Wine times

Sunshine in a glass and excellent value

Aussies Shiraz. I cut my vinous milk teeth on wines like this.

Win for young Otago viticulturist

The finals of the 2018 Bayer Young Viticulturist of the Year competition were held in the Wairarapa at the end of August and the winner was announced at the Bragato dinner in Wellington on August 30.

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.

Best to give wines some time to breathe

This was a fascinating tasting for Mr Collins, Mr McLaren and me as it was a compelling example of the benefits of giving wines some time to "breathe''.

Sumptuous fruity pinot gris

There are times when there's nothing more enticing than the sumptuous fruitiness of a well put together pinot gris, writes Mark Henderson.

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.

Call of the wild

The call of the wild draws some to don hiking books and head into the wilderness; for others, it’s hunting wild animals.

Turning up rosés

With rosé firmly in the ascendancy, there/s a high likelihood that it is going to cross your path over the festive season, says Mark Henderson.

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.

Pinots offer value

Collective nouns are a funny thing. Whoever thought up a parliament of owls or a knot of toads, for example?

'Tis the season to start talking bubbly

If you asked most consumers to name a style of bubbly, there is little doubt that Champagne would top the chart, yet there are a raft of other styles produced around the world, writes Mark Henderson.

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.

Kiwi style with a nod to Bordeaux

While in France recently, I farewelled a group of wine-loving friends who were off to Bordeaux to further indulge their passion.

'Tis the season for a splurge

Among the rush of last-minute things to do before Christmas, there is also the decision of what wines to serve on the day itself.

`Tis the season to... get stuck in to some hearty reds

Spring is is a great season to enjoy hearty reds.

Only the Rhonely

In June, I enjoyed a couple of weeks of wine travels in France with a group of friends, culminating in a week in the southern Rhone, based roughly 40km northeast of Avignon.

Changing world of cellar doors

After acquiring ''the wine bug'' many years ago, it was a natural progression to visit winery cellar doors, Mark Henderson writes.

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.

Fruit of some precious gravel

The Gimblett Gravels dozen varies in its composition each year, both in varietal mix and in producers featured, with this 2015 edition featuring five Syrahs ranging from the excellent value...

The road less travelled

Mark Henderson suggests some wines that may broaden your horizons.

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Wine times