This was the headline International Pinot Noir tasting at Pinot Noir 2017 in Wellington. In this session, rather than focus on New Zealand, it was time for the panellists to…
Pinot Palooza: a great consumer Pinot event in Wellington
Yesterday afternoon I popped into Pinot Palooza, a consumer Pinot Noir event that hails from Australia but which has been transplanted to New Zealand for the day before the Pinot…
New Zealand Riesling masterclass, with Andrew Hedley
This masterclass focused on the variety that’s the darling of the trade but which is sadly not loved so much by consumers: Riesling. It was led by Andrew Hedley of…
Albariño: a new grape for New Zealand
There’s a bit of buzz about Albariño in New Zealand. But it’s early days yet: there are currently just 27 hectares in the whole country. Gisborne, where it was first…
The Marlborough Pinot Noir Safari
The Pinot Noir Safari. It’s the second time this has taken place. Various winegrowers take international guests through the back-country and off-road routes, taking in some special vineyards across the…
Two interesting NZ wines at Shop Eight, Christchurch
Had a lovely evening with a few colleagues at Shop Eight in Christchurch. These two wines were really interesting. The alternative face of New Zealand wine. Cambridge Road The Naturalist…
An extensive tasting of Pinot Noir from North Canterbury, New Zealand
North Canterbury is the new-ish term used to describe the vineyard region close to Canterbury, which includes the Waipara Valley. In the couple of days I spent here, I tasted…
Some pictures from Central Otago
The famous view from Rippon, Wanaka Chard Farm’s Gibbston Vineyard and its spectacular setting Apparently this scene features in Lord of the Rings View of Wanaka from the top of…
Central Otago Pinot Noir masterclass, focusing on structure
Lucie Lawrence of Aurum and Grant Taylor of Valli led this masterclass, which was held at Aurum. Also present were Matt Dicey (Mount Difficulty and Ceres), Paul Pujol (Prophet’s Rock)…