Lindauer turns 30!

21 September 2011By Yvonne

A birthday for our bubbles… Who’d have thunk it?  Lindauer, the signature fizz of this fair land has turned 30!  Undoubtedly without this classic bubbly there’d be weddings, 21st’s, office shouts, Christmas parties, birthdays and (dare I say it) funerals which would be much less cheery affairs.  So lraise your glass to a brand which … Read More

squawking magpie ‘the stoned crow’ gimblett gravels syrah 2009

21 September 2011By Yvonne

Squawking Magpie ‘The Stoned Crow’ Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2009 $40  Inky-dark and packed with concentrated plum, cocoa, sexy spices and lifted dried-herb aromatics.  In the mouth it is luscious, juicy and elegantly flavoursome.  The tannins are solid, present yet beautifully integrated and contribute to stunning length of flavour.  This is a superb wine which is … Read More

27th August 2011 Is colour all it’s cracked up to be?

19 August 2011By Yvonne

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

Emerson’s Limited Edition Southern Clam Stout

14 August 2011By Yvonne

Emerson’s Limited Edition Southern Clam Stout 6% 500ml $9 I’ve tasted oyster stouts but never a clam stout, this one however is dark and inky with a foamy, coffee-creme coloured head.  On the nose it’s distinctly marmitey with a hint of dried kelp and salty seafood notes.  In the mouth it’s intense, with charred, iodine-like … Read More

Babich Headwaters Organic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010

20 July 2011By Yvonne

Babich ‘Headwaters’ Organic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010 $25  Aromatically it’s definitely on the herbaceous, slightly vegetal end of the spectrum and in the mouth it has a sharp, gooseberry and greengage flavour, however it’s a little disjointed on the finish.

Godelia Bierzo Godello 2009

15 July 2011By Yvonne

Godelia Bierzo Godello 2009 $25  Scenic Cellars in Taupo have just taken possession of an exciting new wine made by Godelia from little-known variety Godello located in Spain’s newest wine region Bierzo.  Bierzo is a Spanish DO (DenominaciÓn de Origen) for wines located in the northwest of the province of LeÓn.  The DO covers 23 … Read More

Godelia Bierzo Mencia 2008

15 July 2011By Yvonne

Godelia Bierzo Mencia 2008 $28  This is the first time I’ve tried a wine made from the Mencia grape and I was quite taken with it.  Grown in Spain’s newest wine region Bierzo is a Spanish DO (DenominaciÓn de Origen) for wines located in the northwest of the province of LeÓn. Scarlet-black, this Mencia  has … Read More

Seifried Nelson Gewurztraminer 2011

15 July 2011By Yvonne

SEIFRIED NELSON GEWURZTRAMINER 2011 $12 – $17  Tried this for the first time yesterday and thought it was pretty darn nice.  All those classic aromas of Turkish delight, spicy ginger and peach lead to a juicy, fresh finish.  Not overly sweet, but just enough to make an impression.  Seifried are legends at making gewürztraminer, and … Read More

Radio NZ National Wine Recommendations 4th November 2011

15 July 2011By Yvonne

Spent a superb couple of days in Marlborough last weekend at the bi-annual Marlborough Wine Weekend celebrations where wine fans like me got the chance to immerse ourselves in very focused, specialised tastings of different styles and wines from various sub-regions in some absolutely spectacular locations.  It’s a great way to see how diverse our … Read More