Natural Wine Co. Organic Gisborne Gewurztraminer 2015 $19.99 (3.5 stars)

June 26, 2017By Yvonne

This is about as natural as it gets for gewurztraminer production. Nicola and Geoff Wright are organic pioneers in Gisborne and alongside not adding any herbicides, insecticides or fungicides, they’re also not adding any yeast, opting instead for wild, ‘natural’ yeasts to conduct the ferment. This results in a funkier, dryer style, laced with lychee … Read More

Wrights Gisborne Chardonnay 2015 $28

June 26, 2017By Yvonne

Crafted by organic pioneers Geoff and Nicola Wright from fruit grown in their Manutuke and Ormond vineyards, this is a different style of chardonnay in that its scented with green apple, lime and hints of nashi amongst the more signature peach, nougat and grapefruit. There’s a smidge of roasty, toasty oak, a whiff of smoke … Read More

Natural Wine Co. Organic Gisborne Chardonnay 2016 $19.99

June 26, 2017By Yvonne

Certified organic chardonnay here from Geoff and Nicola Wright, chardonnay that has a distinct ‘struck match’ aroma, smoky, flinty layers that once pushed through, give way to a ripe, rich, viscose palate packed with peach, caramelised, toasty characters, butterscotch and nutty notes on the finish. It’s a complex little chardonnay with bright acidity and a … Read More

Natural Wine Co. Gisborne Pinot Gris 2016 $19.99 4.5 stars

November 5, 2016By Yvonne

How’s this for hands-off winemaking. Organic fruit harvested a little later than normal to enhance the fruit sweetness and then the juice is left to soak overnight with the skins to extract a little more texture and complexity. Extended lees stirring during a ferment kickstarted with wild yeasts from the vineyard itself has added layers … Read More

Natural Wine Co. Organic Gisborne Rosé 2015

January 5, 2016By Yvonne

Natural Wine Co. Organic Gisborne Rosé 2015 $19.99 ★★★½ Geoff Wright is the craftsman behind this wine which is grown and made according to organic and biodynamic principles.  Super-herbal  and spicy on the nose, with smoky, earthy characters and resinous complexity happening, yet in the mouth there are clean berry, melon and blackboy peach flavours.  … Read More

Natural Wine Co. Organic Gisborne Pinot Gris 2015

December 22, 2015By Yvonne

Natural Wine Co. Organic Gisborne Pinot Gris 2015 $19.99 ★★★★½ Crafted by Geoff Wright using organic, biodynamic methods or “chaos” as he calls it, this is about as “hands off” as you can get before basically expecting the grapes to turn themselves into wine.  This straw-gold pinot gris shows a lifted, chalky, nutty aroma and a … Read More

Methode Acting…

February 27, 2012By Yvonne

For Richard Riddiford of Martinborough’s Palliser Estate “there are some occasions where only bubbles will do” and I agree with him wholeheartedly.  Over the last twelve months I’ve immersed myself in surfeit of sensational New Zealand sauvignon blanc at the Wine Marlborough Weekend, tantalised my tastebuds with lashings of luscious, lime-laden rieslings at the Summer … Read More

4 July 2010 – Vegan Vegetarian Vino

July 4, 2011By Yvonne

If you’re of the vegan persuasion then you’ll be chuffed to know that Blackenbrook Wines, in Tasman Bay near Nelson will be printing ‘vegan wine’ on all their white wines from the 2011 vintage.  The demand for vegan wines is on the increase according to Duncan Gillespie of Wellington’s Regional Wines & Spirits. “It’s following … Read More