“Oh cool – what are you killing Dad?” my nine year old son craned his neck to see my husband drowning a white tail spider in a flood of Black Flag. “It was a big bugger son” said my husband as he flicked it out the window, “it almost crawled into your shoe”. “Should have … Read More
2011 Archived Columns
3 November 2011 Either Hugo or I go…
Either Hugo or I go… One of Australia’s most famous brands has had a major makeover. Not only has it given its label a bit of nip-and-tuck and indulged in an expensive set of extensions; it’s also visited the local council chambers, filled out the forms and instigated a name change. First launched in 1980 … Read More
Olssen’s Vineyard Sold – announcement just in
Hello Yvonne It is with mixed feelings that after 22 years in the business John and I have found a great set of future custodians for the special vineyard that is Olssens. By planting on the now famous Felton Road we became wine making pioneers of the Bannockburn region and the Cromwell basin. We had a vision of creating … Read More
Wynns Wines and Hard Rock Shiraz
Wynns has been around since the dawn of the dingoes and Kiwi’s have long been huge fans. When I asked around my local traps (the school mums, supermarket checkout ladies, the lotto man, the rural post driver, the plumber and the sparky), about the first red wines they ever tried, this reliable, cuddly Coonawarra brand … Read More
Gritty kiwi winemaking doco gives a few giggles
It’s called Passion and Patience, it’s a no-frills account of what’s involved in growing grapes, making wine and trying to make a dollar along the way. Don’t expect flashy, slick film making on this dvd – expect an honest account and a few laughs. http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/news/passion-in-gritty-wine-doco/1117501/
Kate Moss, Sailors, Mosel and Ethiopian Wine
Model Winemaker I had to have a chuckle the other day after I’d tweeted the news that international supermodel Kate Moss had purchased a £130,000 vineyard in France for her new husband Jamie Hince. Replies included “unless she’s careful the wine will taste thin and lack body”, and cheekily referring to her cigarette habit and … Read More
Kidnapper Cliffs Cabernet Scoops 5 Nations Trophy
A partnership between prestigious Martinborough producer Dry River and pioneering Gimblett Gravels winery Te Awa in Hawke’s Bay, has beaten an esteemed field from South Africa, Argentina, Australia, Chile and New Zealand to take the hotly contested Five Nations Challenge Red Wine of the Show Trophy. The Kidnapper Cliffs Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 ($55) was … Read More
19th September 2011 Wine Awards Season
Wah-hoo! It’s Wine Awards Season! There’s no doubt about it, we are in the thick of wine awards season. Medal announcements are flying around the media faster than a Sonny Bill shirt-swap pic on Facebook. I’ve lost count of how many press releases I’ve seen just in the last few days announcing trophies here, gold … Read More
September 3 2011 Alpha Domus Aviator Reaches New Heights
“Having our winery right in the middle of the vineyard is the best thing for me as a winemaker” says Kate Galloway of Hawke’s Bay’s Alpha Domus wines. “I love being able to walk outside directly into any of our vineyard blocks to check on how the fruit is tasting. I definitely think this is … Read More
27th August 2011 Is colour all it’s cracked up to be?
Is Colour all it’s cracked up to be? One of the unique aspects of this job is that over the course of a year you get to try an immense array of wines from week to week and your tastebuds are constantly tested because they’re never allowed a dull moment. Many of the wines I … Read More