Michael Cooper
Wine writer
Michael Cooper has 45 wine books and several literary awards to his credit. In the 2004 New Year Honours, Michael was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
The listener.co.nz is the website of the award-winning New Zealand Listener, which has been covering the political, cultural and literary life of Aotearoa New Zealand for 80 years with features on current events, politics, social issues, health, technology, arts, food, culture and entertainment.
Check out Michael’s latest content
Want to give your brain a workout? Try tasting wine
A sip of wine gives your cognitive functioning a thorough drill, suggests Michael Cooper.
Weekend wine guide: 50 not out
Austrian winemaker Hermann Seifried marks a production milestone at his Nelson vineyard.
Bumper weekend wine guide: The best pinot gris
Pinot gris has quickly become one of New Zealand's favourite wines.
Weekend wine guide: Felton Road winemaker on the secret of its success
The wine industry is in global decline but here, Felton Road swims against the tide.
Weekend wine guide: Villa Maria flies high
An airline-only Villa Maria selection and new entries from established favourites.
Weekend wine guide: We have beer on tap, so why not wine?
‘Greener’ wines come in a keg, with research showing it reduces the carbon footprint.
Bumper weekend wine guide: Chardonnay rules
Apple and lemon or peach and apricot – whichever you choose there’s a chardonnay to suit.
Weekend wine guide: Hunter’s run
Experience shows in the wines coming from Marlborough’s oldest producer.
Putting our wines to the test: NZ’s Bordeaux-style reds versus the French region’s wines
In a blind tasting, how well do our Bordeaux-style reds compare with the originals?
Weekend wine guide: Te Mata Estate bounces back after Cyclone Gabrielle devastation
Painstaking work has allowed Te Mata to harvest its finest cabernet sauvignon.
Bumper weekend wine guide: Time for a change
White wine doesn't begin and end with chardonnay or sauvignon blanc, so try something new.
Last orders? The crisis in New Zealand’s wine industry
NZ wine producers: "There's never been a tougher time to be in the wine business."
How wine descriptions on bottles play to our emotions and persuade us to buy
A 2017 study showed that elaborate back labels trigger higher expectations.
Bumper weekend wine guide: The best rosé wines for a summer weekend
Kiwis are lapping up rosé as though it’s going out of fashion.
Weekend wine guide: Wine-making alchemy is about experimenting with simple tools
Winemaker Julian Richards: "Culture begins at the farm, not in the opera house.”
Weekend wine guide: Burgundy reveals its secrets to a Central Otago pinot noir grower
A WWII tragedy leads to a connection with one of the world's most famed wine regions.
Weekend wine guide: Essential Marlborough
The best of the best from Appellation Marlborough Wine.
Weekend wine guide: Hans-on approach
Swiss couple chose Marlborough over California and Australia and they haven’t looked back.
Christmas wine guide: Festive fizz to stimulate the senses
The festive season is the time to break open the bubbles.
Weekend wine guide: Cheap & cheerful Aussie wines arrive in time for summer
Aussie wines in Kiwi-designed casks? What's not to love?
Weekend wine guide: After 20 years, Dog Point Vineyard has plenty to celebrate
Old dogs prove a point.
Weekend wine guide: Villa Maria’s ‘icon’ wines are worth seeking out
These are classy, high-priced, memorable wines, full of personality.
Weekend wine guide: A ‘difficult’ vintage in the Gimblett Gravels still produced excellent reds
Weather was unsettled in the 2022 growing season - but excellent wines still emerged.
Weekend Wine Guide: This tricky vintage still produced excellent reds this season
Difficulties caused by extreme weather have not stopped impeded this vintage.
