The gems from 2017’s harvest
As mentioned last week, the 2017 harvest proved to be a testing one. Viticulturists and winemakers dealt with significant rain events which damaged some crops in the lead-up to harvest.
Food & Wine
Wine-makers overcome challenges
Wine-makers overcome challenges
I always look forward to the annual Gimblett Gravels Dozen selection. I approached the 2017 edition with added interest due to the reputation of the vintage.
2019’s savs are ready
2019’s savs are ready
Regular panellists Mr Collins and Mr McLaren each made resolutions of sorts in 2019 to dabble more widely in sauvignon blancs, seeking out a range of styles from the classically fresh and zesty, to...
Celebrating Central’s small labels
Celebrating Central’s small labels
As you read this, wine lovers, trade, media and people involved in all aspects of the industry (even yours truly) will be flocking to Queenstown for the 2020 Central Otago Pinot Celebration, which...
A dabble in pinot gris always worthwhile
A dabble in pinot gris always worthwhile
There seems no stopping the pinot gris juggernaut, writes Mark Henderson.
Looking to the rest of the summertime with rose tinted glasses
Looking to the rest of the summertime with rose tinted glasses
Returning from the Christmas-New Year break, I put some thought into the content that would go into my first column back.
Rose offers flavours to savour; books for Christmas
Rose offers flavours to savour; books for Christmas
As someone involved in wine and the written word, it will come as no surprise to you that I enjoy reading about wine. Here are three books that have crossed my path recently - Christmas present anyone?
Reaching for refreshing rieslings
Reaching for refreshing rieslings
I must admit to having been caught out once again this year, as Christmas came rushing headlong towards me, though I’m certain I’m not the only one in that boat!
Pinot noir fans well catered for
Pinot noir fans well catered for
The end of January will see winemakers, viticulturists and marketers, restaurateurs, importers, media and wine enthusiasts from around the world heading to Queenstown for the 2020 Pinot Noir...
Pinots to enjoy on a hot day
Pinots to enjoy on a hot day
I'm sure that most of you (other than those who had to work) remember fondly the startlingly warm weekend of 31-degree days that kicked off November.
NZ chardonnays doing splendidly
NZ chardonnays doing splendidly
I've been relishing my ongoing voyage through New Zealand chardonnays, yet I have a confession to make: as much as I enjoy chardonnay, I seem to forget to actually buy it to drink at home.
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.
One to study
One to study
Today's assortment is a group of 2017 chardonnays.
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...
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.
