I’m currently in Vancouver at the Vancouver International Wine Festival. Apparently, this is North America’s longest running and largest wine festival. So far it has been really interesting. Each year…
New Zealand Pinot Noir: some favourites from Central Otago and Waitaki
Continuing my round up of top Pinot Noirs from the recent New Zealand trip, here are some favourites from Central Otago, with a couple from North Otago’s Waitaki thrown in…
New Zealand Pinot Noir: top examples from North Canterbury and Martinborough
Continuing with my trawl through the exciting New Zealand Pinot scene, here are some of my favourite wines from North Canterbury (which includes Waipara, Waikiri and the Cheviot Hills) and…
New Zealand Pinot Noir: some top examples from Marlborough
I’ve tasted a lot of New Zealand Pinot Noir over recent weeks. Here are some of my favourite picks from Marlborough. This is New Zealand’s largest wine region, and it…
First impressions matter, with people and with wine
First impressions count. I’m increasingly convinced of this. The first line of a novel. It matters more than it should. The first time you meet someone: this is particularly important….
New Zealand Pinot Gris, a masterclass
Dom Maxwell (Greystone, above left) and Emma Jenkins (above right) presented this masterclass on Pinot Gris from New Zealand. It’s a grape that has been neglected by wine geeks. This…
Pinot Noir: the alchemy of people, place and time
This is a written version of a talk I’m giving today at the Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir celebration. Pinot Noir is the grape variety that seems to inspire the most…
Forage North Canterbury, an amazing food and wine event, with a film
Where does our food come from? I was recently in the Waipara Valley in North Canterbury, to take part in a remarkable event called Forage. There’s a film of…
Some interesting alternative wines from the Waipara: Hermit Ram and Ekleipsis
Tried these interesting Waipara Valley wines over the last few days. The Hermit Ram is made by Theo Coles, who also makes wines for Kalex in Central Otago and Mountford…