Wine Reviews

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Chardonnay - Otago’s rising star

It's hard to believe 1994 was more than 30 years ago. That year I drove to Bannockburn to help my friends Steve and Barbara plant their Cairnmuir Road Vineyard that later became Carrick.

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More than the single gewurztraminer in the supermarket

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More than the single gewurztraminer in the supermarket

Back in late January, the family and I did a bit of a road trip around the South for our summer break, taking in not only some stretches of road that I’d never driven before, but also others that I...

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Good to add variety to your wine flavour palette

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Good to add variety to your wine flavour palette

I’m taking artistic licence with a biblical quote here when I say that ‘‘man cannot live on pinot noir alone’’!

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Felton Road keeps ‘winery of year’ title

Felton Road winery, Bannockburn. Photo: supplied

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Felton Road keeps ‘winery of year’ title

I’m delighted to report that the winner of the 2025 Real Review New Zealand Winery of the Year is Felton Road Wines from Bannockburn in Central Otago.

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Focusing on Central Otago pinots from ‘old hands’

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Focusing on Central Otago pinots from ‘old hands’

When putting together tasting lineups, I may focus on a single vintage.

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Roses add bright note to cooler temperatures

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Roses add bright note to cooler temperatures

A collection of rose to brighten your mood as temperatures begin their slow nose dive towards winter.

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Sauvignons to lead the way

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Sauvignons to lead the way

The elephant in the room as I tasted these wines was the likelihood of the United States imposing tariffs on all our agricultural products.

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Singing the praises of cellaring

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Singing the praises of cellaring

Ageing gracefully.

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Marlborough fizz without the spoon

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Marlborough fizz without the spoon

Friday, March 28 marked Methode Marlborough Day which I celebrated in appropriate fashion.

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Enthusiasm offers hope

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Enthusiasm offers hope

It seems that everywhere I turn recently, news about the wine industry is full of doom and gloom.

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A bit of a mishmash, but all have great flavour, merit

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A bit of a mishmash, but all have great flavour, merit

As many readers know I regularly have reviews for wines that through no fault of their own, I just quite simply run out of room for when I first taste them.

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The appeal of Pinots from less appreciated parts

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The appeal of Pinots from less appreciated parts

I have been tasting quite a lot of Central Otago Pinot Noir recently, so it was nice with this flight of wines to point the proverbial bonnet northwards and explore North Canterbury and Marlborough...

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A selection of Pinot Gris smashes it out of the park

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A selection of Pinot Gris smashes it out of the park

I really don’t know what was in the water on the particular Monday that I tasted a raft of these Pinot Gris but it seemed like every wine was on song.

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Central Otago forges organic farming path

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Central Otago forges organic farming path

Back in 2009 Central Otago Winegrowers Association (COWA) set the goal of having 20% of the Central Otago vineyard area farmed organically by 2020, a goal they surpassed when they hit 23%.

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Rising to the challenge when tasting Riesling

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Rising to the challenge when tasting Riesling

Riesling tastings can be a challenge.

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All things NZ pinot noir, Central Otago wine celebrated

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All things NZ pinot noir, Central Otago wine celebrated

As you read this, a couple of significant events involving New Zealand pinot noir will now be in the rear-vision mirror.

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Flavour-filled sav blancs with a golden touch

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Flavour-filled sav blancs with a golden touch

Among the lineup of sav blancs today are a striking trio from Rapaura Springs sporting their brand new gold livery.

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Refreshing whites ticking the box

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Refreshing whites ticking the box

On a recent family holiday road trip I found myself drinking either white wine or beer: the reds just didn’t get a look in.

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Channelling that summer vibe

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Channelling that summer vibe

Even before I sat down to sample this selection with my tasting colleague Mr Collins, the aromas as I uncapped the bottles had me salivating and channelling a summer vibe.

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