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
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
Mt Difficulty Long Gully Central Otago Pinot Noir 2009
Mt Difficulty Long Gully Central Otago Pinot Noir 2009 $90 You can’t be a pinot noir fan in New Zealand without having heard of Mount Difficulty (or “Mount D” as the cool people in the trade say) The Long Gully vineyard used to be the old ‘oat paddock’ for Kawarau Station before the Dicey family … Read More
Matawhero Gisborne Chardonnay 2010
Matawhero Gisborne Chardonnay 2010 $25 Scented with popcorn, candyfloss, peach and mango cream, it’s a style that’s out on its own but I like it. Definitely a food-friendly example that has good length of flavour and presence on the palate. www.matawhero.co.nz
Pasquale Waitaki Gewurztraminer 2010
Pasquale Waitaki Gewurztraminer 2010 $30 Lovely lifted aromas of lychee, greengage plum and ginger. In the mouth it is elegantly crisp, well balanced and has a deliciously tangy finish. www.pasquale.co.nz
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
Invercargill Brewery Men’n Skuurts Scottish Ale
Invercargill Brewery ‘Men’N Skurrts’ Scottish Ale 330ml $6 This gutsy, malty, frothy-headed Scotch ale tips its hat to Invercargill’s pioneering forefathers with a splash of peat smoke. It’s a solid, Southland beer that’ll warm the cockles and shiver your timbers – but only for a limited time. Visit www.invercargillbrewery.co.nz for how and where to buy. Invercargill Brewery’s … Read More
Redwood Cellars
Redwood Cellars Mulled Wine $16 If you’re not inclined to slave over a hot stove when it comes to creating this classic winter warmer, then this is the just the ticket. Scented with ripe, plummy fruit and hot cross bun spices; it’s a tangy, sweet, juicy microwaveable treat. A steaming mug whilst watching the campfire … 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