Kumeu River winery invites wine writers to taste its latest releases each November and the tasting and accompanying lunch is a highly sought after ticket. It is an opportunity not to be missed as I discovered, not just for the chance to taste through one of NZ’s best winery’s offerings but also to enjoy Melba…
Ferment, February 2009
In the last couple of months I’ve opened countless bottles of wine, mainly for friends and family. Mindful of the glorious weather, the demand hasn’t been for complex, interesting older bottles but for fruity, fresh New Zealand whites, which we’ve drunk outside on the deck, by the beach or over dinner. And without fail there…
TinPot Hut
On a flight to London last month, I sat next to a lady who told me her favourite Sauvignon Blanc was from Marlborough and called Tinpot Hut. (It was a bit embarrassing to admit that I had never heard of it). Fast forward three weeks and I am back in Auckland catching up on my…
Ferment, April 2008
There has been much discussion recently about the merits and motivation of those wineries submitting multiple single vineyard (or similar) bottlings to wine shows with the implication being that they are merely chasing medals (which is a bit disingenuous really as surely this is the very raison d’être of wine shows?). However, there is a…
2015 Trinity Hill Homage
When Warren Gibson said he thought the 2015 was a Goldilocks wine I thought it meant the best food match was porridge. In my defence I’m blaming my stupidity on the stress of running a WSET Level 3 exam that morning and a blistering hot day in Hawkes Bay.En route back to the airport it…
IWM October 2007
Clearview Estate, Bilancia, Cable Bay, Waipara Hills . . . . . .
IWM August 2007
Julicher, Jackson Estate, Pegasus Bay, Framingham . . . .
IWM July 2007
Spy Valley Envoy, Valli, Te Awa, Saint Clair . . . .
IWM June 2007
de Vogue, Penfolds, The Ned, Vavasour, Craggy Range . . .
IWM March 2007
Sacred Hill, Cloiudy Bay, Matua, Rippon, Nautilus . . .
IWM January 2007
Esk Valley, Escarpment, Clayridge, Thornbury . . . .