Wine Showcase
Into The Fold
The Collection
Yalumba’s 2021 Sanctum Cabernet Sauvignon Makes History
Every once in a while, a wine comes along that really grabs your attention—not with some fancy label or over-the-top marketing, but with pure, undeniable quality. Yalumba’s 2021 Sanctum Cabernet Sauvignon is exactly that. Quietly showing up at a big competition, sweeping the awards, and leaving everyone scratching their heads, like, “Wait, how is this […]
Here’s To A Super Safe Bet On A Wine
If you are new to wine, one of the most intimidating things you can do is walk into a wine shop or, more realistically in these days of snap Lockdowns, look online for something to go with dinner. The sheer array of similar-looking bottles with labels that look pretty sexy is overwhelming, but they all […]
The Legacy of Yalumba’s The Signature
It would have been quite a sight, a British migrant Samuel Smith, planting vines under the moonlight 175 years ago but it was that moment that set root for one of the world’s most iconic wine brands and one that is still family-owned six generations on. Derived from the indigenous Australian word meaning “all the […]
Seeking The Exceptional
Some Very Good Names to Remember
What’s in a name? Well, considering many of our given or nicknames, they may seem pretty ordinary and, dare I say it, arbitrary. But there is much more to names than we give them credit for. Even ‘Davo’ from down at the pub has not just got a name, he’s got a great name as […]
Mastering Success
Becoming a Master Sommelier is an intense and exacting process that very few people achieve. Cameron Douglas is New Zealand’s first and only Master Sommelier, a dedicated professional wine and beverage expert. Cameron is well known and respected both here in Aotearoa and abroad. He has judged and presented in the UK, USA, Oceania and […]
The Transcendence Of Terroir
Recently I went to the Central Otago region for a new vehicle launch and a couple of my colleagues were very excited – and not just about driving the new car: ‘Oo, when we get some time off we should go and try some of the local Pinot Noir!’ Of course, I thought that was […]
Channel Your Chanel
Before the Oscars kick off the who’s who in Hollywood converge on the Hollywood Hotel’s Polo Lounge for the Annual Pre-Oscar dinner hosted by Chanel and Charles Finch. The crowd is star studded, as well as diamond studded thanks to the drip provided by Chanel. Chanel’s love affair with the stars stretches right back to […]
Camper road trip – Have time, will travel
I’ve got nothing booked this weekend and it’s been a long time since I’ve been to the South Island of New Zealand. Nothing like a spot of last minute travel! I’ve always fancied a motorhome trip so I book a rather large one all for myself. Saturday The pick-up point is near Christchurch Airport, that’s […]
Choosing Your Perfect Digs in Central Otago
There are only two questions you need to ask yourself before you go to Central Otago; why am I not there already? And where am I going to stay? The first question is completely valid as Central Otago is fast becoming the go to destination in New Zealand for any kind of holiday but especially […]
Cellar
The Secret Everyone Now Knows
Have you tried the Alma or Estate Pinot Noirs from Te Mata? If you haven’t well, we’ll let you off with a warning – this time only – as they are relatively new to the market having only made their debut a couple of years ago before stunning the wine-drinking world with the sumptuous ’19 […]
Coleraine Leads The Bidding
The recent pandemic reaction closed borders all over the world removing global travel as an outlet option for discretionary income. This has meant people with means have had to look elsewhere for something to spend the money they had budgeted for experiential consumption as opposed to those funds earmarked for developing more purely financial returns. […]
It Was A Very Good Year
When I was 17, it was a very good year It was a very good year for small town girls And soft summer nights We’d hide from the lights On the village green When I was 17 So sung Frankie Sinatra back in… well, let’s just say it was a long time ago. In this […]
Time To Celebrate 30 Years Of Bullnose Success
Syrah is a typically fruity and peppery red wine usually in a dark colour and with a strong tannic mouthfeel. Popular all over the world, it is somewhat confusingly called ‘Shiraz’ in some parts – especially Australia. This is despite the ‘Syrah/Shiraz’ grape having nothing to do with its namesake city in Persia; as […]
Experience The Jewels In The Crown Of NZ Reds
If you have something of great value you put it somewhere safe where it won’t get lost, and if you haven’t got an actual safe then you use a jewelbox. These can be ornate – even bejewelled themselves – but more importantly, they only contain items of very top quality. That is the philosophy behind […]
A Flavour to Savour
There are two kinds of people in the world; those that like sweet, and those that like savoury. I definitely prefer to enjoy the umami delights that foods like mushrooms and game can deliver over the pleasures of chocolate every day of the week (and twice on Sundays!) Plus, if you are like me and […]