Wine times

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.

Today's line-up would have to be called an extravaganza of Central Otago Pinot Noir, as these are wines that don’t cross my path every day.

The age-old dining ritual of the waiter offering you a taste isn’t asking whether you "like" the wine; rather, giving you the opportunity to check whether the wine is suffering from any faults.

Many years ago I remember a debate with a customer at a wine shop.

I continue to appreciate the quality of the Chardonnays being crafted around the country and I’ve been very fortunate this year to taste many wonderful examples.

The Alexandra Basin Wine Growers New Release Tasting in Clyde is a must-do for many wine enthusiasts over Labour Weekend and will be upon us before we know it.

My column in the Fresh Spring Tabloid gave me the opportunity to provide a well-deserved introduction to our four local Dunedin distilleries.

After a five-year gap I leapt at the opportunity to travel to UK/Europe this year.