Back in January I visited the mind-boggling Yealands Estate, a vineyard the size of an entire appellation in Marlborough’s Awatere Valley. They’re making some nice wines, including this very Alsatian…
Framingham’s F-Series TBA, one of the world’s great Rieslings
I had a lot of fun at yesterday’s Great Riesling tasting in London. There were so many good wines. But of all, perhaps my favourite (of many lovely wines) was…
Marlborough: boom, bust, and boom again
Boom and bust. Then boom again. That has been the recent story of Marlborough. The commercial success of Marlborough Sauvignon led to a massive increase in plantings throughout the late…
Two impressive Sauvignons: Bordeaux and Marlborough
I know that it’s not all that cool, but I really love Sauvignon Blanc. Here are two good ones: an oaked Bordeaux example (which is actually a blend with Semillon…
In Marlborough, day 3, my last in New Zealand
The last day of my New Zealand trip turned out to be a very good one. It began at Te Whare Ra, a small 11 hectare vineyard planted in 1979,…
A second day in Marlborough, New Zealand
So day 2 in New Zealand’s most important wine region. Lots to be done, beginning with a regional tasting held at Spy Valley, a winery located in the lower Waihopai…
The Marlborough wine region, day 1
Leaving Waipara behind, after an all-too-short sleep, it was time to head to Blenheim on a 19-seat Beechcraft. I had the best part of three days in this, New Zealand’s…
Lunch with Pol, Cloudy, Lapierre, Jamet, Clair and Bachelet
Popped round for lunch at brother-in-law Beavington’s pad yesterday, which usually means that between us we’ll have something decent to drink. (In the process, I also very nobly assist him…
A brilliant Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc
One of my favourite New Zealand Sauvignons: Dog Point. In the 2013. Such a super wine, representing the best of Marlborough typicity, I reckon. Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc 2013 Marlborough,…