Mark Henderson

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Water, water, everywhere ... and all of it to drink

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Water, water, everywhere ... and all of it to drink

It's not every day of the week that you get rung up and asked if you will be a guest judge in a water competition - we’re not talking bottled waters here, but NZ tap water.

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Chardonnay’s versatility makes it ready for autumn

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Chardonnay’s versatility makes it ready for autumn

Now that autumn has finally kicked in, I find myself gravitating to Chardonnay as it is a wine style that is very user friendly with a range of foods and has the palate weight that cooler times seem to have me craving.

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Lack of Central Chardonnays tasted prompts grouping

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Lack of Central Chardonnays tasted prompts grouping

Each year that I spend a few days up in Central over harvest, I get to share in a wide range of wines both local and international, which is informative, educational and rather fun.

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Tasteful chardonnays to reach for at every price point

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Tasteful chardonnays to reach for at every price point

If there was one recurring comment that I can report from readers it would be asking why I don’t review more less-expensive wines?

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Awards for Dunedin distillery, Central Otago wineries

Felton Road Winery. PHOTO: ALLIED PRESS FILES

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Awards for Dunedin distillery, Central Otago wineries

It's always a pleasure to applaud local successes and Dunedin Craft Distillery is buzzing after their results at the 2023 London Spirits Competition.

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Smaller labels start to redefine classic sauvignon blanc

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Smaller labels start to redefine classic sauvignon blanc

There is often debate in wine circles as to whether change is a good thing.

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Sav Blanc powerhouse

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Sav Blanc powerhouse

A bit of a double header in the works as I catch up on some sauvignon blanc samples that are due their time in the sun.

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Riesling — Miley Cyrus’ favourite (or maybe not)

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Riesling — Miley Cyrus’ favourite (or maybe not)

Could Miley Cyrus be a secret Riesling fan?

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Refreshing dip into the familiar and not-so-familiar

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Refreshing dip into the familiar and not-so-familiar

Today's column includes both the well-known and less well-known.

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For the times, they are a-changin’

Cheers to a wee dram over Easter. Photo: Getty Images

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For the times, they are a-changin’

There's something intrinsically warming about a tumbler of whisky, luxuriated in at the end of a day, writes Mark Henderson.

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New Zealand Bordeaux blends show their class

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New Zealand Bordeaux blends show their class

A little while ago I did a "double-header" of sorts with two columns featuring the wines from the Gimblett Gravels dozen.

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Pinot noirs and a friend

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Pinot noirs and a friend

Readers may note that I recently slipped an interloper (quelle horreur!) into a line-up of pinot noirs with the addition of a gamay.

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Gamay stands out among a quintet of pinots

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Gamay stands out among a quintet of pinots

The Beatles line "I get by with a little help from my friends" may be appropriate today as a Gamay completed a tasting flight with a group of Central Pinot Noirs.

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Aromatics show their personalities

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Aromatics show their personalities

A spot of aromatherapy today, highlighting two trios of what are often dubbed aromatic varieties, with some of the wines flaunting a touch of sweetness.

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Small details, big differences

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Small details, big differences

Talk to a viticulturist or winemaker and their eyes will light up at the variations in aroma, flavour and mouth-feel that different sites offer.

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Gravels delivers shining lights from difficult days

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Gravels delivers shining lights from difficult days

Gimblett Gravels winegrowers reported a "textbook perfect" and remarkably early growing season in 2020.

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Wonderful selection of reds

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Wonderful selection of reds

I eagerly look forward to the Gimblett Gravels Dozen: this 13th rendition marks the second in a trio of wonderful vintages with my high expectations being met.

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Enjoying a few wines with family and friends

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Enjoying a few wines with family and friends

I’m writing this from Takaka in the far north west of the South Island, though the wines were tasted just before Christmas.

Looking beyond Central Pinots

I have had a raft of Pinot Noir samples arriving recently.

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Satisfying, solid Syrah line-up

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Satisfying, solid Syrah line-up

Living and working in the south of the country, I don’t get to see Hawke’s Bay wines as much as I do those from Central, so it was quite a treat looking forward to a range of Syrahs.

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Mark Henderson