Max Allen moved from the UK to Australia in 1993 and has since become one of that country’s most outstanding drinks’ writers. His most recent book, Intoxicating, is a personal history of booze in Australia, told through the prism of ten very different drinks. We discussed the myth of the “dry continent”, how the arrival of rum changed the country for ever, why Aussies really love Champagne and what Aboriginal people were really drinking before the First Fleet arrived.

To read more about Max, have a look at his website. You can also follow him on Instagram @maxallendrinks.

Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify. You can listen to this week’s episode, plus my back catalogue of interviews with some of the world’s most extraordinary wine figures.