Mark Henderson

Today’s line-up revolves around a quintet of Central Otago offerings along with a interloper from Hawke’s Bay.

Among the frontrunners for “alternative or emerging varieties” popping up in New Zealand, Albarino might just have snuck its head into the lead, but only by a nose (forgive the pun).

I’ve been tasting some of the lesser known (in NZ) grape varieties recently and wanted to showcase three excellent examples that would be great introductions to their respective varieties.

If you follow the Burgundian pinot noir model, then the very finest vineyard sites have proved themselves over hundreds of years, designated Grand Crus or Premier Crus.

In this age of immediacy, many may struggle with the concept of cellaring wine or see it as an odd anachronism, with all the usual questions and caveats at the very least, a hindrance to the pursuit.

More than three decades ago I went up to Bannockburn to help friends plant their new vineyard.

I hope to get in a couple of tastings of Central Pinot Noir in the next few weeks as a sort of precursor to heading up to Bannockburn for harvest myself for a few days.

A question I’m asked frequently is "how are things in Marlborough"?

NZ Wine sent out a media release this week regarding the grape harvest across NZ.

Summer's failure to make an appearance this year scuppered my plans for today’s trio of mixed pairs, but all is not lost.

Today's lineup really is a "sextet of sizzling Shardonnay" (yes, I do recognise the spelling mistake ... it’s just me being prone to alliteration).

I have indulged in a few older pinot noirs from the cellar over the holiday period, so I enjoyed the chance to taste through this wonderful selection of current release wines

For many, new year comes with resolutions.

When I reflect back on the earliest years of my passion for wine, some 40-odd years ago, pinot noir wasn’t really on the radar.

Wine columnist Mark Henderson searches out the emerging makers of brandy or fine in Otago.