A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
A wine from the McLaren Vale in South Australia – the classic southern Rhone blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. An inky-dark garnet in the glass. Spicy and herbal on …
D’Arenberg ‘The Innocent Weed’ Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvèdre 2021 Read More
On my latest trip to Central, I finally found time to drop into the Tasting Room, in Cromwell, of Misha’s Vineyard. I’d been up in Bendigo that morning with my …
A visit to Misha’s Read More
A wine from Central Otago – a fresh look at a wine I first tasted in May 2020. A vibrant pale lemon-green in the glass, with a complex, toasty bouquet …
Lamont Chardonnay 2018 Read More
A single vineyard Bendigo wine, from this label’s first commercial vintage in 2008 – a rare 15-year old find, and a joy to taste over lunch this week. A clear …
Misha’s Vineyard ‘Verismo’ Pinot Noir 2008 Read More
A fairly rare varietal in New Zealand – this one from two sites in Gibbston Valley and Cromwell. ‘Alternative whites’ like this, or Albarino, Gruner Veltliner, Chenin Blanc and Viognier …
Mt Rosa Pinot Blanc 2018 Read More
A rare wine from Martinborough, only made in exceptional years – and not often – I can only recall two other occasions I might have tasted this wine, from a …
Martinborough Vineyard ‘Marie Zelie’ Reserve Pinot Noir 2006 Read More
A single vineyard wine from the Taylors Pass vineyard in the Awatere Valley, Marlborough. A striking deep, medium-gold colour in the glass. Beautifully aromatic, rich and spicy without any hint …
Villa Maria Taylors Pass Chardonnay 2014 Read More
An updated review from me on this New Zealand sparkling wine, from their organic, biodynamically-certified estate vineyard in Bendigo, Central Otago, made in the ‘Méthode Traditionelle’ – a blend of …
Quartz Reef Méthode Traditionelle Brut NV Read More
A wine from their Bendigo vineyard, in Central Otago. Hand-picked, and a quarter of the blend fermented in older barrels. A vibrant lemon-green colour, with a deliciously appealing perfume. Varietally …
Misha’s Vineyard ‘Dress Circle’ Pinot Gris 2021 Read More
A new box of wine discoveries from the good folk at Laithwaites. They really do seem to be able to deliver the goods again and again – it’s never a …
A new selection from Laithwaites, Feb ’23 Read More