A tasting of two halves
A tasting of two halves
After many weeks of tasting alone during lockdown, the shift to Level 2 allowed my old tasting compatriots Messrs Collins and McLaren to sit in once again.
Mark Henderson
Raising a glass to diversity
Raising a glass to diversity
Diversity is a word oft heard nowadays, yet a cursory glance at NZ Winegrowers stats could make you think otherwise.
Easy to overlook northern offerings
Easy to overlook northern offerings
Living in Otago, we are blessed with easy access to a wealth of great pinot noir and, from speaking to wine shop owners over the years, it is clear that our local customer base enjoys ‘‘drinking...
Isolation heightens focus
Isolation heightens focus
Like many of you, I took part in a number of Zoom meetings during lockdown, including wine tastings.
Chardonnay a true peach of a grape
Chardonnay a true peach of a grape
This collection of chardonnays covers the gamut of pricing from widely available value-for-money offerings through to scarce, limited-release bottlings.
Sunshine in a glass
Sunshine in a glass
I was talking to a friend in Central Otago recently, who said that the trees had dropped their leaves and, with their bare branches reaching for the sky, that there was a feeling of the plant world...
Now for something very different
Now for something very different
While unlikely to be found on the shelves of your local super, there's a relatively new category of wine beginning to gain traction in the marketplace. These are ‘‘Orange’’ wines, also known as amber, skin contact or skin fermented wines.
Aromas leap from glass
Aromas leap from glass
After feeling a little autumnal a few weeks back, and dipping my toes into some Hawke’s Bay reds, a glimmer of an Indian summer has sent me back towards the white wines.
Wine, land, stories toasted
Wine, land, stories toasted
Fresh wine columnist Mark Henderson recently attended the 14th Central Otago Pinot Celebration. He tells us about friendships and self-belief.
Savs lead the charge
Savs lead the charge
The term ‘‘essential industry’’ has joined our lexicon in recent weeks with horticulture and viticulture both getting the green light to continue work, providing that social distancing...
Extending the pleasure
Extending the pleasure
One of life’s little pleasures in what are clearly unprecedented times for us all may well be a glass of wine with dinner.
Autumnal turn beckons red wines
Autumnal turn beckons red wines
There is a new addition to the family at our place with the arrival of Dusty the rabbit.
Chardonnay and friends
Chardonnay and friends
Time often creeps up on me and with the calendar having ticked into March, it’s a rude reminder that some of this week’s wines, tasted at the end of last year, are long overdue their moment in the...
Pinot plenty complex
Pinot plenty complex
At the end of January, I was delighted to take part in the Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration.
Finally, rose weather!
Finally, rose weather!
Readers will well understand that this column has a deadline some days before publication.
Flavours to explore
Flavours to explore
The popularity of grape varieties has much to do with their flavours and intrinsic qualities, but another factor also comes into play - that of pronunciation.
The gems from 2017’s harvest
The gems from 2017’s harvest
As mentioned last week, the 2017 harvest proved to be a testing one. Viticulturists and winemakers dealt with significant rain events which damaged some crops in the lead-up to harvest.
Wine-makers overcome challenges
Wine-makers overcome challenges
I always look forward to the annual Gimblett Gravels Dozen selection. I approached the 2017 edition with added interest due to the reputation of the vintage.
2019’s savs are ready
2019’s savs are ready
Regular panellists Mr Collins and Mr McLaren each made resolutions of sorts in 2019 to dabble more widely in sauvignon blancs, seeking out a range of styles from the classically fresh and zesty, to...
Celebrating Central’s small labels
Celebrating Central’s small labels
As you read this, wine lovers, trade, media and people involved in all aspects of the industry (even yours truly) will be flocking to Queenstown for the 2020 Central Otago Pinot Celebration, which...