Wine times

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.

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.

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.

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.

More than three decades ago I went up to Bannockburn to help friends plant their new vineyard.

A question I’m asked frequently is "how are things in Marlborough"?

NZ Wine sent out a media release this week regarding the grape harvest across NZ.

Summer's failure to make an appearance this year scuppered my plans for today’s trio of mixed pairs, but all is not lost.

Bottles remain far, far and away the dominant form of packaging for the sale and consumption of wine, but alternatives do exist.

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).

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

For many, new year comes with resolutions.

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.

If sales figures are to be believed, Pinot Gris is likely to be one of the biggest selling wine styles over the summer months.

Wine columnist Mark Henderson searches out the emerging makers of brandy or fine in Otago.

The core of these selections typify the reach of sauvignon blanc across the country.