winebarrelnz.blogspot.com
The Wine Barrel: December 2011
http://winebarrelnz.blogspot.com/2011_12_01_archive.html
Neil Hodgson - wine columnist. Friday, December 30, 2011. Christmas – Published 23.12.11. Christmas is here at last. For the little ones it probably seems to take forever to arrive but for me it seems like we have just got over Christmas 2010. With vineyards on the coast at Mariri and having the wines made at Whitehaven in Marlborough by co-owner and winemaker Sam Smail the first couple of vintages have been outstanding. Of course there is nothing better than dipping into the cellar to find a bottle of p...
winebarrelnz.blogspot.com
The Wine Barrel: Champagne – Published 09.12.11
http://winebarrelnz.blogspot.com/2011/12/champagne-published-091211.html
Neil Hodgson - wine columnist. Friday, December 30, 2011. Champagne – Published 09.12.11. I know sparkling wines made in New Zealand in the same style as those from the Champagne region, the home of bubbles in France, are very good and always rate highly in tastings but there is something just a little ethereal about the real thing I just can’t resist. Ju Mannering from Negociants. Juliane Cormier from Eurovintage. Finally Doug Campbell from Vintners. I have been drinking. Variety - Sauvignon Blanc.