A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
Haidee Johnson is the winemaker behind Halite. She has quietly turned a lifelong curiosity about wine into a successful career. She got her degree and then from making wines across …
Winemaker series: Haidee Johnson 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
Wine – and especially Champagne – is here for one very specific reason: to spark joy. There’s something about Champagne that makes moments feel bigger, brighter, and just a little …
A Champagne tasting at Glengarry 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
A wine from Bannockburn in Central Otago. A translucent, bright pale gold in the glass. The brightness shows in the bouquet too – a vivid blend of orange blossom, jasmine, …
Akarua Pinot Gris 2024 Read More
A white wine from the Gladstone sub-region of Wairarapa, and a varietal that seems to be in decline after looking very promising for New Zealand a decade ago. A pale …
Urlar Gladstone Viognier 2023 Read More