Wine times

A wine writer and moderator of a wine forum in the UK recently posed the question about wines moving in and out of fashion.

If you haven’t heard of NOLO wines then you certainly will, as the "no or lo alcohol" category seems to be burgeoning.

Regular readers will know my fondness for tasting and drinking widely so today’s wonderful selection was right up my alley.

Modern DNA testing of grapes has unlocked the mysteries behind many varieties, helping to isolate parent/offspring connections and give greater understanding of their origins.

If variety is the spice of life, then hopefully today’s varied selection is the touch of seasoning you’re after.

Well and truly slipping back into the saddle, so to speak, as I get back into tasting mode after a rather pleasing break over the holiday season.

Welcome to part two of my riesling double-header, where we explore some of the sweeter styles, although calling them "sweet" overlooks the intensity of flavour and marvellous sugar-acid...

My trusty helpers sat down with me recently to taste through two flights of Riesling, which I’ll present for you all as a double header.

The day I tasted this delicious sextet of wines followed a succession of warm days.

Regular readers will know that Pinot Gris is not my favourite grape variety: I enjoy it, but don’t reach for it as often, though I do recognise the importance of it in the marketplace.

Jack be nimble states the nursery rhyme and this time of year appreciates being nimble on the wine front too.

I normally submit a couple of columns before Christmas in advance of the relaunch of the Fresh section in January, so that everything can be tidy and ready once people return from holiday.

Christmas has come rushing towards me at breakneck speed: I had an idea in my mind that I had a few Wednesday columns to introduce you all to new wines, only to realise crikey, that’s not the case!

I found myself walking up the street one recent bottle collection morning and couldn’t resist a few furtive glances into the bottle bins to see what made up the empties.

Split Enz sang that "history never repeats", but I doubt Dunedin-born Dr Stanley Paris told himself that before he went to sleep.

I’m sometimes asked if I feel we’ve reached “peak rosé” - whether the wave of interest in this wine style has reached its crest and begun to taper off.

I’ve had a few columns recently that have pushed the boat out price-wise, so a visit to the "bread and butter" wine aisles at the supermarket seemed long overdue.

I spent a night in Christchurch recently and ticked a box that was well overdue.

The 2023 New World Wine Awards Top 50 launched to much fanfare in early October: to recap, this competition is focused solely on wines selling for $25 or less.