The Wandering Palate Shanghai correspondent toasts Sir George Fistonich and Villa Maria, New Zealand, 50th Anniversary in style. Read More >
I wrote this piece for a Singapore magazine although it never made it to print. The editors wanted to change things, even though it covered the brief to the letter, and I refused to change things.
Did I tell you how much I dislike editors! They are an antibiotic for creativity; a writer’s condom and its strictly missionary position only. It’s a strange interpretation of the English language, in Singapore, where newspapers and magazines for the adult audience are written in primary school prose. Read More >
Continuing our sneak previews of the 2012 New Zealand grape harvest, I asked Kai Schubert at Schubert Winery in Martinborough how the vintage looks, to which he replied, “We are still picking!” Read More >
With the southernmost wine regions in the world, the New Zealand grape harvest is in full swing with some vineyards almost completely through vintage (late ripening varieties like riesling will be picked throughout May) and many vignerons are breathing a sigh of relief, with ferments finished and the anxiety levels subsiding. Read More >
3 Individual Vineyard Cuvees from the 2009 Vintage:
Morrison Vineyard – Lowburn
Muirkirk Pinot Noir – Bannockburn
Stevens Vineyard – Gibbston Read More >
When leading American wine writer, author and philosophical commentator, Matt Kramer, visited Singapore last year the first thing he asked me was to bring him up to speed on the dynamics of the market and given his time constraints, he would like to meet the one person who is influencing the market here most, “The gatekeeper to the evolution of wines styles and trends, the evangelist of the wine culture, the inspirer of thirst.” Read More >
My approach to wine is I believe, much the same as most of us who actually drink the stuff and that is to be largely influenced by the mood or the food and level of thirst. Instinctively I consult my onboard computer first, listening to my emotions and as I am habitually obsessed with food it is normally the dictator of what wine I would like to drink. Read More >
Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir Prima Donna 2009 – Waipara Valley, South Island, New Zealand
Also notes from a vertical tasting
Having already announced Pegasus Bay Prima Donna Pinot Noir 2009 as the “Most Auspicious Wine for Chinese New Year 2012 Year of the Black Water Dragon year”, I had in fact already singled it out as my “Red Wine of the Year”, so impressed by its sheer profoundness and energy, yet harmonious elegance. Read More >
Most Auspicious Wine for Chinese New Year 2012
Year of the Black Water Dragon year
Pegasus Bay Prima Donna Pinot Noir 2009 – Waipara, South Island, New Zealand
What auspicious vinous attributes should we be looking for in the year of Black Water Dragon?
Pictures just through from our good friends Paul and Ruth Pretty Ruth Pretty, guru caterers and legendary hosts to the stars (and royalty) www.ruthpretty.co.nz celebrating Christmas at their property, Springfield, on the Kapiti Coast, New Zealand
