Three to satisfy urges

20 February 2016By Yvonne

Published NZ Herald Sat 20 Feb 2016   If you feel the urge to adopt an organic edge, embrace the ANZAC spirit or immerse yourself in something unusual from Italy, I think I’ve got just what you’re looking for this week…   Richmond Plains Nelson Pinot Noir 2014 $27.99 Don’t be expecting to see a neatly … Read More

Terra Sancta Central Otago Mysterious White 2014

19 February 2016By Yvonne

Terra Sancta Central Otago Mysterious White 2014 $24 ★★★½ Well there’s nothing I love more than a good mystery, and this cheek-slappingly tasty blend of muscat, gewürztraminer, pinot gris and riesling has plenty of that.  With aroma of musk and apple skin, chalky mineral-like notes, powdery florals and punchy, white peach it’s a complex task … Read More

Invivo Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015

17 February 2016By Yvonne

Invivo Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $19 ★★★★½ You won’t be disappointed with this crunchy, clean, passionfruit-packed sauvignon, in fact the minute you try it you’ll probably want to race down to the supermarket to grab a second bottle.  Signature grassy notes, capsicum zingy juicy white nectarine, white pepper complexity and juicy length of flavour, make this … Read More

Fancy an Italian? Read this first.

16 February 2016By Yvonne

Published NZME Regional Newspapers Tue 16 Feb 2016   What’s up DOC, or was that DOCG? I think I might have VDT… More and more Italian wine is becoming available in New Zealand, and while it’s hardly rocket science figuring out how Italy (with its climatic blessings) manages to produce superlative wines year after year, … Read More

A trio to love

15 February 2016By Yvonne

Published NZ Herald Sat 13 Feb 2016   So you’re gunning to get into the good-books with your valentine tomorrow.  You’ve bought flowers, heaping wads of the best chocolate you can find, you’ve even bought a snazzy card and poured your heart out to her with a handwritten message inside (remember handwriting?)  Complete the equation … Read More

Wine talk

9 February 2016By Yvonne

Published NZME Regional Newspapers Tue 9 Feb 2016   Clos Marguerite Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $27 ★★★★½ For me, sauvignon blanc’s like this absolutely scream their sense of place.  From a mile away you can tell it’s from the Awatere Valley because of the gorgeous elderflower, lemon blossom, peach and lime perfume typical of the … Read More

Three soothing bottles

6 February 2016By Yvonne

Published NZ Herald Sat 6 Feb 2016   If you’re finding you’re struggling to cope with the TPPA, the threat of ISIS, the shambolic weather this week and those ubiquitous, eye-stabbingly annoying ‘Be Like Bill’ posts on your Facebook timeline  – help is at hand.  You can thank me later.    Gemtree Bloodstone Shiraz 2013 … Read More

Tastes of summer

2 February 2016By Yvonne

Published NZME Regional Newspapers Tue 2 Feb 2016   Hands up if you’re one of the 340-odd thousand people who viewed the clip on YouTube of Australian woman Cheryl Marshall, making her own sparkling wine from a 5ltr cask (or ‘goon bag’ as they say in OZ) of Berri ‘Fresh Dry White’ in her soda … Read More

Music Bay ‘Summer’ Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015

1 February 2016By Yvonne

Music Bay ‘Summer’ Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $15 ★★★ This is one of those super-easy, ‘drink it, don’t overthink it’ wines that ticks all the boxes for all those good things like passionfruit, peach, hints of fresh herb, capsicum and cut grass flavours.  It’s definitely a sauvignon to savour now – don’t go stashing it … Read More

Allan Scott Cecilia Brut Vintage 2011

1 February 2016By Yvonne

Allan Scott Cecilia Brut Vintage 2011 $28 ★★★★ The Scott family have been making wine in Marlborough since way back in 1990, however it’s only been in recent years that their sparkling wines have really started to make a real impact, well on my palate anyway.  This vintage Methode Traditionnelle is crafted from chardonnay only … Read More