The road less travelled
The road less travelled
Mark Henderson suggests some wines that may broaden your horizons.
Mark Henderson
Changing world of cellar doors
Changing world of cellar doors
After acquiring ''the wine bug'' many years ago, it was a natural progression to visit winery cellar doors, Mark Henderson writes.
'Tis the season for a splurge
'Tis the season for a splurge
Among the rush of last-minute things to do before Christmas, there is also the decision of what wines to serve on the day itself.
'Tis the season to start talking bubbly
'Tis the season to start talking bubbly
If you asked most consumers to name a style of bubbly, there is little doubt that Champagne would top the chart, yet there are a raft of other styles produced around the world, writes Mark Henderson.
Wine times: A little air and time can work wonders
A little air and time can work wonders
Today's tasting flight was a classic example of what a little air (and time) can add to a wine, writes Mark Henderson.
Turning up rosés
Turning up rosés
With rosé firmly in the ascendancy, there/s a high likelihood that it is going to cross your path over the festive season, says Mark Henderson.
Blend it like Beckham
Blend it like Beckham
Some things are made to go together: ham and cheese, Vegemite and avocado, Champagne and oysters - items that are delicious by themselves but form an even more enticing harmony and synergy when...
Winners cover all the bases
Winners cover all the bases
My inbox is getting its fair share of press releases as results from a swag of recent wine shows go public and are published.
Southern syrahs shine
Southern syrahs shine
My first tasting after an overseas break, with Messrs Collins and McLaren champing at the bit to join me. A line-up of 2016 New Zealand syrah beckoned, covering the gamut of price points, and...
Life through rosé tinted glasses
Life through rosé tinted glasses
It cannot have escaped your notice that spring has, well, sprung.
Pleasing pinots
Pleasing pinots
In putting together today's column, I was struck by the similarity in my scores.
Northern (high)lights
Northern (high)lights
There is a wine term called "developing a cellar palate", which is particularly topical for winery staff, but pertinent for anyone who drinks the same wines over and over again.
Meeting friends, old and new
Meeting friends, old and new
Sitting down to a line-up of Central Otago pinot noirs always brings a smile to my face - there's a little bit of the catching up with an old friend sort of feeling about it for me.
Sumptuous fruity pinot gris
Sumptuous fruity pinot gris
There are times when there's nothing more enticing than the sumptuous fruitiness of a well put together pinot gris, writes Mark Henderson.
Anything but blanc looks
Anything but blanc looks
I have been bouncing around with all manner of wine styles recently, and have possibly neglected the grape variety that has made us famous the world over - sauvignon blanc - so today I will rectify...
Win for young Otago viticulturist
Win for young Otago viticulturist
The finals of the 2018 Bayer Young Viticulturist of the Year competition were held in the Wairarapa at the end of August and the winner was announced at the Bragato dinner in Wellington on August 30.
Doing the can-can
Doing the can-can
The proliferation of cask wines in the 1970s and '80s proved to be groundbreaking for the wine industry: democratising wine, and making it accessible and affordable.
Pinot noir pleasure
Pinot noir pleasure - tackling a top-quality tasting
My tasting associate Mr Collins and I have been sitting down to a binge of pinot noirs recently ("binge'' - now that's an interesting addition to the collective noun compendium).
Otago rieslings worthy of praise
Otago rieslings worthy of praise
A couple of weekends ago, I had a thoroughly enjoyable Saturday visiting Central Otago cellar doors.
Muscat works the gamut of wine styles
Muscat works the gamut of wine styles
Geographers, and those with an interest in the Arab world, will recognise Muscat as the capital of Oman.