I love Bordeaux style wines and Hawkes Bay is the Bordeaux of the Southern Hemisphere. A classic Bordeaux blend and, in true form of what we have come to expect of Mills Reef, this really is a good wine. Bob Campbell recently listed it as one of his buys of the week and […]
Poderi Crisci on Waiheke Island, the brain child of Antonio Crisci, specialises in super Tuscan wines, based on Bordeaux-blends with handpicked grapes exclusively from their own vines. These wines have been inspired by the granddaddy of super Tuscan wine the Sassicaia – a wine that breaks from the need for appellation or DOCG (labelled wines […]
This Reserve Rosé is crafted entirely from Merlot grapes grown in the renowned Gimblett Gravels during what was another exceptional year in Hawkes Bay. Different in presentation from your typical Rosé, quite dark in colour with vibrant fruit characters along with excellent structure that this vineyard can express. This pioneer release single-vineyard Rosé is crafted in […]
Meaning “smoky river” in Maori, the Opawa vineyard is located on the old river bed of the historic Opawa River in Marlborough. While Marlborough is well known for producing some of the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world, it now has a growing reputation for producing some of New Zealand’s best Pinot Noirs too. What […]
Postage Stamp Genevieve 2016 Rosé is a seductive Waiheke Island Rosé which is made exclusively with Syrah grapes from the View East Vineyard. As an avid wine enthusiast, entrepreneur Andrew Barnes decided to join the Waiheke wine making community and create his own wine label. The brand is called Postage Stamp, reflecting the small size […]
The Crossroads Winemakers Collection includes the very best parcels of fruit, carefully selected from their own vineyards, crafted with passion into the most exceptional wines, Hawke’s Bay has to offer. Exceptional growing conditions have delivered an outstanding Chardonnay in true Hawkes Bay/Bordeaux style. This single vineyard wine from grapes grown on the sunny terraces of […]
Previously known as their ‘Prestige’ range, the Allan Scott Family have rebranded their premium offering under the name ‘Generations’ – a tribute to the fact that they now have three generations of the Scott family working at the winery. Having first planted in 1975, the winery has built its reputation on great value Sauvignon Blancs in […]
Mills Reef winery was established in 1989 by the Preston family in Tauranga, the winery has its roots in the Kiwifruit business producing Kiwi fruit wine for the Japanese market. They have grown and changed from those days moving to traditional wines with the bulk of their vineyards in Hawkes Bay and specialising in Bordeaux […]
While most people know Marlborough for it’s reputation for creating some of the best Sauvignon Blanc wines in the world, Marlborough also has a long history of producing some of our best Chardonnays too. Slightly more citric than their cousins in the north, the different climate and terroir produce wine with hints of peach and […]
Peter Yealands is an interesting brand. Having planted their first vines in the Marlborough less than a decade ago, this brand has grown to be one of the largest producers of Sauvignon Blanc in the country and one of the largest wineries too. World leaders in sustainable winegrowing, Yealands is still partly owned by Peter […]
If you are looking for a good quality New Zealand bubbles then look no further. Brand new on the market and with a soft effervescence and light creamy finish, aged on lees for up to 5 years, this cuvée delivers great value and great taste.. Using 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir grapes from vineyards […]
As we move into the warmer seasons we start to enjoy a little more of the outdoors while the sun shines. We are all looking forward to long lunches and balmy summer nights after a long cold winter. In order to last the distance though, it is worth considering some of the lower alcohol alternatives […]
The Spy Valley 2016 Pinot Noir Rose was an interesting Pinot Noir and delivered something quite unexpected. Made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes adopting traditional methods of whole cluster pressing to 90% of the juice with the remainder drained off skins immediately after harvest. The result is that beautiful pale rose colour of a typical French […]
From Cotes Du Rhones to Bangkok to Auckland: Asian Fusion trend heralds the arrival of Thai wine to NZ Thailand is not a place we think of when it comes to producing wines. In fact, until now I did not think it was possible to grow grapes in country that is so warm and with […]
This July is the time to give up alcohol for the benefit of others, with funds being raised for cancer patients through the alcohol free campaign Dry July. The money raised will help raise funds and awareness for cancer patients, with Dry July envisioning to improve the environments and services they receive, easing the burdens […]
Spy Valley 2014 Chardonnay I think one of the first white wines I ever tried was a Marlborough Chardonnay. Back then the main grape variety grown in the Marlborough region was Chardonnay. Big buttery styled Chardonnays that became one of the hallmarks of the 80’s. Tastes change though and with the massive success of Sauvignon […]
Up until now my knowledge of Italian wines has been fairly limited. Catching up with Antonio Crisci recently took me to the metaphorical heart of Tuscany and gave me some amazing insights into what makes a great Italian wine. Driving out to Poderi Crisci you can’t help but be impressed by the warmth and overwhelming […]
