One of the bazillions of things that I love about wine, is that when I’m doing my tastings sure as eggs something’s going to surprise me. Something will step up, stand out and shake the old foundations of what I think is stylistically ‘normal’. I love that I’m seeing WAY more sauvignon blanc that’s been … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Champagne Marion Bosser Extra Brut Blanc de Blanc NV $60
Enjoyed by First Class passengers on British Airways, and recent winner of the Chairman’s Trophy at the ‘Ultimate Wine Challenge’ in NYC, this jaw-slackingly sensational champagne from a tiny vineyard in Hautvillers (home of Dom Perignon) is made by all-female team of Bernadette Marion-Bosser (who rebuilt the brand back in 1994) and her young daughter … Read More
Karven Bianco Vermouth 500ml $44.95
The lift of fresh orange zest, intense spices and a mouthfeel so smooth and seductive, it’s no surprise that good vermouth has been used for centuries to aid digestive health and fire up even the most flaccid of libidos. Created from local grapes and botanicals like kawakawa and horopito sourced from near the Riverhead-based distillery, … Read More
Mon Cheval Waipara Gewurztraminer 2016 $29.99
Whoever said racehorses were a great way to lose money, clearly didn’t own ‘Under Cover Lover’, the champion racehorse who earned her owners enough cash to start their dream as winegrowers in Waipara’s Weka Pass. Very small amounts of this gewürztraminer were made by legendary winemaker CP Lin, and I love the ginger, musk and … Read More
Canvas column week commencing 22nd April, 2017
Abraham Lincoln once said “Folks who have no vices, have very few virtues”. I have three vices du jour – hence my virtuousness runneth over… Mon Cheval Waipara Gewurztraminer 2016 $29.99 Whoever said racehorses were a great way to lose money, clearly didn’t own ‘Under Cover Lover’, the champion racehorse who earned her owners enough … Read More
Canvas column week commencing 2nd April, 2016
How long is it until the next census? In the box that asks to what religion I subscribe, I shall write “The Holy Brethren of Broad City and Caitlin Moran”. These women appreciate the creative powers that tasty wines can impart on ones choreography skills; values that count in today’s competitive environment. Henry’s Drive … Read More
Nga Waka Home Block Martinborough Chardonnay 2015 $40
If you’re a fan of buttery chardonnay, this brand new vintage from Martinborough’s Parkinson family will have you grinning. With roasty, toasty, nutty notes gleaned from barrel fermentation, soft, creamy layers from the full malolactic ferment and tangy nectarine and peach flavours soaking through to the finish, it’s a ‘thinkers’ chardonnay. I’m also certain it’ll … Read More
Craggy Range Te Kahu 2014 $27
Craggy Range’s ‘Giants’ winery (located in Hawke’s Bay’s Tuki Tuki Valley) is often enveloped in early morning mist which rises above the river. They’ve named this wine Te Kahu, (‘The Cloak’ in Maori) in homage to this mist. Like the 2013 vintage, this blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, malbec and cabernet franc, has deep colour … Read More
Fontanafredda Le Fronde Moscato d’Asti 2013 $35
At just 5% alcohol, this is a super-light, super-sweet little sip that’ll perk up even the most jaded tastebuds. Forget any past experiences with bad old, mass-produced Asti because this is the genuine article. Pure, uncut awesomeness. With a deliciously delicate, creamy mousse, lifted, musky apricot and honeysuckle flavours and a long, spritzy finish – … Read More
Canvas column week commencing 9th April, 2016
You’ve spent the week working hard to be all things to all people. Maintaining through the demands of family, friends, your workplace and those pesky SocMed platforms that’ll forget you in a click if you don’t ‘like’, ‘share’, ‘regram’, ‘retweet’ or ‘snap’ something every seven minutes. Good wine doesn’t care. It always has your back. … Read More