Published NZME Regional Newspapers Sat 6 Jun 2015 I tend to daydream a lot about the things I’d do if I suddenly came into money. Overwhelmingly those things involve hiring people who are expert in their chosen fields to do all the hard work for me. I’d hire a cleaner, a gardener, a chef and … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Crafting Genius
Published NZME Regional Newspapers Sat 30 May 2015 I’m typing this whilst sitting at the hairdressers, chin-deep in a billowing black cape. I have a head covered in little tinfoil parcels containing chunks of hair that are slowly sautéing toward a lighter shade of something-or-rather. It’s hardly attractive. There’s something about hairdressers mirrors that make … Read More
The Philistines Wine Group
Published NZME Regional Newspapers Sat 23 May 2015 Once upon a time, back in 2006, four self-confessed “school dad’s from Napier hill” got together to form a club. “It was while we were celebrating my son Max’s 4th birthday,” says founding member Allister Bathgate. “The dads were relaxing on the lawn when the subject of … Read More
Craggy Range Sophia 2013
Craggy Range Sophia 2013 $72.95 ★★★★★ This rose and cedar-scented red is a blend of 62% merlot, 19% cabernet sauvignon, 18% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. Juicy and concentrated, this wine offers exotic aromas of bitter cocoa, sun-dried herbs and dense, dark berry fruit. There’s also an instant hit of warmth and woodsmoke, graphite, … Read More
Craggy Range Aroha Te Muna Road Pinot Noir 2013
Craggy Range Aroha Te Muna Road Pinot Noir 2013 $99.95 ★★★★★ Highly floral aromatics, with rosehip and black tea, plum, rhubarb and a smorgasbord of red fruits burst through on the nose and make way to pillowy, cherry-bramble and spice-forward flavours. There’s a hint of cassia bark, pomegranate, white pepper and smoke followed by leafy, … Read More
Golden Eagle ‘The Bitter End’ Special Bitter
Golden Eagle ‘The Bitter End’ Special Bitter 500ml 4.4% $8 Crafted by Christchurch-based brewer David Gaughan, this is a powerful, biscuity beer with great freshness in the mid-palate, lifted roasting coffee bean characters and a cleansing, bitter finish. Solid. www.beercellar.co.nz
Toi Toi Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Toi Toi Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014 $18 ★★★½ If you like your sauvignon packed with passionfruit, lime, basil, pea pod and peach flavours then you’d best get your keyboard out and order some of this pronto. Uncomplicated, fresh, zingy and superb with steamed mussels – what more do you need? www.toitoiwines.co.nz
Matariki Quintology 2009
Matariki Quintology 2009 $80 ★★★★★ After a few years in the bottle, this Gimblett Gravels-grown blend of merlot, cabernet’s sauvignon and franc, malbec and syrah, is really hitting its straps. With sexy, exotic aromas of ripe blackberry and sweet plum smashed into seasoned saddle leather and sprinkled with dried herbs, violets, bitter chocolate and white … Read More
If you will be upstanding…
Here’s my dilemma. My job as a writer is making me fat! It’s making me fat because firstly, being self-employed, I obsess about every waking moment being used efficiently, to earn money to keep things ticking over if you will. I’m also a mother of two and wife of one, so if I take time … Read More
Meandering Through Martinborough’s Vineyards
Back in January my husband and I were lucky enough to attend the 10th Annual Martinborough Meandering Vineyard Lunch. This is a coup because tickets tend to disappear with alarming speed as soon as the date is announced. Why? Because it’s one of the best darn wine events this side of the Ruamahanga River that’s … Read More