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
Author: Yvonne
Grange Rovers Unite
“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
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
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…
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
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
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
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
An Isabel Experience
Brad Tiller and his dog, Rhombus. It was a Wednesday, what was I thinking? “Come out for dinner with us,” said my friend Michael. “Brad Tiller from Isabel Vineyard is bringing a bunch of his wines over and the team at Cook ‘n’ With Gas on Worcester Boulevard has designed a menu to match. It’ll … Read More
Go Go Greystone!
If you thought great New Zealand pinot noir only poured out of Central Otago, then here’s a nugget of knowledge for you. Waipara is fast becoming where it’s at. Well, this week it was anyway, with the announcement that the Greystone ‘Brothers Reserve’ 2012 ($69) scooped the prestigious International Pinot Noir Trophy at the Decanter … Read More