Killarabbit Double IPA

11 February 2015By Yvonne

Killarabbit Double IPA 330ml (7.2%) $7 Brewed on site by Bannockburn-based winery, Terra Sancta and fermented in aged pinot noir barrels, this brilliant brew is dry-hopped with Pacific Gem and Nelson Sauvin hops for extra-squeaky bitterness. It’s then left unfiltered and bottle-conditioned before being unleashed on the market. Packed with tropical tanginess, herbaceous, resin-like loveliness … Read More

Decades of Dogs…

22 November 2014By Yvonne

Last week I wrote about everything being better in two’s and how fun it is to taste two different vintages of the same wine side by side to pick out the differences. Well if the team at Dog Point in Marlborough didn’t just decide to dial that idea up by 500% and open up ten … Read More

“…and then one time, at Wine Camp…”

13 November 2014By Yvonne

If you’re an aspiring hospitality professional with a hankering to upskill your wine knowledge, by far the best way to do that is by getting down and dirty in the vineyard and winery. There’s no better, faster, more authentic way to learn how this magical beverage is made, than by immersing yourself in the process, … Read More

Grange Rovers Unite

4 November 2014By Yvonne

“Shall we double-decant the Grange’s?” isn’t something I hear everyday. My days are normally about as exciting as “Do you want fries with that?” or “What’ll it be; trim or full fat?” But for a wine nerd like me, the question “Shall we double-decant the Grange’s?” is akin to hearing fairytale-like phrases such as “Mr … Read More

Ginger Ninjas

15 October 2014By Yvonne

Everywhere you turn right now there’s someone doing something nifty with ginger. Wigram Brewing in Christchurch have added to their seasonal range the ‘Ginger Jerry’ a wheat beer (or Wit Bier) infused with ginger, honey and lemon – it’ll clear the nose and soothe the throat. Hawke’s Bay Independent Breweries are fizzing over their Ginger … Read More

Don’t ignore 2012’s from Hawke’s Bay

15 October 2014By Yvonne

An email arrived halfway through January from Michael Henley, CEO of Trinity Hill Wines. “Trinity Hill are releasing our 2012 Gimblett Gravels wines and I was wondering if you would be interested in receiving some samples?”  “Save your samples”, I wrote back, “I’m actually in Hawke’s Bay right now and I’m happy to pop over … Read More

Wearable Arts, William Shatner and a Rhone from Home…

12 September 2014By Yvonne

Your own WOW Factor Last week I wrote about the commemorative Wearable Arts Awards bottles of new Brancott Estate wines that were now available. This week I’ve stumbled across a never-done-before Wearable Arts crowd-sourced experiment spearheaded by designer extraordinaire David Trubridge. Supported by WOW sponsors Brancott Estate, Trubridge is working on a ‘mystery wearable artwork’ … Read More

Chefs Create ‘Zealous Passion’Tribute to Noel Crawford

22 July 2014By Yvonne

MEDIA RELEASE                                                     NZ Top chefs join for top dinner Avid foodies will have to be quick to get tickets as some of New Zealand’s best chefs create a four-course dinner on 30th August 2014 in celebration of their friend and colleague the late Noel Crawford.  But that’s not all.  Their purchase will raise funds … Read More

Boost your wine know-how on a Budget

16 July 2014By Yvonne

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been asked “How can I get better at tasting wine and deciding what styles I like?” This one is easy to answer.  You’ve got to practise.  Taste anything and everything you’re exposed to and soon grasshopper, it will all become clear which types of wines will … Read More

Sauternes 2001 Library Tasting

10 July 2014By Yvonne

Library Tasting of 2001 Sauternes Here’s your chance to be one of the privileged few to taste 12 of the greatest sweet wines (including Ch. D’Yquem) from “Perhaps the greatest Sauternes vintage in modern times” according to Jancis Robinson MW. Held in Wellington, at the Tasting Room at Regional Wines & Spirits at 6pm, Thursday … Read More