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
2014 Archived Columns
“…and then one time, at Wine Camp…”
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
“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
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
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
New Zealand’s First 2014 Sauvignon Blanc Released Today
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Hawke’s Bay releases the nation’s first 2014 “Sauvy” Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand – April 1st 2014 – Marlborough may be the home of Sauvignon Blanc but this year Hawke’s Bay is its home-away-from-home, as the first Sauvignon Blanc of the season hits the market today care of local winery Moana Park. The “Crush … Read More
NZ winery first in southern hemisphere to trade with bitcoin
I don’t usually post press releases verbatim – but this just came through and I think it’s rather cool… 27 November 2013 MEDIA RELEASE – PYRAMID VALLEY VINEYARDS A small high-end winery in North Canterbury is set to become the first wine business in the southern hemisphere to accept bitcoin payment to make transactions easier … Read More