Isabel Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Gris 2012 $22 ★★★★ This is one of my new favourite pinot gris styles because I love the juicy, marmalade, peach and quince flavours and the rich, deeply textural mouthfeel. It hits that balance between mid-palate generosity and dryness, cleansing crispness and long, luxurious length of flavour. www.glengarry.co.nz
Author: Yvonne
Mountford Estate Pinot Noir 2009
Mountford Estate Pinot Noir 2009 $72 ★★★★★ Absolutely gorgeous fresh berry aromatics combined with musky, perfumed, pot-pourri and rhubarb crumble characters in the mouth. I love the luscious raspberry, 5-spice and cherry cola succulence. It’s pricey, and higher in alcohol (14.5%) than most, but it’s sensational nonetheless. www.finewinedelivery.co.nz
Haha Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Haha Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2012 $16 ★★★★★ Wow! This is intense, concentrated stuff. Each glass is packed with passionfruit, lime and blackcurrant leaf loveliness on the nose and palate. Punchy and pungent, with a glorious, gum-tingling texture – it’s darn flash and should definitely be in your fridge this summer. www.hahawine.com
SPEND MORE ON YOUR SANITY
“Oh that’s such a cruisy job – wanna swap?” is something I hear regularly when I meet someone new and they find out what I do for a living. They must think it’s all just wine tasting day in day out, making a telly show and going to the occasional flash party. They don’t see … Read More
Positive Chi For Your Tastebuds
One thing I’ve learned is to never drink wine whilst watching Embarrassing Bodies followed by Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares. There’s nothing like an unsightly pus-filled lump followed by another, well, slightly worse tempered, foul mouthed, pus-filled lump to put my palate up the Khyber. For me, environment is everything. I’m no frilly hippy and I’m no … Read More
TOP NEW FOOD TV SHOWS FOR JANUARY
TOP NEW FOOD TV SHOWS FOR JANUARY FOOD TRIP WITH TODD ENGLISH TUESDAY 12.00PM, 4.00PM, 8.00PM on 1ST JANUARY In Food Trip with Todd English, the master chef, author and restaurateur again brings his talent and taste for reinventing traditional cooking to the screen. During his travels at home and abroad, Todd explores a different dish or … Read More
Richmond Plains Nelson Chardonnay 2011
Richmond Plains Nelson Chardonnay 2011 $19 ★★★½ This smells like a peach cupcake with grapefruit icing, it’s seriously tangy and tropical with lovely concentration and a seam of toasty oak to wrap up the finish. Delicious with pan-seared scallops topped with toasted almonds. www.richmondplains.co.nz
Moet & Chandon Ice Imperial
Moet & Chandon Ice Imperial 750ml $70 It’s official. The world’s most famous Champagne house has gone completely doolally but boy is the result delicious. Released in a groovy, white lacquered bottle, the Ice Imperial is rich, golden and definitely on the sweet side of the fence – the total opposite of what we’re used … Read More
Bollinger La Grande Année 2002
Bollinger La Grande Année 2002 $220 An aristocrat amongst champagne houses, this isn’t just a wine; it’s an experience of a lifetime. Only produced in years when the fruit is faultless and of exceptional quality, it glows white gold as it pours into the glass with a pillowy, creamy foam. Exotic aromas of preserved lemon, … Read More
Crabbie’s Original Alcoholic Ginger Beer
Crabbie’s Original Alcoholic Ginger Beer 500ml $5.49 No matter if you’re an ex-pat Brit or just nostalgic for your O.E, you’ll be happy to know one of the UK’s best-loved ginger beer’s is finally available in the antipodes. Created from four secret ingredients (actually three, because one has got to be ginger…) there’s a lovely … Read More