The Wine Merchant's Blog

The 2020 harvest began on the 10th March starting with Pinot Noir from Dog Point Vineyard’s west ridge. Little did we know that in two weeks’ time we would be in a situation which we never thought possible. Like many other countries around the world, New Zealand went into full lockdown under Alert level 4 […]

Arguably, one of the biggest developments in the history of the wine industry was in August 1978, when Robert M. Parker Jr., a lawyer from Baltimore, Maryland and amateur wine enthusiast released a bi—monthly consumer report about wines available in the U.S. The report included importer information and, most importantly, a score out of 100. […]

Now that many of us have more time on our hands it is a great opportunity to learn more about wine. We have put together a list of wine experts to follow to find out more. They range from education bodies to individuals who specialise in different topics of wine but all of them offer […]

What is a vintage? Put simply, the vintage of a wine is the year in which the grapes were harvested. The vintage can influence the taste and quality of the resulting wine due the conditions experienced by the vines over the growing season. It’s because of this that, in some instances, vintage can greatly affect […]

Sunday 22nd March Champagne Forget-Brimont Brut Premier Cru Rosé NV Spoil her with this elegant Rosé Champagne from a sixth-generation champagne producing family. This delicious champagne has juicy red berry fruit but with an ample mouth feel and great finish. Rosé Saint Jacques Chapelle En Rose 2017 We love the story; a special limited edition […]

A truly great quote is similar to an exceptionally aged wine – it never really gets old, so I hope I will be forgiven for recycling a favourite quote of mine from a previous post; “Only with Burgundy do the details matter so passionately… others have made beautiful Pinot Noirs, but none arouse the passions […]

There are so many varietals out there, but sometimes you come across one that seems very similar to another, is this just a case of two different names for the same grape, or does the difference lie beyond just the name? Here are three examples of names that are used interchangeably but can mean more […]

Spring is just around the corner, time to relax and enjoy the lighter evenings. Spend more time in the garden or take long evening walks as the countryside around you changes. I cannot think of a better way to finish that perfect day than knowing there is a glass of beautiful wine waiting for you. […]

Valentine’s day is fast approaching and we have put together our Top 5 gifts to put a smile on the face of your loved one this year. 1.Forget-Brimont Brut Premier Cru NV What is Valentine’s Day if not a celebration of love and togetherness? With this in mind, consensus would dictate that nothing quite signifies […]

Over the past few years, the wines of the Rhône have graduated from the closely guarded secret of wine anoraks to a staple of shop shelves and restaurant by-the-glass lists. I’ve always had a soft spot for the region, so it was with great excitement that I caught the red eye to Lyon to join […]

I could sit here and wax lyrical about the wonders of Burgundy, but a man much more experienced than I has already said it best, so I will quote him instead; “Only with Burgundy do the details matter so passionately…so horribly when you have a great one and there is no way to know what […]

The festive season is well and truly underway and as the “big day” draws closer there’ll be some that will, in the midst of the frenzied preparation, nevertheless still find time to consider the all-important vinous accompaniments to the occasion with utmost seriousness and scrutiny.  If the Christmas lunch is to serve a purposeful simulacrum […]