Distillery shows spirited innovation
Distillery shows spirited innovation
Many wine enthusiasts enjoy a wide range of flavour experiences, and boutique spirits fit that bill.
Mark Henderson
Get ready for a celebration
Get ready for a celebration
For all its many devotees, every day can be a sauvignon blanc day given its accessibility, affordability and sheer all-around drinkability.
Shift from duty free to retail
Shift from duty free to retail
As our quarantine-free air corridors to Australia open, money will be spent on goods and services in both countries: a lifeline for a number of businesses.
Riesling rewards attention
Riesling rewards attention
Like a lot of people involved in the wine industry, I love riesling, and have also sometimes pondered whether it might be riesling’s moment to shine in the sun.
Pinot noir from further north
Pinot noir from further north
Today's clutch of wines hail from Marlborough and North Canterbury.
Arrivals from 2019 welcome
Arrivals from 2019 welcome
While release dates for individual wineries can vary (with a number of 2017s and 2018s still current), more and more of the 2019s are coming to market. It's a vintage that many NZ regions are delighted with.
A new vintage is born
A new vintage is born
From a religious perspective, Easter is a celebration of rebirth, and there are parallels across Otago wineries in the birth of the new 2021 vintage, writes Mark Henderson.
Harvest time looms in Central
Harvest time looms in Central
It's that time of year again when harvest will be in the offing in Central Otago; it’s slightly later in the Waitaki, writes Mark Henderson.
Catching up with rieslings
Catching up with rieslings
I have been in catch-up mode recently, trying to publish reviews for wines that I’ve tasted a while back, but which I haven’t had enough space in my column for.
Spoiled for choice
Spoiled for choice
The range of chardonnay styles out there, means there is pretty much something for everyone.
Fruity, salty rose refreshing
Fruity, salty rose refreshing
As rose becomes more about its own identity and style, we are seeing less mention of the grape variety/ies that produce it.
Depth, potential and interest
Depth, potential and interest
I’ve had a soft spot for Hawke’s Bay syrah since stumbling upon the Stonecroft cellar door some 30 years ago.
Red blends show confidence
Red blends show confidence
The 2018 vintage Gimblett Gravels dozen is split into six blended reds and six syrahs.
Changing times at wineries
Changing times at wineries
Karen and Murray Turner at River-T Wines in the Waitaki have sold "lock, stock and barrel", while there are new owners also for Carrick Wines in Bannockburn.
Pinot gris ascending
Pinot gris ascending
After talking to my regular tasting panel of Collins and McLaren, I’ve decided that I may be the odd one out.
Something for the barbecue
Something for the barbecue
Recent long, warm evenings are crying out for a bit more barbecue action and Mark Henderson shares some Kiwi wines to enjoy.
A tasty look at sav blancs
A tasty look at sav blancs
Mid-January. Depending on where you are as you read this, you may be basking in the glow of summer and dreaming of a cool sav blanc.
Enchanted by pinot noir selection
Enchanted by pinot noir selection
Sometimes, I sit down with my regular tasting buddies, Collins and McLaren, and it just feels like the stars align.
A white Christmas down under
A white Christmas down under
Attending end-of-year events recently was a stark reminder of how fortunate we are to be living in New Zealand with social interaction the norm, while outside our border many countries are doing it...
Regaining favour
Regaining favour
The red grape malbec is a native of France, where it is best known as one of the "so-called" Bordeaux varieties.