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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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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
Q Waitaki Pinot Noir 2022
3 September 2024Q Waitaki Pinot Noir 2022 $65 Waitaki is one of the hardest places in the world to grow grapes, the climate is extreme, it’s a harsh environment but grapevines thrive in that ‘treat em mean, keep em keen’ situation and who are we to judge? This pinot noir has a gentle earthiness, baked cherry and … Read More
Q Waitaki Valley Pinot Noir 2021
3 September 2024Q Waitaki Valley Pinot Noir 2021 Sipping this wine gave me a flashback to a dream I had recently, in which I remember swirling, sniffing, and sipping a pinot, then saying, ‘This is delicious. I’ll take a bottle!’ to which someone replied, ‘Ms Lorkin, this is a church. Let go of the cup and sit … Read More
Q Waitaki Valley Barrel Reserve Pinot Gris 2023
3 September 2024Q Waitaki Barrel Reserve Valley Pinot Gris 2023 $34 What a gris this turned out to be, with its apricot and quince paste perfume that merges with notes of Golden Delicious apple and scorched nashi to create rich, lengthy lusciousness on the palate. It’s energetic, exciting, a little raunchy, and a lot like a Guy … Read More
Q Waitaki Valley Chardonnay 2021
3 September 2024Q Waitaki Valley Chardonnay 2021 $42 Never heard of Q? It’s a tiny producer growing grapes in Waitaki’s deep limestone soils, only making wine when the fruit is perfect. The Waitaki wine region sits right on the southern edge of Canterbury and the northern lip of Otago, and it’s one of the most inhospitable climates … Read More
Q Waitaki Chardonnay 2023
3 September 2024Q Waitaki Chardonnay 2023 $42 Incredibly golden in the glass and glowing with tropical tantalistic intensity. I love its fresh apricot and pineapple punchiness, rich viscosity and generosity of flavour. A slip of toasty oak injects complexity and another delicious dimension. Beautifully balanced, this is an excellent wine! Q Wine
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Tempranillo 2022
2 September 2024Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Tempranillo 2022 $39 The team at Trinity Hill have been growing Tempranillo in their Gimblett Gravels vineyard since forever ago, and if I had a dollar for how many times this wine has scooped gold medals and trophies in the ‘other reds’ category in local wine shows, I’d probably have enough … Read More
Taylors St Andrews Clare Valley Chardonnay 2021
30 August 2024Taylors St Andrews Clare Valley Chardonnay 2021 $49 Hands down and no holds barred, this is one of the loveliest versions of St Andrews chardonnay I’ve ever tasted. Energetic lemon, grapefruit and white peach punchiness merge with popcorn, toasted macadamia and a hint of gunflint on the palate. Beautifully balanced, mouthwateringly textural, softly smoky and … Read More
Alexia The Weaver Wairarapa White Blend 2024
27 August 2024Alexia The Weaver Wairarapa White Blend 2024 $28 So what’s in a white blend? Where the Weaver’s concerned, it’s a blend of co-fermented gewürztraminer, pinot gris, and riesling from winemaking legend Jane Cooper. Super-fragrant blossoms, apples, lemon verbena, white pepper, brisk nashi, lychee, and honeysuckle heave forth. I really like the freshness of this wine … Read More
Alexia Family Tree Wairarapa White Pinot Noir 2024
24 August 2024Alexia Family Tree Wairarapa White Pinot Noir 2024 $32 Pink diamond in the glass and roaring with energetic raspberry, quartzy minerality and licks of freshly cut apple, this shiny new white pinot noir from winemaker Jane Cooper at Alexia is all sorts of special. Cleansing yet highly textural and showing great generosity of flavour, hints … Read More
Alexia Gentle Girl Wairarapa Rosé 2024
24 August 2024Alexia Gentle Girl Wairarapa Rosé 2024 $28 If you’re a fan of cleansing red apple, raspberry, soft cherry and sarsparilla notes in your rosé then you’ve driven down the right cul de sac my friend. Winemaker Jane Cooper and partner Lesley Reidy have named this wine in honour of all the strong, creative, influential and … 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.
