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Palliser's new look and new brand

by Joelle Thomson

Palliser's new look and new brand

One of Martinborough's oldest wineries has a new winemaker and a new look. Guy McMaster will replace chief winemaker Allan Johnston, who departs a...

Chardonnay in all its glory

by Joelle Thomson

Chardonnay in all its glory

Chardonnay is the third most popular grape in New Zealand, in terms of the number of vines planted, so why has it declined in this country by a ma...

Raymond Chan's pivotal role will be remembered

by Joelle Thomson

Raymond Chan's pivotal role will be remembered

I wrote this obituary this morning for Raymond Chan, who was my friend, my mentor and a man who played a pivotal role in championing wine and its ...

Joel Watson - Martinborough's maverick winemaker

by John Shearlock

Joel Watson - Martinborough's maverick winemaker

Joel Watson is a winemaker on a mission. Having made wine around the world, he knew it would take something special to get him back to NZ, and the ...

French, fresh and forgotten... we discover a new wine in our warehouse...

by Joelle Thomson

French, fresh and forgotten... we discover a new wine in our warehouse...

French, fresh and forgotten... These three words describe Chenin Blanc at the best of times but this week they took on a whole new meaning here at ...

Burgundy revealed... and our sale

by Joelle Thomson

Burgundy revealed... and our sale

Is climate change having an effect on one of the world’s smallest, highest priced and, arguably, most revered wine region? Burgundy is the smallest...

Lower on alcohol, bigger on good taste

by Joelle Thomson

Lower on alcohol, bigger on good taste

If you had to name three big buzzwords in wine circles today, what would you say? Lower alcohol, organic and biodynamic are the first to spring to ...

Sip, savour and cycle... and drink a great dry aged Riesling

by Joelle Thomson

Sip, savour and cycle... and drink a great dry aged Riesling

If you've ever heard the old saying that there are no great wines, only great bottles, then hopefully you'll have moved with the times and realised...

The story of Central Otago's 'other' Pinot Noir - bubbles

by Joelle Thomson

The story of Central Otago's 'other' Pinot Noir - bubbles

Austrian winemaker Rudi Bauer was the first to work with a champagne family to make sparkling wine in Central Otago, using the same grape varietie...

Speaking of Sauvignon... it can be complex

by Joelle Thomson

Speaking of Sauvignon... it can be complex

The second International Sauvignon Blanc conference in this country was held in Marlborough in late January this year as a celebration and tasty in...

Liquid Gold - El Dorado Rum Tasting

by John Shearlock

Liquid Gold - El Dorado Rum Tasting

If you're into layers of complexity, not just in the flavour profile of your rum, but in how it was produced - then our El Dorado tasting on Tuesda...

North Canterbury’s Pinot peaks

by Joelle Thomson

North Canterbury’s Pinot peaks

Long hot summers are the stuff of childhood dreams and great vintages – and the best wines from the Waipara Valley gain their great flavours from t...