Mark Henderson

Wine reviewer Mark Henderson enjoys some rieslings.

Wine reviewer Mark Henderson savours some fresh, crisp rose.

Over nearly three decades of enjoying wine, reviewer Mark Henderson has built up a wine cellar.

Wine reviwer Mark Henderson gets reaquainted with merlot - easy to pronounce and easy to drink.

Today's line-up was a mini "tiki tour'' of several of our more northerly regions, with Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Martinborough, Marlborough and Nelson all getting a look in.

For wine lovers at a loose end this afternoon (yes, today), the inaugural Central Otago Cellar Door Tasting which is part of the four-day Feast Wanaka event, will take place at Edgewater in Wanaka.

Wine reviewer Mark Henderson finds there's much to praise about prosecco.

Choosing a fine wine doesn't always have to cost the earth, Mark Henderson writes. 

Wine reviewer Mark Henderson shares a few gift ideas for the festive season.

On a recent trip overseas, my tasting and drinking was dominated by European wines and in particular, Italian, writes wine expert Mark Henderson.

There is something magical about opening a birth-year wine, Mark Henderson writes.

Mark Henderson taste tests some Central Otago pinot noirs.

For much of my time in wine retail, consumers have had a fondness for Kiwi whites and Aussie reds and there's no doubt that cooler weather and cuddly Aussie shiraz and cabernet do go hand in hand.

Aromatics is a sort of ''catch-all'' term to cover white grape varieties that don't see any oak in their making and in which the aromas are an integral part of the wine, writes wine columnist Mark Henderson.

If climate change becomes more and more of a reality, then one of the winners might be rose, says wine columnist Mark Henderson.

There are many grape varieties that perform well on their home turf but struggle to reach the heights abroad. Chardonnay, by comparison, is the consummate traveller.

Over the years I've lost count of the people who have approached me, sometimes breathlessly or with a conspiratorial wink, to tell me that they have unearthed a treasured, dusty bottle hidden in Granddad's basement.

Pinot noir is never a huge wine, instead it relies on fragrance, finesse and texture to get its message across and this group of wines thoroughly achieved that objective.

Wine tastings can be a fascinating experience and expectations can often go out the window.

Students of Central Otago wines and wine lovers in general will be rubbing their hands with glee at the launch of the inaugural Down to Earth wine event starting at Labour weekend.