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
Columns
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
NZ International Wine Show 2011
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.
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