiated whilst satisfying your sweet tooth.

But what fruits are the lowest in sugar that will get you to a healthy weight the fastest? Nutritionist and author of NY Times best-seller #GeniusFoods Max Lugavere explains this in one simple infographic.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Max Lugavere (@maxlugavere) on Feb 4, 2019 at 9:11am PST

According to Lugavere, he’s a “discriminate” fruit lover who’s picky with his fruit.

“I particularly enjoy low sugar fruits which are rich and micronutrients, and don’t provide a ton of glucose/fructose,” he explains.

“I save those higher sugar, usually cultivated fruit for special occasions (for example, apple season which l love).”

Lugavere also says that eating seasonally is one way to alternate your low sugar fruit consumption.

So there you have it. If you’re serious about losing weight and not starving yourself, these are the fruits that should be in your fridge.

RELATED: What You Need To Eat For Superior Strength & Endurance

The post Low Sugar Fruits You Should Be Eating appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Fashion, we all know, moves in cycles, and the resurgence of 70’s-inspired menswear has been a long time coming.  

While the 70’s represented a growing shift towards political conservatism, menswear mostly went the other way. 70’s style included everything from Robert Plant’s immodest, unbuttoned-everything classic rock look, Roger Moore’s flared grey trousers in Moonraker, and the iconic disco suit worn by John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever.

RELATED: Vintage Watches You Should Start Collecting Now

Whether it’s all corduroy everything, a porno stache, or flares large enough to hide a small family, the 70’s had its share of sartorial peculiarities and we think it’s high time, given its weirdly nostalgic resurgence, to give you a quick rundown on some of the hits and misses of 70’s style.

We’re not suggesting you go home in your classic navy suit and come back to work the next day with orange-tinted aviators, a paisley shirt and shearling jacket (but we admire your serious courage if you do).

Either way, this guide will reflect on some of the key representatives of menswear in the 70’s, and most importantly, your prospects for embarrassment if the last few years of decent menswear just isn’t enough for you.

70s Style Suits

70’s suit style was much more dramatic and masculine than its predecessors. Suits in the 60’s were mostly characterised by flat greys and blues, thin lapels, and a premature sense of grand-fatherliness.

The 70’s saw a steady evolution towards wider lapels, more dramatic cuts, and less conservative weaves and patterns that were beginning to gain traction in the late 60’s.

These were famously represented by silver screen immortals like Robert Redford and Paul Newman.

Hit or miss: Wide lapels are flattering on top-heavy blokes, by adding proportion to a broader frame. They can also beef up guys who need extra width across the chest. Avoid off-the-shoulder peaked lapels and you should be fine.

70s Style Trousers

Also known as bell-bottoms, flares have exaggerated leg openings below the knee. They were popular in denim and even on tailored clothes (not that anyone from the day is willing to admit it).

Again popular in womenswear, we’re yet to see a gent brave enough to bin his slim cut gear and decide to sacrifice his reputation over a pair of flares. For now we suggest opting for a pair of tapered, slim or stretch trousers to avoid jumping the gun. The same also goes for denim.   

Hit or miss: Miss. Roger Moore pulled it off on a suit, but you’re not Roger Moore (sorry kiddo).

Corduroy Jackets

Corduroy – a sturdy woven fabric contentiously termed as the poor man’s velvet – was a key wardrobe staple in the 1970’s, which is why every charity shop on earth has a humungous selection of cord pants and jackets for you to look ridiculous in.

You were especially cool if you had cord flares. Corduroy suits were another significant menswear moment in the decade, where we think it should stay.

Hit or miss: A corduroy jacket can look decent, with a dressed-down pair of wool pants and a knitted tie. Corduroy pants on anyone below retirement age should never happen. Corduroy suits look good on op-shop mannequins, but that’s pretty much it.

70s Style Turtlenecks

These are a source of contention, as every decade in recent history has seen its fair share of guys rocking the neck warming sleaze of a rollneck.

Although it originated well before the 20^th century for college athletes and military personnel, and was popular in the 50’s and 60’s, most of us like to put the 70’s and turtlenecks in the same basket. The rollneck has resurfaced in the mid 2010’s, without much of the seediness that it earned before the millennium.

Hit or miss: Bit of column A, a bit of column B. On the right person, a rollneck with a grey suit can look smart and understated as an alternative to a shirt and tie. On the wrong guy, you’ll look like a b-movie villain or the guy that clears out dance floors at shitty clubs. Up to you.

Polo Shirts

The predecessor of the polo shirt originated in the 19^th century and they became popular attire for tennis players and other athletes by the 20’s.

But it was Ralph Lauren in the 70’s that gave men a sartorial lifeline that meant they didn’t have to wear silk disco shirts to the club. If there’s one thing in 70’s style to not fall out of style, the polo is a leading contender.

Hit or miss: the trusty polo shirt is a reliable failsafe when a button-up shirt isn’t right and a tee shirt is too casual. Add a few into your rotation, but leave the outrageous 70’s style patterns at the Salvos.

70s Style Patterns

We saw hints of this in the turbulent days of the 1960’s. But it was the following decade that saw men grabbing patterns by the balls, and thus giving their children and grandchildren something to laugh about while perusing family photo collections down the track.

Paisley, geometrics, the more colour the better. The 70’s wasn’t a time to be shy. Your dad probably has a paisley shirt tucked away somewhere that reminds him of the glory days, when the Bee Gees were king, and it seemed like the party would never end (it did).

Hit or miss: incorporate a few statement pieces – paisley ties, a geometric shirt – for one off occasions or if your usual rotation of no-pattern block colours is putting everyone to sleep. Just keep the silk disco shirts to a minimum (ie, zero).

Shearling Jackets

Shearling coats are distinctive due to the processed fur around the lapel and internal lining of the jacket. Shearling coats have enjoyed considerable longevity – they were worn by pilots in the Second World War and became sartorially commonplace thanks to their presence on the silver screen. 

The 70’s took the whole wider-lapel thing to heart and transposed it to these jackets. Shearling with a suede shell is about as 70’s style as you can get.

Hit or miss: Shearling coats are sturdy, versatile pieces you can combine with casual or tailored outfits. Work them into a tee-and-chino combination or with a turtleneck if you’re brave enough to cop the jibes from your mates.

70s Men’s Hairstyles

Every decade has had its share of outrageous hairstyles for those inclined, but guys let their hair down in the 70’s (literally). Styles grew longer, shaggier, and less tame.

Men were no longer confined to rigid slicked back hair that required a bucket load of grease and a morning of work with a comb. AMC’s Mad Men is a good example – we see Don Draper’s slickback recede (into the background) to be replaced by long, unkempt cuts that would become the common thing in the 1970’s.

Hit or Miss: At least the 70’s shaggy do isn’t a mullet, and longer styles are gaining traction again. Keep it tidy and clean, but remember that your boss might not approve even if your missus does. 

70s Style Facial Hair

Nope, Thomas Magnum didn’t get there first. The 60s, for all intents and purposes, had opened the follicular floodgates, and in the 70’s, facial hair resurfaced as a marker of virility.

A close shave was by no means a compulsory exercise and many men took advantage as best they could. Popular styles included thick horseshoe moustaches, mutton chops, and the chevron.

Hit or miss: A glorious handlebar or chevron mo is a hard trophy to win, and some conservative workplaces still get funny about facial hair. That aside, a subtle retro throwback like a well-appointed moustache isn’t the worst sartorial crime you could commit (that’s what disco suits are for).

The post 70s Fashion Men’s Fashion: A Guide To 70s Men’s Style appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

You may have heard that the male birth control pill is on the horizon along with other 'temporary vasectomies', but did you ever wonder how men felt about ingesting a pill that's designed to put their invaluable sperm to sleep?

Wonder no more - the men of Reddit have come together to discuss thei...

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The post Men Admit Why They Would Never Consider Taking “Male Birth Control” Pills appeared first on D'MARGE.

Cabernet Sauvignon was, like many of us, a happy accident. However, instead of forcing your parents to get married and buy an SUV, Cabernet Sauvignon’s 17th century birth led to one of the most popular red wines the world has seen.

In other words: we owe a great deal to the poor French farmers who unwittingly allowed the red Cabernet Franc grape plant to ignite the loins of a white Sauvignon Blanc, generating an offspring of thick durable skin, and an impressive resistance to the elements. 

After the birth of this new grape, Cabernet Sauvignon (literally) grew in popularity all across the south west of France, planted by winemakers seeking more durable plants that were relatively easy to grow. Cab Sav then found its champion in the region of Bordeaux, and the rest is history. 

Adding to Cabernet Sauvignon’s success was the grape’s relatively high level of tannins, which meant the wine could evolve in the bottle for decades. It also responded well to oak, which—winemakers quickly discovered—created flavours that added a whole new reverb to “oh la laaa”. The result, as the experts over at Vine Pair explain, “Was a full-bodied (wine) with a medium level of acidity that was fantastic for drinking with food.”

Becoming one of the most lusted after wines on the planet, Cabernet Sauvignon was—until Merlot overtook it in the 90’s—the most widely planted grape in the world. This took it to Australia in the mid 1880’s. Although it took some time to seduce the antipodes, once it found its way to moderate climate regions like Coonawarra and Margaret River it became a staple ingredient in many classic Australian blends, as well as a successful standalone single varietal wine. 

“It is a variety that can age gracefully for decades and is a feature in many of Australia’s most historic and successful wines,” (Wine Australia). 

While its cousin, Sauvignon Blanc, is something you might drink with your conservative grandmother over an insipid flathead fillet, Cabernet Sauvignon is best drunk alongside a juicy steak and juicier company. However, to ensure your selection doesn’t leave you and your guests’ mouths drier than the Sahara, you’ll want to choose wisely. 

Enter: the experts.

From a premium Sydney Italian restaurant to a top notch Melbourne wine bar (and Australia’s largest independent wine auction house), we asked Australia’s leading sommeliers for their favourite Cabernet Sauvignons. So next time you’re trying to impress the stony faced in-laws, a big-shot client or your long-suffering partner, these are the Cab Savs they recommend you get your mitts on.  

Yara Yering Carrodus Cabernet Sauvignon, Yarra Valley, VIC

Vintage: 2016

Picked by: Chiara Danieli, head sommelier at Matteo Downtown.

The lowdown: blueberry and blackberry fruits interweaved with cassis, and wafts of sage highlight this varietal’s characteristics; a cool climate cabernet sauvignon with floral vibrancy, the palate is rich and round where berry fruits dominate, some classic leafy herbs add a savoury note and the natural acidity gives the wine life and longevity.

Buy @ Yarra Yering  $275

Highbank Cabernet Sauvignon, Single Vineyard, Coonawarra, SA

Vintage: 2015

Picked by: Sean McManus, bright-eyed sommelier at Sydney Italian restaurant Alberto, in Surrey Hills. 

The lowdown: from a seasonal point of view, a mild summer and long ripening period have produced an outstanding (and strong) Cabernet, hand pruned, hand picked and grown without chemicals. Blasts of blackcurrant leap from the glass whilst cool calm savoury waves crash against a generous palette that is conservative with fruit and hints of mint chocolate. This wine is wound up tight and is begging for a gasp of oxygen. Pure and luscious.

Buy @ Highbank Wine $89

Juniper Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, WA

Vintage: 2013

Picked by: Mark Willoughby, head honcho at Esoterica Wine & Food, a wine bar in Fitzroy. 

The lowdown: Margaret River Cabernet is one of the great wines of Australia; so too unfortunately is the price. Juniper Estate Cabernet is at the “bang for buck” end of the spectrum where you get to experience the show without having to discuss it over with the bank manager first. Traditional and new wave at the same time; look at this for that special gift for the wine lover in your life.

Buy @ Cracka Wines  $70

Cullen The Vanya Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, WA

Vintage: 2015 

Picked by: Nick Stamford, Managing Director of MW Wines in Collingwood, Australia’s largest independent wine auction house.

The lowdown: This Cab Sav is bright and deep purple with beautifully integrated oak. Fine powdery tannins with lashings of cedar and mixed berries. Delicious and also one of the most serious cabernets to be made in this country. Cullen’s ambitious biodynamic winemaking has reached a whole new level here.

Buy @ MW Wines  $529 

St Hugo Private Collection Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, SA

Vintage: 2012

Picked by: Chris Sheehy, Champagne Ambassador at Pernod Ricard.

The lowdown: Classic Coonawarra. Far more balanced than distinctive. Dense and structured. Can’t go wrong…

Buy @ Dan Murphy’s $129.99

Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon, SA

Vintage: 2015

Picked by: Luc Wiesman, founder of D’Marge and avid wine drinker. 

The lowdown: this is an epic Cab Sav that offers varietal definition and approachability, but still has depth of flavour (read: crowd pleaser). It also highlights the prodigious South Australia region from which it grew, featuring multi-vineyard blending and a core of ripe fruit supported by the gentle influence of French and American oak.

“Deep, bright red/purple colour, fresh and youthful, with a very clear-edged cabernet varietal nose featuring mulberry, crushed leaf and cassis,” (Fairfax).

Buy @ BWS $105

Bowen Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, SA

Vintage: 2016

Picked by: James Booth, writer at D’Marge and sommelier wannabe…

The lowdown: If you’re after something more affordable, but still get the classic Cab Sav delicacy of flavour and tannin-endowed backbone; Bowen Estate’s 2016 vintage is worth a squiz either to satisfy your thirst now, or be left to age until 2041, when it will be worth considerably more than $30. Think ripe blackberry, good oak, and a dark—borderline purple—red. 

Buy @ Langton’s  $30

Read Next

• The Best Australian Merlots 
• The Best Australian Shiraz
• The Best Australian Pinot Noir

The post Professional Sommeliers Reveal The Top Cabernet Sauvignon Wines In Australia Right Now appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Scientists appear to have found the reason why men aren’t as sharp as women in the IQ department and it’s not your fault.

The human brain is subject to shrinking over age but the latest studies suggest that the brains of men diminish faster than women’s. This finding falls in line with the brain’s metabolism which slows as we age, a process which researchers believe may differ between men and women.

The controversial (and probably not very surprising) result was uncovered by the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis who found that women’s brains were approximately three years younger than men of the same chronological year on a metabolic scale.

“It’s not that men’s brains age faster – they start adulthood about three years older than women, and that persists throughout life,” explains the paper’s senior author Manu Goyal, MD, who is also the assistant professor of radiology at the university.

“What we don’t know is what it means. I think this could mean that the reason women don’t experience as much cognitive decline in later years is because their brains are effectively younger, and we’re currently working on a study to confirm that.”

The studies were based off tests of reason, memory and problem solving and revealed that older women tended to score higher than men of the same age.

It involved looking at how female and male brains used sugar differently via a pool of 121 women and 84 men ranging in age from 20 to 82 years.

The complex algorithmic process yielded brain ages an average of 3.8 years younger than the women’s chronological ages. For the men the same test showed that men’s brains were 2.4 years older than their true ages.

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