And one would also add that nothing easy is always good. Such is the case with the evolution of Pinot Noir in New Zealand. Fresh off of a successful workshop on Syrah in Napier, I spent several days in Wellington at a terrific symposium, Pinot Noir 2010. 400 plus delegates attended, all with a unified love of Pinot Noir, and especially NZ Pinot Noir, to examine the state of the state of this amazing grape in this equally amazing country.

Having had the pleasure and privilege of speaking at the previous conference in 2007, I was able to really explore how things have evolved and changed. A few years in the hands of passionate winemakers and viticutiuralists is a proverbial mini-lifetime vis-à-vis what a difference, in this case, only three years can make. Continue reading »

Those of you who follow my blog know that I am rarely one to laundry list out wines that I have tasted and enjoyed over any form of evaluation forum (be it informal like visiting a single winery or more formal such forums as the recent Pinot Noir 2010 in Wellington (New Zealand) a couple of weeks back). That said, I tasted so many noteworthy wines that I thought I’d give you a handful of my favorites, so, without further ado…

Wines of consequence (no 100 point scale from this boy): Continue reading »

Greetings and kia ora from New Zealand! I spoke this past week at a Syrah workshop in Napier (Hawkes Bay) and will be speaking this week at Pinot Noir 2010 in Wellington. But, as the Pinot event has not yet happened, well, not much to talk about that conference less anticipation and excitement for what’s sure to be a killer few days and a tad of anxious trepidation about speaking on a blind Pinot Noir tasting panel later in the week to be flanked on either side by Oz Clarke and Matthew Jukes. Continue reading »