“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
Columns
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
Must’ve happened in a Pask life…
Pask’s got the Power! New life is being injected into the 30 year old CJ Pask brand with the addition of pinot noir from Martinborough and aromatics from Marlborough in a move that has made General Manager and Winemaker Kate Radburnd very happy. “I first met ex-top dressing pilot Chris Pask when he supplied grapes … Read More
Maude Riesling Named Supreme Champion
Maude, Mt Maude Vineyard, East Block Riesling has been awarded the Supreme Champion Wine In Show Trophy at the Avenues International Aromatic Wine Competition, which is celebrating ten years of competition in 2012. Mt Maude is a family-owned vineyard located just outside of Wanaka in Central Otago. The vineyard was created by winemaking couple Sarah-Kate and Dan … Read More
Stonecroft 30th Anniversary Shindig!
An interesting wee invitation popped into my inbox from the lovely Andria Monin from Stonecroft in Hawke’s Bay “We will be celebrating Stonecroft’s 30th anniversary at Labour Weekend. As you know, since we took over at Stonecroft in 2010 we have held an Annual Vintage Sale at Labour Weekend, where we have brought out some … Read More
It’s a Central Otago Fest at the Foodstore October 17th! Click image to view…
Pinot at Cloudy Bay and Pinot to Ponder…
After more than ten years of trying without success to get a seat at the annual Pinot at Cloudy Bay event I was beginning to think it was just my destiny to forever fail. The first year I was about to pop my cheque in the post when the phone rang. “Congratulations, you’re pregnant,” announced … Read More
Try a kiwi version of a Spanish classic with Rick Stein’s Stew…
Rick Stein’s Spain on FoodTV (new to food tv) TUESDAYS 12.30pm, 4.30pm & 8.30pm Much as I love my father and my stepfather, for years I’ve harboured hope that one day my mother would marry Rick Stein. His manner is always so warm and effortlessly cheerful and there’s just something about him that makes you … Read More
Sauvignon Fans Ahoy!
If you’ve been hiding under a rock for the last week or so would you have missed the news that The Ned Sauvignon Blanc 2011 by Marisco Vineyards won the International Trophy for ‘Best in Show Sauvignon Blanc Under £10’ at the Decanter World Wine Awards in London. This is good news for two reasons, … Read More
Cloudy Bay Aroma Wine Garden Created to Savour Scarce Vintage
The 2012 Sauvignon Blanc is classic Cloudy Bay. Lifted and punchy aromatics presented in an elegant and sophisticated fashion, the 2012 vintage has great balance and poise, showing a delicious core of lime-‐citrus flavour and a fresh, crisp acid structure. 25% less Sauvignon Blanc was produced in Marlborough this year due to the lowest temperature … Read More