Published NZ Herald Sat 14 Nov 2015 Hobby horses, Austrian natives and the dangers of ride-on lawnmowers – don’t say you’ll never learn anything from a wine column… Wirra Wirra Scrubby Rise Shiraz Cabernet Petit Verdot 2013 $18 When the Rugby World Cup final was broadcast, there’s a high chance the crew … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Three drops to begin November
Published NZ Herald Sat 7 Nov 2015 “Whaat? Is it November already?” I shrieked at my 15 year old. “Yip. For realz” she mumbled from the couch. “Really?” I said. “Legit as” was her reply. “Forget November I sighed, I need a good wine with which to grieve the English language…” Brancott … Read More
Sileni Success
Published NZME Regional Newspapers Sat 31 Oct 2015 Every now and again I’m asked to take visitors to Hawke’s Bay on wine tours and I enjoy these for reasons aplenty. The first is that I’ll leap at any opportunity to show off the spectacular place where I was born, raised and live to anyone. … Read More
Supermarket wine made easy
Published NZME Regional Newspapers Sat 31 Oct 2015 When you turn your trolley around the end of the chippie and cracker aisle in the supermarket and launch yourself into the wine department, it’s almost an automatic response, to slow down, re-group and try to focus on finding something that’s going to taste good. The sheer … Read More
Wairau River Marlborough Albarino 2015
Wairau River Marlborough Albarino 2015 $25 ★★★★½ Who’d have thought we’d be growing this snappy Spanish white way down in Marlborough AND doing a great job of it? Well, the Rose family at Wairau River are doing just that. Beautiful aromas of citrus blossom, white peach and summer flowers tease the nose before an onslaught … Read More
Cider Satisfaction
Published NZME Regional Newspapers 24 Oct 2015 My name is Yvonne Lorkin and I am a cider nut. While wine is my core business (see what I did there), at least a couple of times a week I’ll treat myself to a glass something amazing made from our old friend the apple. One of … Read More
New Meaning to Old Vines
Published NZME Regional Newspapers Sat 17 Oct So you’re looking over at the fence at the back of your section at that gnarly old grapevine that’s been there since WAY before you bought the house and it occurs to you (again) “I wonder whether we could make wine from the grapes that grow on that?” … Read More
J. De Villaret Cremant de Loire Rose NV
J. De Villaret Cremant de Loire Rose NV $19.99 ★★★★ The Loire Valley is France’s largest producer of sparkling wine outside of the Champagne region. Most Cremant de Loire is produced around the city of Saumur and are blends of chardonnay, chenin blanc and cabernet franc. This super-affordable example has a very pretty salmon and … Read More
Codorniu Cuvee Barcelona 1872 Rosé NV
Codorniu Cuvee Barcelona 1872 Rosé NV $31.00 ★★★★ This is the first time I’ve tried Spanish Cava made in a rosé style and I really like it. While white cava is traditionally made using Macabeu, Xarel-lo and Parellada grapes, this is made from a selection of different red grapes and is fermented in oak casks. … Read More
Jansz Tasmania Premium Rosé Brut NV
Jansz Tasmania Premium Rosé Brut NV $28 ★★★★½ Tasmania is known around the world as a producer of super-fine, delicate sparkling wines and Jansz have been at the top of the tree since 1986. They’ve even coined their own brand ‘Methode Tasmanoise’ in homage to their France-Australia founders. This rosé is ultra-pale, ballet-shoe pink with … Read More