Event puts spotlight on NZ’s pinot noir
Event puts spotlight on NZ’s pinot noir
It is an important time in Wellington for New Zealand wine, and for New Zealand pinot noir in particular.
Mark Henderson
Sumptuous reds to combat summer chill
Sumptuous reds to combat summer chill
Last week's attempt to shine a little sunshine through the lens of a glass of sauvignon blanc might be deemed a dismal failure, given the weather bomb that made its way up the island on Wednesday.
Pick of the bunch: fruity sauvignon blanc
Pick of the bunch: fruity sauvignon blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a year-round wine for most wine drinkers but I have to buck the trend. There is something about the vibrant summer sunshine in a glass of sauv that shrieks to me of ... well,...
Intense wines made from grey grapes
Intense wines made from grey grapes
With a number of Marlborough wines in the tasting today, please spare a thought for the wineries after the destructive earthquakes, for the losses and damage that they have suffered.
It's sauvignon blanc - but not as we know it
It's sauvignon blanc, but not as we know it
At the Sauvignon Blanc Celebration in Marlborough earlier this year, a couple of influential overseas critics cautioned against wholesale changes to the style of wine.
French variety a welcome new addition
French variety a welcome new addition
Petit Manseng is not a grape that regularly trips off the tongue of New Zealand wine lovers. However, a small band of pioneers already has great hopes for this unsung French white variety.
Stories of wine and those who make it
Stories of wine and those who make it
In this week's Wine Times, Mark Henderson recommends some books about wine and wine makers, and tries out three chardonnays.
Wines to try over the festive season
Wines to try over the festive season
The festive season brings many occasions and get-togethers. Mark Henderson has a few suggestions on the liquids side.
Age has served these pinots well
Age has served these pinots well
Commercial pressures often mean new vintages are quickly on to the market but here we have a crop from vintage 2013, and almost all new releases. What's that saying? ''Thirteen, lucky for some''.
Wine-makers, growers learn craft quickly
Wine-makers, growers learn craft quickly
Our first commercial release of syrah in the modern age was just 25 years ago.
The friends, food and frivolity drink
The friends, food and frivolity drink
Not that terribly long ago, rose was very much a summer tipple and bottles left on retailers' shelves at the end of March sat unloved until late spring, says reviewer Mark Henderson.
Funding sought for pop-up urban winery
Funding sought for pop-up urban winery
In a local twist on a trend that has been gathering momentum overseas (that of urban wineries), earlier this year, Central Otago winemaker Brendan Seal ran a pop-up winery in the old Gresham Hotel...
Entry-level pinot
Entry-level pinot
Mark Henderson samples some pinot noir.
Podium finishes
Podium finishes
Glance around the shelves of the local wine shop and medal stickers glisten temptingly from all sides.
Fragrant and floral offerings
Fragrant and floral offerings
Mark Henderson previews some wine events around the country and samples some gruner and gewurztraminer.
Chardonnays with plenty to impress
Chardonnays with plenty to impress
Wine reviewer Mark Henderson is enjoying reacquainting himself with chardonnay.
Learning with a book and glass in hand
Learning with a book and glass in hand
Mark Henderson shares tips on learning more about wine.
Trophy for best blind taster
Trophy for best blind taster
A recent Sunday afternoon saw 15 friends and wine-lovers crowd my lounge to take part in the annual Blind Chicken Wine Options competition, Mark Henderson writes.
Harvest culmination of the yearly cycle
Harvest culmination of the yearly cycle
Wine reviewer Mark Henderson explains what's meant by vintage.
Pinots of 2014-15 tasty drops
Pinots of 2014-15 tasty drops
Mark Henderson samples some fine pinot noir.