Grape harvest a chance to deepen knowledge
Having some understanding of where and how a glass of wine is grown and made adds another layer of interest to the total experience, writes Mark Henderson.
Food & Wine
Geology lesson reward for climb up to vineyard
Geology lesson reward for climb up to vineyard
During the recent grape harvest, a small window of opportunity allowed me to scamper up the hill to the Prophet's Rock Vineyard in Bendigo, where I met Paul Pujol and Francois Millet.
Singular selection
Singular selection
Regular readers will know I try to taste (and report back on) wines in flights of comparable wines.
'Vigilance' pays off
'Vigilance' pays off
The 2016 growing season in Hawke's Bay was cooler early, but a warmer January, February and March saw growing degree days catch up to the long-term average.
Selection worth the wait
Selection worth the wait
I'm often approached by people celebrating a significant event - a wedding, a birth, the founding of a new business - wishing to buy wines from that same year to open in the future.
The last of the summer wine
The last of the summer wine
For some obscure reason, Compo came into my mind the other day - not the ACC mind you, but the character in the TV series The Last of the Summer Wine, writes Mike Henderson.
Villa Maria ranked No 3 brand in world
Villa Maria ranked No 3 brand in world
Having made Drinks International's top 10 for the past four years, Villa Maria leapt into a podium spot, ranked No 3 in the world.
Pressing ahead with grape harvest preparations
Pressing ahead with grape harvest preparations
As you read this, preparations for harvest 2019 in Otago will be getting under way: machinery is checked and re-checked, tanks and barrels are cleaned, and wineries are generally made shipshape for...
An Australian sojourn
An Australian sojourn
Following up from last week's all shiraz/syrah contingent, I've gone all Australian this week and spread the net to encompass some other varieties/blends, as man ("or woman Brian,'' to quote a...
Summer sun in a glass
Summer sun in a glass
After an early surge of enthusiasm was dampened by spring and early summer rains, my barbecue has sat somewhat forlornly unwanted on the deck.
Sauvignon blanc no 'one trick pony'
Sauvignon blanc no 'one trick pony'
My good friends and tasting buddies Messrs Collins and McLaren recently attended a Sunday tasting with friends (which, sadly, I was unable to attend). The theme was 'What I want to drink more of in...
Cool and refreshing
Cool and refreshing
The recent hot days have had me wavering in my wine choices, with the temperatures seemingly demanding a coolish white, while I'm yearning for a red (popping a red into the fridge for 15 minutes on...
What's in a name?
What's in a name?
Glera will mean nothing to most of you - it's the rather dull name for the grape variety that, until 2009, was known as prosecco.
Kiwi wines strut their stuff
Kiwi wines strut their stuff
The last fortnight has been a hectic and important one for the New Zealand wine industry, Mark Henderson writes.
A little bit of R&R
A little bit of R&R
As we move into what should be warm and settled weather, it's time for riesling and rose, writes Mark Henderson.
The road less travelled
The road less travelled
Mark Henderson suggests some wines that may broaden your horizons.
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.
Conviviality and value too
Conviviality and value too
Christmas certainly puts a strain on your wallet!
'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.
