Mark Henderson

Delightful drops from hot season

The majority of Central pinot noirs on the shelves at the moment are from the 2018 vintage. This was an exceptionally hot season from December through until the beginning of March, when cooler,...

A wine for everyone

Today's assortment is a trio of terrifically tasty twosomes.

One of the great pleasures of my job is the diversity of wines that cross my path, writes Mark Henderson. They may be from tiny boutique, or large-scale producers, local and international with price points that span the gamut.

Good value from the Hawkes Bay

I get frequent comments from fellow Dunedinites who enjoy reading the column each week, which is always heartening to hear.

Rieslings not just sweet

It's a common misconception that all rieslings are just sweet, writes Mark Henderson.

‘Rogue vines’ obvious

Very many years ago, I helped friends plant out their vineyard.

Embracing freedom

With international tourism on hold due to Covid-19 domestic tourism is going to be a make or break for many businesses.

A tasting of two halves

After many weeks of tasting alone during lockdown, the shift to Level 2 allowed my old tasting compatriots Messrs Collins and McLaren to sit in once again.

Raising a glass to diversity

Diversity is a word oft heard nowadays, yet a cursory glance at NZ Winegrowers stats could make you think otherwise.

Easy to overlook northern offerings

Living in Otago, we are blessed with easy access to a wealth of great pinot noir and, from speaking to wine shop owners over the years, it is clear that our local customer base enjoys ‘‘drinking...

Isolation heightens focus

Like many of you, I took part in a number of Zoom meetings during lockdown, including wine tastings.

Chardonnay a true peach of a grape

This collection of chardonnays covers the gamut of pricing from widely available value-for-money offerings through to scarce, limited-release bottlings.

Sunshine in a glass

I was talking to a friend in Central Otago recently, who said that the trees had dropped their leaves and, with their bare branches reaching for the sky, that there was a feeling of the plant world...

Now for something very different

While unlikely to be found on the shelves of your local super, there's a relatively new category of wine beginning to gain traction in the marketplace. These are ‘‘Orange’’ wines, also known as amber, skin contact or skin fermented wines.

Aromas leap from glass

After feeling a little autumnal a few weeks back, and dipping my toes into some Hawke’s Bay reds, a glimmer of an Indian summer has sent me back towards the white wines.

Wine, land, stories toasted

Otago Daily Times wine columnist Mark Henderson (centre left in checked shirt) at the Pinot Noir...

Wine, land, stories toasted

Fresh wine columnist Mark Henderson recently attended the 14th Central Otago Pinot Celebration. He tells us about friendships and self-belief.

Savs lead the charge

The term ‘‘essential industry’’ has joined our lexicon in recent weeks with horticulture and viticulture both getting the green light to continue work, providing that social distancing...

Extending the pleasure

One of life’s little pleasures in what are clearly unprecedented times for us all may well be a glass of wine with dinner.

Autumnal turn beckons red wines

There is a new addition to the family at our place with the arrival of Dusty the rabbit.

Chardonnay and friends

Time often creeps up on me and with the calendar having ticked into March, it’s a rude reminder that some of this week’s wines, tasted at the end of last year, are long overdue their moment in the...

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Mark Henderson