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YVONNE LORKINA fan of all things fermented...Get in touchscroll down to read my latest reviews -
Co-Founder & Chief Tasting Officer WineFriend Owner/Executive Producer Thirsty Media Ltdscroll down to read my latest reviews
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Wine Writer NZ Herald CANVASscroll down to read my latest reviewsWine & Beverages WriterdishMagazine
I’m super-proud to be the co-founder and CTO (Chief Tasting Officer) of WineFriend, the greatest personalised wine delivery service in all the land. We match wine to people. We help our subscribers navigate the crazy-vast number of wines out there in the marketplace by pairing them with wines that only suit their individual tastes. Wines that are delicious, unique and definitely not seen in your average supermarket. Read more about WineFriend
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Hawkesridge Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2023
3 October 2024Hawkesridge Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2023 $25 (not rated) While on the nose this wine has some apricot and jasmine promise, sadly the palate is out of balance, with a sweet-sour note and it finishes short. Not great. But 2023 was a very difficult cyclone vintage, so that could have been an issue.
Heaphy Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2023
3 October 2024Heaphy Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2023 $19 The pale, white-gold colour might lead you to assume this is going to be a light, frilly style, yet as soon as you sip you’ll be sucked deep into herbaceous depths of smoked red capsicum, bruised lemongrass, fresh basil and tomato stalk notes. It’s a complex and generous style … Read More
Mora Laeto Central Otago Pinot Noir 2024
3 October 2024Mora Laeto Central Otago Pinot Noir 2024 $35 Here’s a shiny new pinot designed with the kiwi Summer in mind. “Laeto” is derived from the Latin word for ‘lush’ and ‘joyful’ and this wine is all about not taking things too seriously, heavily, having fun with how bright and juicy and floral and plush pinot … Read More
Ayrburn Whimsy Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020
2 October 2024Ayrburn Whimsy Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020 $45 Inky-dark in the glass, this wine might be named ‘whimsy’ but it’s a seriously stocky, in-for-the-long-haul style with stacks of savoury complexity, rich spice layers, baked cherry and black tea. It’s a bit of a beast, but I like that about it. Deeply rich and beefy, it’s … Read More
Park Wine Nelson Marlborough Fizz 2022
1 October 2024Park Wine Nelson Marlborough Fizz 2022 $25 Park Wines is a collaboration between Dan Gillett (of Selection Massale and Wine Diamonds) and Jos Ruffell (of Garage Project). Here they’ve taken BioGro certified organic fruit farmed between their two vineyards in Nelson and Marlborough and created a blend of Pinot Gris, Riesling and Gewürztraminer which erupts … Read More
Maison Noire Reserve Single Vineyard Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2023
1 October 2024Maison Noire Reserve Single Vineyard Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2023 $29 It’s actually blowing me away how good some of the 2023 reds from Hawke’s Bay are despite coming from a cyclone vintage. Sadly there’s just so little of them available! Just 80 cases of this ultra-floral syrah were crafted and it’s a wine erupting with … Read More
Alpha Domus Leonarda Late Harvest Semillon 2022
29 September 2024Alpha Domus Leonarda Late Harvest Semillon 2022 $28 A blend of partially and fully botrytis-infected, organic Semillon grapes from Alpha Domus’ original vineyards were used to craft this lusciously luxurious dessert wine. A long, slow, three-week fermentation occurred and was only stopped when winemaker Barry Riwai was satisfied that the balance of alcohol (12.5%), acidity … Read More
Elephant Hill Salomé Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2021
29 September 2024Elephant Hill Salomé Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2021 $95 Crafted from a 100% handpicked blend of clone 15 and Mendoza fruit from their Sea (Te Awanga) and Earth (Bridge Pa Triangle) vineyards, this, their flagship chardonnay is a powerfully structured wine erupting with complex baked stonefruit and scorched citrus, layers of cleverly balanced, caramelised oak notes, … Read More
Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2023
29 September 2024Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2023 $24 The Trinity Hill team overcame a tricky season, including a devastating cyclone (Gabrielle) to craft a pinot gris with energy and edginess. Generously textured and dry, it erupts with classic baked quince and cut nashi complexity and finishes with a vein of exotic spices. Trinity Hill
24 September 2024
Atypical and super-sippical – Bay Buzz Magazine Sept/Oct 2024 by Yvonne LorkinSeptember 24, 2024 Greg Collinge, Supernatural. Photo: Florence Charvin [As published in September/October BayBuzz magazine.] Hawke’s Bay is New Zealand’s oldest and second-largest wine region boasting over 200 vineyards and 76 wineries. It’s also an incredibly diverse region and one that I unashamedly call ‘the … Read More
Petane Maraekakaho Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2023
7 September 2024Petane Maraekakaho Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2023 $31 If you’re a fan of crispy-dry pinot gris sourced from a lovingly-tended organic vineyard grown in the shelter of the Kaweka and Ruahine Ranges, then you’ve driven down the correct cul-de-sac my friend. Aromatically it sings with green apple, soft pear, a lick of lime, feijoa zest … Read More
Bostock Airini Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2022
5 September 2024Bostock Airini Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2022 $48 Māori princess Airini Karauria was one of Hawke’s Bay’s most highly respected and influential women, and in her honour the Bostocks created this impactful organic rosé. This is the second vintage and it’s crafted from syrah and merlot grapes grown in the iron-rich soils of Bridge Pa, her … Read More
Thirsty Work is a television show that unearths some of the personalities behind New Zealand’s successful and innovative Wine and Beverage Industry. Broadcast on Food TV (SKY ch.9), Thirsty Work soaks up New Zealand’s beverage landscape. Not just vineyards, but barrel halls, tank rooms, cellar doors, wine stores, supermarkets, breweries and backyard vignerons.
Missed Series 4 of Thirsty Work? Fret not, just click here to zoom directly to view on demand.
