Category Archives: Wine varietals and blends

Tasting notes and blogs relating to specific varietals or blends

‘Greener’ wine steals the show at Go Green Expo

At the Go Green Expo in Wellington I was not expecting to encounter one of the country’s most well known brands, served by the founder and winemaker himself. Konrad Hengstler of the famed Konrad Wines (pictured) was serving his range … Continue reading

Posted in Adelaide Hills, Grüner veltliner, New World wine, NZ wine, Sauvignon blanc, South Australian wine, Wine varietals and blends | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Waipara wine region punches far above its weight

This gallery contains 25 photos.

Waipara Valley is a small wine-producing area in the South Island of New Zealand, which punches far above its weight in terms of quality and renown. The wines I tried were in the range of good to excellent, with some … Continue reading

More Galleries | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Clearview at Vivo – a delightful tongue twister!

At a Clearview Estate tasting at Vivo wine bar in Wellington, I was so spoiled for choice that I couldn’t narrow down my favourite wines to fewer than six! Several more were contenders, and not all of the winery’s range … Continue reading

Posted in Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, New World wine, NZ wine, South Australian wine, Wine varietals and blends | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Uncorked in Cuba! A hedonistic blend of NZ and Europe

My Wellingtonian compatriots will be well acquainted with the bustling, lively and eclectic Cuba Street in Wellington, where you can find all manner of goodies – bars, groovy cafés, funky clothes, the bucket fountain, nick-nack shops, hedonistic treats… On a … Continue reading

Posted in Chardonnay, European wine, Gewurztraminer, New World wine, NZ wine, Pinot noir | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Do not forget this name! West Brook the western winery with wicked wines

West Brook winery may not have a particularly memorable name but once you have visited the stunning and serene setting and tasted the wines you will not want to forget it! Check out the beautiful setting of vineyards, rolling hills … Continue reading

Posted in Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, New World wine, NZ wine, Pinot noir | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Tigs and wine in the land of the long white cloud…

Dear Tig readers Here I am back in NZ! This country sparked my love for wine so I think it is appropriate to give my readers some bite-sized facts about NZ wine. (Sources and more detailed statistics at the end … Continue reading

Posted in Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, New World wine, NZ wine, Pinot noir, Sauvignon blanc | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Chocolate and wine? Two rights make a right!

A farewell treat before leaving Adelaide was to take the ChocoVino experience at Hahndorf Hill Winery in the Adelaide Hills with my good friend Anne. We all love chocolate and we all love wine – but why pair them? And … Continue reading

Posted in Adelaide Hills, Grüner veltliner, New World wine, South Australian wine | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Tigs’ pick of wines to buy in Adelaide

Bon voyage Tigs! Any tips? As I prepare to leave Australia after seven years, friends in Adelaide are asking me which wines I think are the best of the bunch that they can buy here. I believe this is a … Continue reading

Posted in Adelaide Hills, Barossa wine, Cabernet sauvignon, Chardonnay, European wine, Gewurztraminer, Grenache, Langhorne Creek wine, McLaren Vale wine, New World wine, NZ wine, Old World Wine, Pinot noir, riesling, Sauvignon blanc, South Australian wine, Syrah/Shiraz, Wine varietals and blends | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Welcome to the Marquis – a goldmine in the heart of wine country

Wandering around the streets of Adelaide near the iconic Central Market on Gouger Street I happened across a new icon – the Marquis. Glancing inside I was stunned by the sight of the wine wall stretching down the middle of … Continue reading

Posted in Barossa wine, Chardonnay, European wine, McLaren Vale wine, New World wine, NZ wine, Old World Wine, Pinot noir, riesling, South Australian wine, Syrah/Shiraz, Wine varietals and blends | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Wine and friend pairing! Clarendon Hills Brookman Syrah and the Brook man from Clarendon

My birthday this year was special – not for turning another year older, but for the kindness and inspiration shown to me by someone I recently met. Basic human goodness can be more beautiful than any wine – even a Clarendon Hills! … Continue reading

Posted in Adelaide Hills, South Australian wine, Syrah/Shiraz | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments