A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
No. 1 Cuvée NV A ‘Blanc de Blancs’ expression, made from Chardonnay. A pale lemon-green colour in the glass, with a busy rush of very fine bubbles. The perfume has …
Recent releases from No.1 Family Estate Read More
A white wine from Martinborough – one of a few excellent whites I’ve had recently from this region which is best known for its Pinot Noir. Winner of the Champion …
Te Kairanga Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2025 Read More
THE viognier from Condrieu – considered by most critics as the finest example in the world – from the producer that ‘saved the Condrieu appellation’ from extinction in the 1930s …
Georges Vernay Coteau de Vernon Condrieu 2015 Read More
Made from Chenin Blanc (75%) and Chardonnay (25%), sealed under cork. A deep mahogany copper colour in the glass. Intense, sweet aromas rise, with nutmeg, walnut, peach, apricot, molasses, cardamom, …
Esk Valley Botrytis Bunch Selection Reserve 1992 Read More
The first edition of this label’s white Bordeaux blend to be released under its new reserve name ‘Minuetto’. The blend is 60% Sauvignon Blanc & 40% Semillon – the Semillon …
Pegasus Bay ‘Minuetto’ Sauvignon-Semillon 2021 Read More
A ‘Bordeaux style’ red blend from Hawke’s Bay – the icon wine of this producer, and made in one of the greatest vintages for red wines in living memory. A …
Esk Valley ‘The Terraces’ 2013 Read More
A Pinot Noir from the Upper Awatere Valley in Marlborough. Unfiltered, it is a dense, opaque dark burgundy colour in the glass. The perfume shows dark cherry, toasted middle eastern …
Tohu Whenua Awa Pinot Noir 2021 Read More
In 2023 the Champion Pinot Noir of the New Zealand International Wine Show was the 2020 ‘Reserve’ bottling of this wine from Martinborough. A dark but bright ruby colour in …
Dublin St. Pinot Noir 2020 Read More
From the Awatere Valley in Marlborough in a season that ‘delivered near-perfect growing conditions’. A pale steely-green colour in the glass. The aromatic and intense bouquet begins with fresh herbaceous …
Tohu Sauvignon Blanc 2025 Read More
A Chardonnay from Marlborough, and winner of the Champion Chardonnay Trophy at NZIWS this year. A very pale lemon-green colour in the glass. The perfume is complex and plush, with …
Catalina Sounds ‘Sound of White’ Chardonnay 2023 Read More