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• Churton Wines - New Releases

  Perhaps a few years ago I would have enjoyed a glass or two and then been tempted to drive but the older I become, the less tolerant I am of this position. I am coming to the realisation that there really isn't any wine, however fabulous, that would tempt me to risk the lives of my family. Or myself come to think of it.
  

  by Jane Skilton on 28 July 2010
  
  

• Neudorf's 30th Birthday

  An invitation to a 30th Birthday lunch with Tim and Judy Finn, owners of Neudorf Wines and John Kavanagh their winemaker, was one of those that come along once in a blue moon. To taste the latest releases would be carrot enough, but the older vintages too? I was off up Mt Eden Road as fast as my legs could carry me and arrived at the French Cafe simply bursting with excitement.
  

  by Jane Skilton on 18 July 2010
  
  

• Streamlining the Website

  In an effort to make things simpler, we have abandoned the multitudinous categories and now have only three; articles I write, articles Emma writes and the Independent Wine Monthly that we write together. Onwards!
  

  by Jane Skilton on 22 June 2010
  
  

• Framingham F Series - A White Riot

  I'd like to think I can recognise the smell of a two stroke engine but I would have needed the nostrils of a bloodhound to find my way through the labyrinth corridors. I got there eventually and, as my eyes grew accustomed to the gloom, I found myself in a semi-lit warehouse, all the motorbikes removed but in their place, some cove playing contemporary jazz.
  

  by Jane Skilton on 19 June 2010
  
  

• International Chardonnay Challenge - a few photos

  In Gisborne for a few days chairing the 2010 International Chardonnay Challenge. A few photos from the competition. David Bailey I am not . . .
  

  by Jane Skilton on 27 May 2010
  
  

• A couple of oldies but goldies

  After an unrelenting feast of brand new wines, it came as something of a relief this weekend to open a couple of older bottles. Nothing rare or expensive, just a bottle kindly brought by dinner guests and another found in a forgotten box unearthed whilst tidying the cellar.
  

  by Jane Skilton on 16 May 2010
  
  

• Elephant Hill Winery : a brace of syrah

  Since returning from the Hawke's Bay Syrah Symposium in January, I have spent a bit of time pondering on the emerging style of NZ syrah. It was certainly clear from the comments of overseas journalists (especially the UK ones) they regarded NZ syrah, especially from Waiheke and HB, as the next 'big thing'.
  

  by Jane Skilton on 7 April 2010
  
  

• Thoughts on Champagne

  When my husband asked, innocently, if I would mind removing myself and our two very small children from the house so he could watch the 1999 Rugby World Cup semi final in peace, I found myself looking at him through new eyes. Could it be that rugby was more important than family ?
  

  by Jane Skilton on 29 March 2010
  
  

• Dry River Tasting : 2007 - 2004

  Wedged in the dickie seat in Bob's new convertible Saab, I survived narrow decapitation, certain death and total humiliation. It would be an understatement to say I was feeling hassled by the time we got to Martinborough.
  

  by Jane Skilton on 17 March 2010
  
  

• Tastings at the Beach - Part Three : Bellbird Spring

  Bellbird Spring is a new winery from Waipara who, according to the website, released a single wine in 2008 and have followed up in 2009 with three new additions to the range. . . .
  

  by Jane Skilton on 25 February 2010
  
  

• Tastings at the Beach - Part Two : Man O'War

  From the 2008 vintage, a new winemaker, Duncan McTavish, lately of Waipara Springs, has taken up the reins. I heard McTavish speak at the first 'In Praise of Riesling' celebration and he was an ebullient, passionate speaker, the sort of chap who I am sure, wouldn't let a small microbial infection get in the way of things.
  

  by Jane Skilton on 25 January 2010
  
  

• 2006 Aurora Syrah, Bendigo

  When Frederic Engerer hosts your birthday party, serves all five 1959 First Growths (including Latour in Marie Jeanne), a paltry bottle of Cru Bourgeois bought in Auckland really isn't going to cut the mustard.
  

  by Jane Skilton on 19 January 2010
  
  

• An interesting observation ?

  All from the 2007 vintage, a Jadot Bourgogne Blanc, a Jadot Chassagne Montrachet and a Duc de Magenta Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Monopole Clos de la Chapelle showed exactly how stepping up the quality ladder in Burgundy does not have to mean lashings more oak.
  

  by Jane Skilton on 14 January 2010
  
  

• Tastings at the Beach - Part One : Trinity Hill

  A sparkling wine ? From Trinity Hill ? Well, no wine style is immune to the winemaking charms of one J. Hancock Esq., a man who seems to delight in exploring as many of Europe's grape varieties as he can.
  

  by Jane Skilton on 11 January 2010
  
  

• A brilliant start to 2010

  The people in the next tent had a dustbuster and meticulously hoovered out the tent each day but I abandoned any pretence of housework at the first hurdle. Our meals were cooked on a small two ring burner which meant nothing complicated.
  

  by Jane Skilton on 5 January 2010
  
  

• 2008 Seresin Estate Raupo Pinot Gris

  Anyone who has enjoyed a bottle of Livio Felluga Pinot Grigio or Domaine Weinbach Pinot Gris Altenbourg Cuvée Laurence would scoff at those who seem keen to dismiss the variety out of hand.
  

  by Jane Skilton on 9 December 2009
  
  

• Morning Tea, McLaren Vale style

  Emma, who doesn't usually drink coffee, agreed to have a cup (hopeful perhaps of its reputed digestive qualities) and was asked if she took milk. When she said that she did, Vicky produced a huge bottle of malt whisky and proceeded to fill the cups to the brim. As Emma commented in the car on the way home, she probably drinks coffee and whisky once a year, but rarely at the same meal and never in the same cup.
  

  by Jane Skilton on 1 December 2009
  
  

• PR Piffle

  I appreciate that winemaking is a full time job and most don't have lots of spare time to email all and sundry, but personal contact, however small, can make all the difference to a wine writer looking for a story.
  

  by Jane Skilton on 10 November 2009
  
  

• A visitor from New Zealand....

  A recent trip to the Napa was a fascinating look at a small wine region that punches well above its weight in reputation and quality. Sound familiar? Well yes, but that is about where any similarities between New Zealand and Napa end.
  

  by Emma Jenkins on 8 November 2009
  
  

• Marlborough Wine Weekend

  I am beginning to think that it is their country's unique climate that gives New Zealanders their laid back, can-do anything attitude. Any nationality that can deal with heatwaves, monsoon rains, hurricane force winds, snowstorms and frosts, often in the same day, must take a philosophical approach to life.
  

  by Jane Skilton on 2 November 2009
  
  

• October 2009 Independent Wine Monthly now online

  The last Babich wine I tasted was an extremely ordinary Viognier (reviewed in an earlier IWM) and I certainly wouldn't have rushed to try any of the other whites in the portfolio.
  

  by Jane Skilton on 27 October 2009
  
  

• A brace of whites to cheer up a very dark day

  But now the bathroom looked as though I had had some sort of fit whilst squeezing a tube of toothpaste. Sealant everywhere and in wiggly lines.
  

  by Jane Skilton on 25 October 2009
  
  

• Silky and subtle not gritty and gigantic

  Often wines with glorious aromas and impressive ripe fruit characters were spoiled by enormous levels of dry, grippy tannin that completely threw the wine out of balance. It was difficult to know who the winemakers thought would be drinking these particularly huge beasties. Why craft a red that has so much tannin ?
  

  by Jane Skilton on 9 October 2009
  
  

• Hawke's Bay Pinot Noir - a winner ??

  His feathers were ruffled when Emma queried whether Hawke's Bay would ever make really good pinot noir. To say he froze her with a glance would be an understatement.
  

  by Jane Skilton on 6 October 2009
  
  

• Marlborough Part Two - Churton

  As we made our way up the drive, I could see Emma was in seventh heaven. A lover of the rural life, she enjoys a bucolic existence in Taupo though I suspect (but have never confirmed) that she would prefer to live somewhere remoter still. By the time we exited the Toyota she had taken in the farmland, dog, farmhouse and vineyards and was almost misty eyed.
  

  by Jane Skilton on 5 October 2009
  
  

• Marlborough Part One - Clos Henri

  Straight onto the teeny plane to Blenheim which, amazingly, did not ditch into the Cook Strait but carried us into Marlborough, thence the hire car and off into town. In celebration of my first alcohol free flight (since the age of 17 anyway) we pulled out all the stops, had a strong latte (me), pot of Earl Grey (Emma) and pieces of toast (both) and were soon winding our way through Renwick and onto Clos Henri.
  

  by Jane Skilton on 24 September 2009
  
  

• A Celebration in Taupo

  The more I drink/taste/judge Champagne, the more I am convinced that it is a 'time and place' wine. There seems to be little point in making definitive judgements when there are so many variables at play;
  

  by Jane Skilton on 22 September 2009
  
  

• An evening with some emerging stars . . .

  Rather like London buses, you wait ages for an invitation and then two turn up at once. Unfortunately I had to turn down the opportunity to taste some 2008 wines from Waitaki because I was presenting a tasting to a group of individuals.
  

  by Jane Skilton on 31 July 2009
  
  

• A decade of winemaking at Villa Maria

  The latest mailer from the Villa Maria wine club was titled "Blast from the Past" and offered a chance to taste some aged wines. I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to go along and get a snapshot of how the wines develop in bottle . . . .
  

  by Jane Skilton on 28 July 2009
  
  

• The end of a long, long week . . . .

  By Sunday evening I was prepared to break the other arm. His self inflicted injury now meant I was responsible for all household chores. Having made the fire (usually his job), and making a decent fist of it I thought, he appeared behind to offer useful suggestions. It was all I could do not to brain him with the fire poker.
  

  by Jane Skilton on 20 July 2009
  
  

• 2008 Pegasus Bay Bel Canto Riesling

  Unable to get to the cellar door which had been barricaded up by Colin the Builder's impressive array of power tools, I had to look closer to home . . .
  

  by Jane Skilton on 8 July 2009
  
  

• The relaunch of the Independent Wine Monthly website

  A flurry of posting as our website is relaunched. Can we sustain the blistering pace we have set ourselves?
  

  by Jane Skilton on 6 July 2009
  
  

• Proof that not all wines taste the same . . . .

  Having ruminated for some time, we decided to take 1 Champagne, 2 whites, 2 reds and 2 sweet wines, just the right amount for a party of four. And the first two wines were so complete that quite honestly I could have stopped drinking there and then . . . .
  

  by Jane Skilton on 1 July 2009
  
  

• Third time lucky - top marks for perseverance to Jackson Estate

  Towards the middle of May I got in touch (didn't want to appear too needy) to say that the wine hadn't arrived. A second bottle was subsequently despatched and again I waited.
  

  by Jane Skilton on 28 June 2009
  
  

• Austria: wonderful wines but no internet

  The drawback of having an independent, but non revenue earning, site were made abundantly obvious when I was charged $22 for 10 minutes internet use here in Vienna.
  

  by Jane Skilton on 19 June 2009
  
  

• " Evil, watery and grassy " - surely some mistake ?

  One of the UK's most influential wine writers can't find anything nice to say about our most famous wine . . . .
  

  by Jane Skilton on 4 June 2009
  
  

• Judging Chardonnay

  I'm here in Gisborne judging the 2009 International Chardonnay Challenge whilst Emma stays in Taupo and makes her final preparations for the MW examination . . . .
  

  by Jane Skilton on 28 May 2009
  
  

• 2006 Vidal Reserve Syrah, Hawke's Bay

  Despite being overwhelmed by jet lag and the overpowering aroma of household cleaning products, my arrival home leaves me with a sense of unease . . .
  

  by Jane Skilton on 2 April 2009
  
  

• A despatch from Bordeaux

  I am writing this sitting overlooking a vineyard in Entre deux Mers.
  

  by Jane Skilton on 6 March 2009
  
  

• Pinot Gris - why the long face ?

  The dawning realisation that I come from a family with ordinary palates. No single vineyard Nebbiolo nor monopole red Burgundy for us Skiltons . . .
  

  by Jane Skilton on 22 February 2009
  
  

• Kumeu River Winery - New Releases

  Roast potatoes and outstanding chardonnay - the hottest lunch date in town . . .
  

  by Jane Skilton on 9 February 2009
  
  

• 2008 Neudorf Kina Pinot Noir Rosé

  A pink from Nelson goes some way to restoring my confidence in the most summery of wines . . . . . (even though it is raining cats and dogs here in Auckland) . . .
  

  by Jane Skilton on 15 December 2008
  
  

• Trinity Hill Tempranillo - a retrospective

  A flying visit to Hawke's Bay to taste seven vintages of Trinity Hill Tempranillo and watch amazing flamenco dancing . . .
  

  by Jane Skilton on 28 October 2008
  
  

• Pinot Noir : 17th October 2008

  I seem to have spent this week going to pinot noir tastings: Wines of Martinborough on Tuesday, a decade of Mt Difficulty on Wednesday and a good look at the 2007 vintage (94 wines) courtesy of the Fine Wine Delivery Company yesterday . . .
  

  by Jane Skilton on 17 October 2008
  
  

• Tinpot Hut Wines

  On a flight to London last month, I sat next to a lady who told me her favourite Sauvignon Blanc was from Marlborough and called Tinpot Hut. (It was a bit embarrassing to admit that I had never heard of it) . . .
  

  by Jane Skilton on 14 October 2008
  
  

• NV Domaine Chandon Rosé

  I diligently made notes for a while but after a long arduous day I gave up the exercise and instead concentrated on which wine I found most enjoyable to drink...
  

  by Jane Skilton on 1 October 2008
  
  

• 2005 Hesketh 'Usual Suspects' Shiraz Viognier

  Rich and satisfying yet with a degree of elegance and poise. Definitely a label to watch.
  

  by Jane Skilton on 1 October 2008
  
  

• 2003 Erdener Treppchen Beerenauslese, Markus Molitor 375ml

  This was one of the most enjoyable rieslings I have tasted for a long time but unfortunately the class thought so too, so there was no second glass for me . . .
  

  by Jane Skilton on 1 October 2008
  
  

• Church Road Tasting

  As a nervous flyer, I was mightily relieved when Vic Williams suggested that a bottle may be in order, and enjoy it we did.
  

  by Jane Skilton on 1 September 2008
  
  

• Sauvignon Blanc vs Burgundy?

  Having been overseas for the last month I seem to have missed out on the war of words regarding the NZ wine industry's perceived reliance on Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.
  

  by Jane Skilton on 1 July 2008
  
  

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