So I went back to the secret location in Marlborough to connect with the Vandals, taste some wine, and drink gin and tonic, and guzzle beer. This is such a…
Scout Wines, a new Marlborough-based producer
Scout Wines is a bi-locational virtual winery that began life in Australia, but is currently based in New Zealand. It’s a collaboration between partners in life and wine, Sarah Adamson…
Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand (10) Te Awanga Estate
I visited Rod McDonald in his beautifully situated winery in Te Awanga. This is a cool, coastal part of Hawke’s Bay that’s getting quite a reputation for its Chardonnay. Rod…
Serious Kiwi Chardonnay: Neudorf Rosie’s Block 2018
After yesterday’s New Zealand wine seminar in Edinburgh, I was curious to try this wine. It’s the Rosie’s Block Chardonnay from Neudorf, and it’s really good. Neudorf have a deserved…
Beyond Sauvignon Blanc: a New Zealand masterclass
These are my notes from today’s seminar on New Zealand wine, beyond Sauvignon Blanc, held in Edinburgh. These wines were selected by Archie MacDiarmid, who I did the seminar with….
Central Otago (16) Amisfield
There was a storm! Trees fell down! It was supposed to be summer, but this particular Friday night didn’t want to go to plan. Over dinner at Amisfield’s restaurant, a…
Central Otago (15) Domaine Thomson
David and PM Hall-Jones are based in Hong Kong, but have two wineries: one in Central Otago, and the other in Gevrey Chambertin. In Central, they planted 14 hectares of…
Comparing New Zealand and Ontario Pinot Noirs
Yesterday I took part in a really interesting event in Toronto. It brought together 12 Ontario Pinot Noirs with 12 New Zealand Pinots in a blind tasting, and I was…
Sauvignon Blanc: comparing good examples from the Loire and New Zealand
Awareness days. There are just so many of them. Sauvignon Blanc Day is 3rd of May. Whatever you think about these awareness days for grape varieties, this was an…