St Andrews Sparkling Cider 750ml $15 Restaurants and bars across Hawke’s Bay have been enjoying sole custody of this cracking new cider – but that’s all changed now that the nation can buy it from their snazzy new website. Deeply golden and boasting subtle, fruit-wax and pure apple aromas, it’s produced from apples grown on … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Brancott Estate Special Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Gris 2012
Brancott Estate Special Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Gris 2012 $28 ★★★★ Wild passionfruit, elderflower, white peach, basil, white pepper, nectarine and lime – it’s all in here. Brancott have been doing interesting things with sauvignon gris (a singular grape variety, not a blend of sauvignon blanc and pinot gris) recently and the results get better every … Read More
Gladstone Estate 12,000 miles Wairarapa Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Gladstone Vineyard 12,000 miles Wairarapa Sauvignon Blanc 2012 $19 ★★★½ A superb sauvignon showing peach fuzz, passionfruit and citrus aromas that lead to punchy, cheek-sucking acidity, blackcurrant leaf, pineapple and herbaceous flavours and an intense, lime-laden finish. I’d love to taste this again in 12 months time when it’s had a chance to soften slightly. … Read More
Isabel Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Gris 2012
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
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