Published NZME Regional Newspapers Sat 26 Sep 2015 There’s a place in Italy called Salento. It’s located in the Puglia peninsula region of southern Italy, the one that looks like the heel of a boot, and it’s exceptionally good at growing a red grape that I’m fast becoming a serious fan of. That grape is … Read More
2015 Archived Columns
Exercising the palate
Published NZME Regional Newspapers Sat 19 Sep 2015 I’m writing this column during breaks whilst judging at the New Zealand International Wine Show at QBE Stadium in Auckland. It’s the home of the North Harbour rugby team and I would have thought that after their 48v32 loss to Hawke’s Bay two days beforehand, that the … Read More
Hazards of the Job
Published NZME Regional Newspapers Sat 12 Sep 2015 About two years ago I almost lost my left eye in a champagne cork accident. I was opening a bunch of bottles to write my notes for the Christmas issue of Dish magazine and I forgot the golden rule. “Always keep your hand firmly on the cork … Read More
Oh September
Published NZME Regional Newspapers Sat 5 Sep 2015 It feels like I’m only just getting my head around secondary cuts in the slow cooker, constantly wiping the dogs feet before she comes inside, digging out the spencer and woolly tights every day and then you’re on my doorstep with your promises of all things bright … Read More
Wine is Bottled Poetry
Published NZME Regional Newspapers Sat 29 Aug 2015 So we’ve all heard how famous artists are often asked to design wine labels, well here’s something a wee bit different. Sam Hunt, New Zealand’s favourite poet, and the owner of the best set of black stovepipe pants this side of Castor Bay, has partnered with wine … Read More
Are you New Zealand’s next wine professional?
Published NZME Regional Newspapers Sat 22 Aug 2015 If you have the skills to pay the bills in the wine department, then have I got a competition for you. Auckland’s upcoming Wine and Food Celebration (Sept 13-15) sees the return of the New Zealand Sommelier of the Year, Junior Sommelier of the Year and the … Read More
The Humble Apple
Published NZME Regional Newspapers Sat 8 Aug 2015 The humble apple is a tight package of huge potential, you can bake, stew and fry them, juice, crumble and mousse them. Thankfully we also have a hugely innovative craft cider industry, so there’s no shortage of people out there who are dedicated to fermenting them. When … Read More
Nuggets of Chardonnay
Published NZME Regional Newspapers Sat 8 Aug 2015 Right now, New Zealand’s most expensive white wine happens to be a chardonnay. This little nugget of news doesn’t surprise me because crafting great chardonnay can’t be done on the cheap. First you need to find the perfect piece of land, then you need to source the … Read More
Juice from winery grapes has more kick
Published NZME Regional Newspapers Sat 1 Aug 2015 In all my years writing wine columns, one of the most common questions I’m asked, is whether it’s possible to find grape juice made from the types of grapes that make wine? Why? Believe me, once you’ve tasted the juice of a wine grape, it’s almost impossible … Read More
Spanish Drinkquisition
Published NZME Regional Newspapers Sat 25 July 2015 Armies of new Spanish wines are appearing pretty much everywhere I turn lately and this is brilliant news if you’re partial to spicy, smooth quaffers that won’t damage your wallet. A bunch of canny importers bought up large while our kiwi dollar was strong – so … Read More