Plenty of choices for pinot gris fans
Plenty of choices for pinot gris fans
Pinot Gris is New Zealand's fourth-most planted variety and producer by volume, behind sauvignon blanc, pinot noir and chardonnay.
Mark Henderson
Undone doing the Blind Chicken
Undone doing the Blind Chicken
On a recent Sunday, 16 wine enthusiasts sat down to engage their brains and palates at the annual Blind Chicken wine-tasting competition.
Wine lovers head to Clyde
Wine lovers head to Clyde
Labour Weekend will see wine lovers flocking to Clyde for the annual Alexandra Basin Winegrowers New Releases Wine Tasting.
Proof of a fine season
Proof of a fine season
Today's Pinot Noir were assembled over a number of tasting flights, but are compiled together for clarity, and reinforce my belief that 2017 will be ranked as one of the great vintages.
Chardonnay in mind
Chardonnay in mind
At the recent New Zealand International Film Festival, I watched a screening of the Kiwi wine doco A Seat at the Table, which (as a wine obsessive) I thoroughly enjoyed.
`Tis the season to... get stuck in to some hearty reds
`Tis the season to... get stuck in to some hearty reds
Spring is is a great season to enjoy hearty reds.
Gourley's win keeps trophy in Otago
Gourley's win keeps trophy in Otago
Simon Gourley, of Domaine Thomson wines in Central Otago, recently won the Bayer Young viticulturist of the year competition, ensuring that the trophy remains in Central Otago following last year's...
California dreaming
California dreaming
As we (hopefully) banish the cool days of winter and transition into the longer daylight hours of spring, there is definitely a place for full-bodied white wines that can complement a meal, yet...
Change of season
Change of season
It's that time of year when you'll become aware of the very first wines from 2019 trickling on to the shelves as sun-warmed grapes on the vine in February and March find themselves transformed into...
The road less travelled
The road less travelled
Recently, I was reading Wines of the French Alps, which focuses on some very much lesser-known regions and grape varieties.
Industry talent getting into it
Industry talent getting into it
The Mercurey Young Winemaker competition is open to under-30s working in all aspects of wine production. The Otago regional competition was held last week at Vinpro in Cromwell.
Power to the pinot
Power to the pinot
As land planted to pinot noir in Central Otago has surged, the volumes of fruit and wine produced have led to a corresponding increase in lower-priced offerings.
Singularly different
Singularly different
As time goes along and vineyards, wine-makers and the industry mature, there is growing understanding and confidence as to what each vineyard will express.
Long, slow ripening helps to build up the flavours
Long, slow ripening helps to build up the flavours
There can be a perception that great vintages are always the hot, sun-kissed years but this isn't necessarily the case, particularly when it comes to pinot noir.
Archangel Wines sold to Australian group
Archangel Wines sold to Australian group
It can seem like the only constant in wine is change.
I see red, I see red, I see red
I see red, I see red, I see red
The changing of the seasons marks a changing of the guard for wines too, as reds overtake whites and roses in popularity.
No 1 in syrah aim shows how emphasis has shifted
No 1 in syrah aim shows how emphasis has shifted
Many years ago, I attended a trade tasting hosted by John Hancock, then chief winemaker for Trinity Hill in Hawke's Bay.
Embracing the blend
Embracing the blend
Today's assortment eschews the concept of single variety wines in favour of embracing the blend.
Sniffy view wrong
Sniffy view wrong
We humans have very good olfactory sense, that with attention and practice can detect a startlingly wide array of aromas in wine.
NZ's 'hero' variety
NZ's 'hero' variety
After a string of pinot noir tastings, the dynamic duo of Collins and McLaren sat down with me for a tasting of sauvignon blanc, highlighting a number of value offerings.