Mark Henderson

It's always a pleasure to applaud local successes and Dunedin Craft Distillery is buzzing after their results at the 2023 London Spirits Competition.

There is often debate in wine circles as to whether change is a good thing.

A bit of a double header in the works as I catch up on some sauvignon blanc samples that are due their time in the sun.

Could Miley Cyrus be a secret Riesling fan?

Today's column includes both the well-known and less well-known.

A little while ago I did a "double-header" of sorts with two columns featuring the wines from the Gimblett Gravels dozen.

Readers may note that I recently slipped an interloper (quelle horreur!) into a line-up of pinot noirs with the addition of a gamay.

The Beatles line "I get by with a little help from my friends" may be appropriate today as a Gamay completed a tasting flight with a group of Central Pinot Noirs.

A spot of aromatherapy today, highlighting two trios of what are often dubbed aromatic varieties, with some of the wines flaunting a touch of sweetness.

Talk to a viticulturist or winemaker and their eyes will light up at the variations in aroma, flavour and mouth-feel that different sites offer.

Gimblett Gravels winegrowers reported a "textbook perfect" and remarkably early growing season in 2020.

I eagerly look forward to the Gimblett Gravels Dozen: this 13th rendition marks the second in a trio of wonderful vintages with my high expectations being met.

I’m writing this from Takaka in the far north west of the South Island, though the wines were tasted just before Christmas.

Living and working in the south of the country, I don’t get to see Hawke’s Bay wines as much as I do those from Central, so it was quite a treat looking forward to a range of Syrahs.

While I enjoy bubbly in all its guises, I must admit to it being a wine style I don’t drink all that often.

The rosé category is fast growing, with many, many wineries upping production to meet demand.

The November and early December weather didn’t exactly shine with the promise of warm, sunny evenings where you’d want to fire up the BBQ, but I remain hopefully optimistic.