Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019

December 31, 2020By Yvonne

Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019 $49.99 The excellent thing about Villa Maria having multiple sites in Marlborough from which to source pinot noir from, is that when it comes to crafting the ‘Reserve’, those soils really are their oyster. The best rows from the best blocks are chosen and made as individual wines … Read More

Villa Maria Braided Gravels Hawke’s Bay Albariño 2019

April 19, 2020By Yvonne

Villa Maria Braided Gravels Hawke’s Bay Albariño 2019 $29 Reviewed in dish Magazine July/Aug 2020 and paired with Chicken, leek and thyme pie Hand on heart, if you do not do everything you can to nab yourself a bottle of the Villa Maria Braided Gravels Hawke’s Bay Albariño 2019 ($29) to sip and swirl with … Read More

Bayer Northern Young Viticulturist of the Year 2019 announced

June 10, 2019By Yvonne

Bayer Northern Young Viticulturist of the Year 2019 announced Congratulations to Pietro Aloisi from Ake Ake who became the Bayer Northern Young Viticulturist of the Year 2019 on Friday 7 June. Aloisi grew up in Italy but is now a New Zealand resident arriving here over seven years ago.  He has been working in the … Read More

Villa Maria Cellar Selection Gisborne Albarino 2015

May 5, 2016By Yvonne

Villa Maria Cellar Selection Gisborne Albariño 2015 $17.99 ★★★★ I really like this wine because it’s bracingly fresh and shows classic white flesh peach, nectarine and lemony characters alongside a squeak of apricot stone, crushed shells, hints of salt and has a vibrant, racy finish. Very tangy and fresh and has a long, mineral-edged finish. … Read More

Northern Hemisphere Niceness

September 26, 2015By Yvonne

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

Villa Maria Cellar Selection Gimblett Gravels Grenache 2014

September 14, 2015By Yvonne

Villa Maria Cellar Selection Gimblett Gravels Grenache 2014 $24 ★★★★ Grenache is super-rare in this country, and Villa Maria have just one solitary hectare of vines planted smack bang in the middle of New Zealand’s most prestigious red wine region.  This is also the only New Zealand grenache made on it’s own, not blended with … Read More

Positive Chi For Your Tastebuds

January 4, 2013By Yvonne

One thing I’ve learned is to never drink wine whilst watching Embarrassing Bodies followed by Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares.  There’s nothing like an unsightly pus-filled lump followed by another, well, slightly worse tempered, foul mouthed, pus-filled lump to put my palate up the Khyber.  For me, environment is everything. I’m no frilly hippy and I’m no … Read More

Villa Maria Private Bin East Coast Viognier 2010

November 14, 2011By Yvonne

Villa Maria Private Bin East Coast Viognier 2010 $14  Textbook viognier aromatics here – orange oil, apricot and mandarin peel, while in the mouth it’s ripe, rich and boasts a lush, oily finish.  It’s an in-your-face style with warming alcohol and good length of flavour – and is a great partner with sweet and sour … Read More

17 October 2011 Central Riesling & Pinot Shine at International Show

November 14, 2011By Yvonne

Last week, for the first time in history a New Zealand riesling won the London-based International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) Trophy for Single Vineyard White.  The wine in question was the Two Sisters Vineyard Central Otago Riesling 2007 ($35) and now I’m itching to try it myself.  This is a phenomenal international achievement for … Read More

Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Grenache 2007

September 21, 2011By Yvonne

Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Grenache 2007 $60  I’ve been waiting for a 100% Grenache from Hawke’s Bay since forever!  Heady roasting pan juices, rosemary and dusty, earthy aromas lead the way to spicy plum, mace and amazingly silky, earthy, blackberry and cherry smoke.  It’s a muscular, meaty wine – and is just sensational with … Read More