SECTIONS

Wine Reviews

SUBSCRIBER
Food & WineJuly 14

Very different wine styles worthy of exploring

Today’s assortment offers three pairs of wines across three very different wine styles.
Very different wine styles worthy of exploring
Very different wine styles worthy of exploring
SUBSCRIBER
Food & WineJuly 7

Central Otago organic wine success

Recent years have seen ongoing growth in the number of vineyards across the country that are farmed organically and biodynamically.
Central Otago organic wine success
Central Otago organic wine success
SUBSCRIBER
Food & WineJune 30

Swoon-worthy pinot noirs not for bargain hunters

Pinot noir is an ancient grape variety with its roots in Burgundy, France.
Swoon-worthy pinot noirs not for bargain hunters
Swoon-worthy pinot noirs not for bargain hunters
SUBSCRIBER
Food & WineJune 23

Variety generally dry with vein of ‘racy’ acidity

I continue my journey through some of the less commonly seen grape varieties, travelling the world by glass as it were, my imaginary plane landing in Vienna, Austria.
Variety generally dry with vein of ‘racy’ acidity
Variety generally dry with vein of ‘racy’ acidity
SUBSCRIBER
Food & WineJune 16

Pinot gris an accomplished European, global traveller

It feels like it has been a while since my last pinot gris column.
Pinot gris an accomplished European, global traveller
Pinot gris an accomplished European, global traveller
SUBSCRIBER
Food & WineJune 9

The evening in done right

Choosing to staying in means you’re in charge when it comes to wine choice - be it your favourite cheap and cheerful quaffer, a splurge, or trying something new.
The evening in done right
The evening in done right
SUBSCRIBER
Food & WineJune 3

Richer chardonnays pair well with autumn food

Today’s line-up revolves around a quintet of Central Otago offerings along with a interloper from Hawke’s Bay.
Richer chardonnays pair well with autumn food
Richer chardonnays pair well with autumn food
SUBSCRIBER
Food & WineMay 26

Amazing variety should not be overlooked

Riesling can be bone dry, lusciously honeyed and sweet, and everything in between.
Amazing variety should not be overlooked
Amazing variety should not be overlooked
SUBSCRIBER
Food & WineMay 19

Emerging grape variety looking promising

Among the frontrunners for “alternative or emerging varieties” popping up in New Zealand, Albarino might just have snuck its head into the lead, but only by a nose (forgive the pun).
Emerging grape variety looking promising
Emerging grape variety looking promising
SUBSCRIBER
Food & WineMay 12

A trio of uncommon joys

I’ve been tasting some of the lesser known (in NZ) grape varieties recently and wanted to showcase three excellent examples that would be great introductions to their respective varieties.
A trio of uncommon joys
A trio of uncommon joys
SUBSCRIBER
Food & WineMay 5

Single vineyard wines impress like traditional forebears

If you follow the Burgundian pinot noir model, then the very finest vineyard sites have proved themselves over hundreds of years, designated Grand Crus or Premier Crus.
Single vineyard wines impress like traditional forebears
Single vineyard wines impress like traditional forebears
SUBSCRIBER
Food & WineApril 28

The importance of acid to a good wine

Acidity is an integral part of grapes and wine.
The importance of acid to a good wine
The importance of acid to a good wine
SUBSCRIBER
Food & WineApril 21

Cellar wines to enjoy evolution

In this age of immediacy, many may struggle with the concept of cellaring wine or see it as an odd anachronism, with all the usual questions and caveats at the very least, a hindrance to the pursuit.
Cellar wines to enjoy evolution
Cellar wines to enjoy evolution
SUBSCRIBER
Food & WineApril 14

Pinot Noir at a price for everybody

More than three decades ago I went up to Bannockburn to help friends plant their new vineyard.
Pinot Noir at a price for everybody
Pinot Noir at a price for everybody
Food & WineApril 7

Gathering on the well-trodden path to Central Otago

Later than some vintages it may be, but Central has been a hive of activity with the grape harvest getting into full swing. Across the region people have been gathering: backpackers, retirees, Vanuatuan RSE workers — people eager to make a bit of extra coin — and even yours truly, to pick those bunches so that the winery staff can begin to transform them into wine.
Gathering on the well-trodden path to Central Otago
Gathering on the well-trodden path to Central Otago
SUBSCRIBER
Food & WineMarch 31

Savouring in preparation for grape-picking season

I hope to get in a couple of tastings of Central Pinot Noir in the next few weeks as a sort of precursor to heading up to Bannockburn for harvest myself for a few days.
Savouring in preparation for grape-picking season
Savouring in preparation for grape-picking season
SUBSCRIBER
Food & WineMarch 24

Riding out cycle

A question I’m asked frequently is "how are things in Marlborough"?
Riding out cycle
Riding out cycle
SUBSCRIBER
Food & WineMarch 17

This season’s wines tell story of weather-tested vines

NZ Wine sent out a media release this week regarding the grape harvest across NZ.
This season’s wines tell story of weather-tested vines
This season’s wines tell story of weather-tested vines
SUBSCRIBER
Food & WineMarch 10

Don't talk rot

On the international stage, sales of some of the most famous sweet and fortified wine styles such as Sauternes and Port have seen a significant drop-off.
Don't talk rot
Don't talk rot
SUBSCRIBER
Food & WineMarch 3

Spritzes, rosés, reds — taste of summer that wasn’t

Summer's failure to make an appearance this year scuppered my plans for today’s trio of mixed pairs, but all is not lost.
Spritzes, rosés, reds — taste of summer that wasn’t
Spritzes, rosés, reds — taste of summer that wasn’t
SUBSCRIBER
Food & WineFebruary 24

Cans, casks also play part as wine containers

Bottles remain far, far and away the dominant form of packaging for the sale and consumption of wine, but alternatives do exist.
Cans, casks also play part as wine containers
Cans, casks also play part as wine containers
SUBSCRIBER
Food & WineFebruary 17

Impressive sextet of Chardonnays from around South Is

Today's lineup really is a "sextet of sizzling Shardonnay" (yes, I do recognise the spelling mistake ... it’s just me being prone to alliteration).
Impressive sextet of Chardonnays from around South Is
Impressive sextet of Chardonnays from around South Is
SUBSCRIBER
Food & WineFebruary 10

Rewards if you hang on to pinot

I have indulged in a few older pinot noirs from the cellar over the holiday period, so I enjoyed the chance to taste through this wonderful selection of current release wines
Rewards if you hang on to pinot
Rewards if you hang on to pinot
SUBSCRIBER
Food & WineFebruary 3

Make it a year of discovery

For many, new year comes with resolutions.
Make it a year of discovery
Make it a year of discovery
SUBSCRIBER
Food & WineJanuary 27

Pinot noir result of 40 years of toil and risk-taking

When I reflect back on the earliest years of my passion for wine, some 40-odd years ago, pinot noir wasn’t really on the radar.
Pinot noir result of 40 years of toil and risk-taking
Pinot noir result of 40 years of toil and risk-taking