Righto…8.44am and I’m about to head into the second day of judging at the NZIWS at North Harbour Stadium. 80 Pinot Noir and 60 Shiraz await my team – Jane Skilton MW, Michael Ivecevich and Damian Fisher. Sorry teeth, but it’s gonna be a big one.
2011 Archived Columns
1 August 2011 Snow mean feat…
Maybe it was the heaving blue swell of the Kaikoura coast to catch up with family after being housebound in Christchurch for the last six months. Or it could have been gathering around the kitchen bench making plans to see baby seals, grown-up seals and touristy, historic whatnot. It may also have something to do … Read More
Nautilus Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Nautilus Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010 $25 A lip-smackingly lovely sauvignon which oozes fresh passionfruit, lemon verbena, passionfruit, grass clippings and fresh basil aromas and tangy, tropical, old-school ‘Jungle Juice’ flavours which make it a fantastic match with steamed mussels slathered in garlic and parsley cream. For more info visit www.nautilusestate.com
Food Matching Mistakes and Space Age Wines
When it comes to food and wine matching, my less-than-lithe figure can testify to years of experience, happily most of it good. Like the incredible, tongue-melting experience that was the John Forrest Collection Marlborough Chardonnay 2006 and seared scallops straight from the Sounds; or the wordless wonder that is a disc of foie gras atop … Read More
Millton Clos de Ste. Anne Les Arbes Gisborne Viognier 2009
Millton Clos de Ste. Anne Les Arbes Gisborne Viognier 2009 $58 Yes it’s pricey but it’s oh so nicey! Mandarin and tangelo notes with classic apricot kernel and cheek-tingling texture and orange oil unctuosity. Delicious stuff from one of this country’s viognier pioneers, plus it’s organic and biodynamically produced so no doubt you’ll have … Read More
Cheap and not so cheerful
Even if you’re only drinking the occasional glass of wine with dinner, the acidity and tannins will play havoc with your enamel. However in my job, where I’m tasting a couple of dozen wines a week (or up to a hundred wines a day if I’m judging), it’s like I’ve declared all-out war on my … Read More
Tukipo River Estate ‘Fat Snapper’ Chardonnay 2010
Tukipo River Estate Fat Snapper Chardonnay 2010 $20 A collective ‘Oh wow!’ rose from the table as soon as my guests started sipping this new Central Hawke’s Bay chardonnay. With incredibly concentrated guava, peach, grapefruit and pineapple aromas combined with elegant acidity, power, freshness and vitality on the finish it’s sensational stuff for the price. … Read More
11th July 2011 All Lost in the Supermarket
Even if you’re only drinking the occasional glass of wine with dinner, the acidity and tannins will play havoc with your enamel. However in my job, where I’m tasting a couple of dozen wines a week (or up to a hundred wines a day if I’m judging), it’s like I’ve declared all-out war on my … Read More
4 July 2010 – Vegan Vegetarian Vino
If you’re of the vegan persuasion then you’ll be chuffed to know that Blackenbrook Wines, in Tasman Bay near Nelson will be printing ‘vegan wine’ on all their white wines from the 2011 vintage. The demand for vegan wines is on the increase according to Duncan Gillespie of Wellington’s Regional Wines & Spirits. “It’s following … Read More
Fair suck of the sav’ mate!
New Zealand wines banned from entering leading Australian wine shows… In a case of fair suck of the sav’, some of New Zealand’s leading wineries have been refused permission to enter their wines in the upcoming Royal Hobart Wine Show according to an article written by Giles Hine of www.tizwine.com. Royal Hobart’s reason for their … Read More