Here are a few of the wines that have passed the desk this month and almost made the grade. Some weren't far off the mark, others are absolute disasters. A few big disappointments of note: The …
Following on from the Chardonnay and Riesling hits of the summer, it's only fair that the other most popular grape at Graham HQ get's a post too. Below then is a list of the 22 Pinot …
Neudorf Rosie's Block Chardonnay 2016 Another great release under this label from Nelson's Neudorf. Handpicked, whole bunch pressed, wild ferment in barrel, 10 months on full lees in barrel. While many Australian Chardies continue to trend leaner …
Neudorf Rosie's Block Chardonnay 2015 I've always found it curious that NZ Chardonnay is so often forgotten, sitting well back in the pecking order behind Sauv Blanc, Pinot Noir and even Pinot Gris. But after chatting to …
It's that time again. The following wines didn't quite make it onto the full site this month, and I'm still living out of a suitcase to complicate matters. Yelland & Papps Devote Roussanne 2015 Greenock Roussanne eh? Yelland …
The tasting of the year is back again. By my count this is at least the fourth, possibly fifth time I've been to one of Voyager Estate's annual masterclasses and, again, it remains one of the …
Stoke Bomber Kiwi Pale Ale KPA (Nelson, NZ) 5.5% Source: Retail www.stokebeer.co.nz This being holiday time and notably warm and steamy, I'm drinking a large quantity of beers this week. The intention is to try and drink as widely …
BEER: Stoke Amber Brewed in sunny Nelson by the McCashin family. 'Tank conditioned' over three weeks too. The question remains about tank vs bottle conditioning but this looks pretty smart. Creamy. A rich and creamy amber this …
Neudorf Moutere PinotCracking stuff Superb Pinot: Neudorf Moutere Pinot Noir 2007Neudorf Moutere Pinot Noir 2007 (Nelson, NZ)14.1%, Screwcap, $140 on the Arras wine listSource: Wine listwww.neudorf.co.nz My birthday was last week (happy birthday to me) and as …
The Wellington Diaries: Day 1 - Wellingtonian life Yes that is a table and chairs on the verandah there... I recently had the pleasure of an entertaining (or I was entertained at least) long weekend in Wellington, …
Mount Riley Pinot Noir 2008 (Marlborough/Nelson, NZ)$20, Screwcap, 13.5%Just a quick note on this one as it was tasted rather quickly, in passing almost, so no time for a hard core, wine wankerish deconstruction, though …
Old Coach Road Pinot Noir 2007 (Nelson, NZ) Screwcap, $20Cheap, tasty Pinot. The search for the holy grail continues. This is a good start - Its a little tart, but it has some proud Pinosity.Clean, …
At 18 I started working in a small suburban bottleshop, largely to buy cheap beer. It was my first year of university, doing a degree that I didn't really like, and a liquor shop seemed like fun. Needless to say I discovered wine, my uni degree morphed into something completely different and wine/beer took over my life.
Almost twenty years later and I currently spend my days wearing many (wine) hats, mostly as a writer, presenter and marketer.
While wearing my writer cap I write features for the likes of National Liquor News, Gourmet Traveller WINE and the RAS plus I'm a Lifestyle FOOD channel wine expert. Read more about me here or get in touch to book your next wine event with me here.