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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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Obliix Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2022
15 July 2024Obliix Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2022 $24 Grown in the Gimblett Gravels and crafted by the superstatus talent of Michelle Richardson, this deeply earthy, tobacco and toast-edged blend of 69% cabernet sauvignon, 26% merlot and5% malbec is superbly smooth, soothing, sewn together with bay, cocoa and plum plumpness. Warming, deliciously balanced, licked with dried … Read More
Giesen Fuder Series Clayvin Marlborough Chardonnay 2017
30 June 2024Giesen Fuder Series Clayvin Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 $48-$52 Sourced from one of New Zealand’s OG and most famous certified organic vineyards, this chardonnay is like a bottled version of a headline act at Glastonbury. Dua Lipa, Coldplay or Janelle Monae for example. It’s supremely talented, crammed with energy and vitality, and is quite frankly, intensely … Read More
Bendigo Hills Central Otago Chardonnay 2022
18 June 2024Bendigo Hills Central Otago Chardonnay 2022 $32 Certified organic, clone 548 and B95 chardonnay here from the famous Trig Block in the sunbaked Bendigo subregion. Hand-picked and whole bunch pressed straight to French oak (50% new) to slip into a funky little wild ferment and then it’s aged on its lees for 10 months before … Read More
Chateau Garage Hawke’s Bay Albariño 2023
16 June 2024Chateau Garage Hawke’s Bay Albariño 2023 $50 With its mineral-laced spine, aromas of apple blossom and lemon pith and its palate awash with vibrant acidity, lime and green fruits, this albariño by Ollie Powrie is a fresh, zesty, shoulder-shake for your tastebuds. Crafted from fruit grown in Bridge Pa, fermented in an egg fermenter and … Read More
Pegasus Bay Vergence White Mk 3
3 June 2024Pegasus Bay Vergence White Mk 3 $27 The third iteration of Mat Donaldson’s deliciously wild and fabulously feral blended white project, the Vergence* Mk 3 is a multi-vintage wine using 60% oak-aged Semillon, approximately 19% whole bunch fermented Sauvignon Blanc, around 15% Gewurztraminer and a splash each of Muscat and Riesling. From the first sniff … Read More
Kinross The Last Drop Waitaki North Otago Late Harvest Riesling 2020
23 May 2024Kinross The Last Drop Waitaki North Otago Late Harvest Riesling 2020 $45 The colour of this late harvest riesling has incredible green flecks, making it bright like a lime diamond. Sweet yet showing bracing acidity and refreshing textures alongside a honeyed spine. It’s a delicious palate cleanser. Kinross
Aeronaut Marlborough Pinot Noir 2021
21 May 2024Aeronaut Marlborough Pinot Noir 2021 $40 If you’re looking for a softly herbaceous, subtly spiced pinot noir with a suede-like texture and a squeak of smoked rhubarb, then this wine will be your jam. Soothing, lightly-styled and carrying an earthy, freshly-tilled field character on the finish, it’s a crowd-pleasing pinot for sure. For information on … Read More
Aeronaut Marlborough Chardonnay 2022
21 May 2024Aeronaut Marlborough Chardonnay 2022 $30 Fans of almond meal and delicate coconut complexity in their chardonnay will find themselves enjoying this new release from winemaker Leo Ricárdez. Fresh and layered with lemon and green apple, hints of baked stonefruit and toasty oak – it’s a smashable chardonnay that’ll soften into a more creamy spectrum over … Read More
Villa Maria Private Bin Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2023
20 May 2024Villa Maria Private Bin Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2023 $15 Paired with; Fragrant Chicken Tagine by Annabel Langbein NZ Herald Canvas Magazine Sat May 25th 2024 Pair the cumin, cinnamon, ginger and saffron sensations in this exotically spiced tagine with the clean, melon and raspberry razziness roaring from every sip of the new Private Bin … Read More
Moko Hills Kakano Bendigo Chardonnay 2022
16 May 2024Moko Hills Kakano Bendigo Chardonnay 2022 $40 Subtle use of oak has created purity and wholesomeness in this new chardonnay from Donald van der Westhuizen. There’s a soft, creamy, bruleeish aroma on the nose followed by masses of white peach, florals, grapefruit pith, soft spices and nutty notes. It’s got such beautiful balance it could … Read More
Zephyr MKIII Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023
9 May 2024Zephyr MKIII Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023 $32 I was fortunate to taste bottle number 1942 of a wine crafted from the Glover Family’s ‘Kersley Estate’ vineyard. This vineyard is in the middle of its conversion to organic certification and winemaker Ben Glover has steered this sauvignon down the wild side of town. Erupting with scorched … Read More
Zephyr Organic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023
9 May 2024Zephyr Organic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023 $24 Roaring with red apple, red capsicum, sweet pea and peachy character, this citrus-stacked sauvignon has gentle herbaceousness, soft acidity, tropical complexity and a lick of salted lime and jalapeno on the finish. Sourced from the Glover family’s ‘Brawn’ vineyard located in the Dillons Point sub-region, it’s a gently … 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.
