AceHighWine

Max Veenhuyzen is a 20-something - though perilously close to 30-something - writer in Western Australia who was fortunate enough to land a writing job straight out of uni after finishing his studies in journalism and creative writing.

After toiling in the glamorous world of on-hold copywriting, he luckboxed his way into a job at Community Newspaper Group and since then has had the privilege of being able to write on a variety of topics that are close to his heart.

For almost a year, he penned a weekly wine column in the Guardian Express entitled “Grape Expectations” (which had apparently already been picked by a writer on the other side of the country. Oops, my bad) which sadly ended when its section in the paper ceased to exist.

While he is still called upon by editors across the newspaper group for pieces on all things gastronomic (as well as advice on food and wine by various members of staff), it is mainly through freelance work that Max is able to share his love with the epicurious.

He established a website in 2005 entitled yum.org.au that was dedicated to food, drink and life in WA but through the power of evolution, the website and its associated monthly newsletter “Tasting Notes” morphed into www.acehighwine.com which also factored in his love of poker (not to be confused with “gambling”).

While Max’s lightly-subbed words on wine can be glossed over in West Australian lifestyle magazine Scoop where he is a regular panel leader in Scoop’s quarterly tastings, the tenure he is most proud of is that of “apprentice chairman” on the tasting panel for Peter Forrestal’s Quaff - the annual guide to the best wines available in Australia for less than $15.

While he doubts he’ll ever be able to match the ruthless efficiency and take-no-prisoners approach of current panel chair Neville Phillips, the privilege of tasting alongside such distinguished palates as John Jens, Peter Forrestal, the good doctor Neville and the ever-forthright Will Nairn is reason enough to risk speed camera prosecution in the mad dash to get from Northbridge to Scarborough in half an hour through peak hour traffic on a Tuesday night - sometimes Monday as well if Max’s playing commitments to his indoor soccer club WFC allow.

Max is also the first Australian to have won the PokerStars Sunday Million tournament - beating out a record 8063 runners on the March 2 edition of the weekly $200+$15 no limit hold’em tournament to pocket more than US$160,000.