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.
Wine times
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.
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.
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!
Tricky predicting a trend
Tricky predicting a trend
Mark Henderson's pick of wine styles that may be trending for Christmas and summer.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Industry talent getting into it
Industry talent getting into it
The Mercurey Young Winemaker competition is open to under-30s working in all aspects of wine production. The Otago regional competition was held last week at Vinpro in Cromwell.
Singularly different
Singularly different
As time goes along and vineyards, wine-makers and the industry mature, there is growing understanding and confidence as to what each vineyard will express.
I see red, I see red, I see red
I see red, I see red, I see red
The changing of the seasons marks a changing of the guard for wines too, as reds overtake whites and roses in popularity.
No 1 in syrah aim shows how emphasis has shifted
No 1 in syrah aim shows how emphasis has shifted
Many years ago, I attended a trade tasting hosted by John Hancock, then chief winemaker for Trinity Hill in Hawke's Bay.
Sniffy view wrong
Sniffy view wrong
We humans have very good olfactory sense, that with attention and practice can detect a startlingly wide array of aromas in wine.
Sublime toast to oysters
Sublime toast to oysters
Some love their oysters cooked, others insist on them raw: whichever your preference, there are several sublime wine pairings to take the experience to another level.
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.
'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.
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.
Flying ‘single blind’
Flying ‘single blind’
As many of you will know, I taste the wines for this column “single blind”.