I’m curious. What do you look for in a wine? Is it power? Concentration? Complexity? Does it matter if it is natural or not? Must it display a sense of…
A brilliant white Beaujolais
Beaujolais is becoming a very interesting wine region. Most of it is red, of course, but here’s a great white example that offers amazing value for money. Jean-Paul Brun Chardonnay…
Lunch at Caravan, Exmouth Market, with Seresin Pinot, Palacios Priorat and Camden Pale Ale
Had a lunch worth commenting on at Caravan in Exmouth Market yesterday. It’s an airy, informal dining room with a menu that focuses on creative small plates, and a cracking, perfectly…
In Auckland with Kumeu River
The final visit of my New Zealand adventure was at Kumeu River, a family-run estate a short drive from Auckland. This is close to where the New Zealand wine industry began in…
What the Wellington Ukulele Orchestra tells us about terroir
On Friday night I went to a strange but enjoyable concert. Neudorf Vineyards in Nelson were hosting a gig by the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra. There were quite a few…
In Martinborough, with Palliser, Ata Rangi and Craggy Range
Three visits in Martinborough, on a Sunday where I could have been playing cricket. An English touring side with connections to the wine trade were playing a Kiwi side, and…
Making sense of Matt Kramer, Pinot Noir 2013 keynote
Pinot Noir kicked off with two contrasting keynote speeches, the first of which was delivered by Matt Kramer of the US publication The Wine Spectator, and author of a string…
More Pinot Noir 2013 people
Pinot Noir 2013 has finished, and I’m exhausted. It was amazing, and I’ll write a lot more about it. For now, some more pictures of the pinot people. Sherwyn Veldhuizen,…