Charmian Smith

A great money-saver for family food budgets is to take lunch to school or work from home.

Central Otago pinot noir now has an international reputation, but 20 years ago the idea was just a sparkle in a few people's eyes.

Because Central Otago's sub-regions are separated by mountain ranges, rivers and lakes, all of which influence the climate and exposure, each tends to have its own character.

Pinot noir is more than just a wine to enjoy.

Showing regional produce and matching it with the wine is an important part of festivals such as this.

I haven't seen as many weedy unripe reds around in the past few years.

About a year ago a buzz hummed round the New Zealand wine industry because Neal Martin, a young British wine writer who had recently joined the American wine critic Robert Parker's Wine Advocate team of "super-palates", was visiting New Zealand.

Several people have commented on the different levels in the bottles photographed for the weekly wine reviews, and asked why some with markedly less wine only got three stars, while a fuller bottle might have been awarded four.

Oregano threatens to take over my herb garden.

Mount Edward has changed enormously in the five years since founder Alan Brady joined forces with Duncan Forsyth and John Buchanan, originally from Otago, who now lives in Bermuda.

The smell of bacon cooking must be one of the most appetising in the world. But not all bacon is all bacon. Charmian Smith investigates.

Shiraz or syrah, depending on whether it comes from Australia or New Zealand, is a rich, dark wine, oozing berries and spice.

It takes a brave person and a leap of imagination to plant hectares of vines in an area where everyone tells you grapes won't grow, but that is what is behind the story of Marlborough sauvignon blanc.

Looking down from the hill behind the Greystone Vineyard, you can see almost the whole of the Waipara Valley, with vineyards swathed in bird nets.

Whether it's medium sweet or dry, there's little more refreshing than a cool glass of young zesty, limey riesling

Even when you don't have time to get to the shops, you can always produce a meal if you have something in the garden.

Gewurztraminer like all wine is best when well balanced - the luxurious aromas and rich flavours hinting of of muscatels, roses and lychees offset by poise and a clean finish.

One of the winemakers making a big difference in Central Otago is Carol Bunn, of Vinpro. Charmian Smith talks to the queen of Central Otago pinot noir.

In late winter the new season's sauvignon blancs bring summer to mind, but this time of year, when the next vintage is being harvested, is when they are drinking their best.

The Waitaki Valley is not the easiest place to grow grapes, Jim Jerram says.