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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CHECK OUT THE LATEST REVIEWS

Keep up with the very latest below or browse for your favourite reviews

Westbrook Marlborough Chardonnay 2019 

March 25, 2023

Westbrook Marlborough Chardonnay 2019 $35 32Enticing aromas of gently toasted cashew and almonds open up to poached peach and a hint of roast apricot on the nose, while in the mouth it bursts with butterscotch richness, baked apple and a creamy, peachy plushness to finish. In its perfect drinking window now. Westbrook

Taylors Limestone Coast Clare Valley Shiraz 2020

March 15, 2023

Taylors Limestone Coast Clare Valley Shiraz 2020 $18 This is a classic South Australian style crammed with boysenberry, dark cherry and sweet,  peppery plushness. It oozes bright berryfruit and violet aromas and boasts a mouthfeel that’s soft, warming and mellow with saucy, plummy notes and hints of dark chocolate to finish.  Dangerously easy to drink … Read More

Villa Maria Ihumātao Auckland Chardonnay 2021

March 9, 2023

Villa Maria Ihumātao Auckland Chardonnay 2021 $50 What you have here is quite possibly the last vintage of this incredible wine. Why? Because the vines in this vineyard have been pulled out (boo hiss) But this creation is a last-ever chance to absorb a smorgasbord of roast stonefruit, toasted almonds and smoked citrus. Showing great … Read More

Elephant Hill Sea Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2020

March 9, 2023

Elephant Hill Sea Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2020 $59 Wow! You definitely know this has come from an oceanfront vineyard (Te Awanga) because the vein of salinity is strong in this one. I love it! Super-juicy, beautiful oak handling, silky, succulent and crammed with grapefruit nit’s 88% clone 15 and 22% clone 95 handpicked, whole bunch … Read More

Unison Wines And Relax Gimblett Gravels Red 2022

March 8, 2023

Unison Wines And Relax Gimblett Gravels Red 2022 $22 It’s a totally new take on Gimblett Gravels syrah in that it’s light, bright, super-approachable, juicy and dangerously easy to drink. Not overtly peppery or muscular like what you’d expect from Gimblett Gravels syrah, instead it’s designed to also work well chilled. Yep – chilled! So … Read More

Weekend Wines Gone Rogue Central Otago Pinot Noir 2022

March 8, 2023

  Weekend Wines Gone Rogue Central Otago Pinot Noir 2022 $36 Introducing a deliciously crisp, fresh pinot noir from the kids at the Central Otago Wine Company in Cromwell. Lifted and youthful and bright, it’s edged with early-season cherry, baked beetroot, blueberry and rhubarb flavours wrapped around a core of juicy acidity and earthy tannins. … Read More

Ballasalla Central Otago Pinot Noir 2021

March 8, 2023

Ballasalla Central Otago Pinot Noir 2021 $32 Crafted by the team at Folding Hill, this is the new release of one of my favourite Central Otago pinot’s. I’m loving the whoomph of potpourri aromatics in every sniff of this wine, exotic florals and smoked berries merge with softly spiky tannins, and red cherry and raspberry … Read More

Giesen Estate New Zealand Riesling 2022

March 7, 2023

Giesen Estate New Zealand Riesling 2022 $12-$15 Paired with: Masala Fish Curry in the NZ Herald CANVAS magazine 11.3.2023 This chirpy little supermarket staple has won so many awards over recent decades that the Giesen brothers have had to add support struts to the trophy cabinet to cope with the weight of all the heavy … Read More

Monowai Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2022

March 7, 2023

Monowai Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2022 $24.99 Paired with: Spicy Mexican Prawns in NZ Herald CANVAS March 11 2023 Coriander, lime, garlic, chipotle and chilli? Pardon me but I’m about to paradiddle down to pinot gris town with this prawn recipe (shout out to all the percussionists out there). The rocky, high-altitude, free-draining soils of … Read More

Forrest Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020

March 3, 2023

Forrest Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020 $35 Bursting with bold hedgerow spices, japonica, wild cherry and berry notes, savoury, earthy layers and clean, refreshing textures, this is a youthful, spicy wine with chewy tannins and a big future ahead of it. Gamey complexity adds to its interest and length of flavour. Forrest

Monowai Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir Rosé 2022

March 3, 2023

Monowai Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir Rosé 2022 $24.99 Sometimes I make myself do a personal SWOT analysis, and it’s never pleasant. The main reason I force myself through this excruciating exercise is so I can reward-slash-console myself at its conclusion with something delicious made by Emma Lowe at Monowai. Her new rosé brings the grins … Read More

Shed 530 Estate Hawke’s Bay Albariño 2022

March 3, 2023

Shed 530 Estate Hawke’s Bay Albariño 2022 $23.99 Zesty-fresh and crunchy on the tongue and gums, this green apple-packed example is like an exfoliant for your palate. Dry, linear, lime-layered and mineral-dusted. It’ll also appeal to those who love a dry pinot gris or grigio as it has that whipcrack acidity and cleansing finish. Shed530 … 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.