If your after nice outdoor shots, don't expect nature to play ball. Photo/Thinkstock
I've been in Hawke's Bay filming a bunch of stories for the third series of my wine show Thirsty Work for FoodTV.
It was all set to be a normal, happy shoot where everything ticked along like clockwork until the tail-end of a tropical cyclone decided to rear its rainy head and throw everyone into a tailspin. All of a sudden it seemed as though everyone hit the harvest button because the whites were right on ripe and wouldn't cope well with a big dump of rain.
The big red varieties are a wee way off optimum ripeness, so they should be fine, "but the chardonnay must come in!"
Bottling firm WineWorks were working at warp speed to cope with the influx of wine being cleared out from wineries desperate to create tank space to hold all the juice coming in. Everything was happening much earlier than usual - it was exciting, frantic and the tension in the air was electric.
But all the drama resulted in our filming schedule going right up the Khyber and it also meant I haven't been able to trawl through the interweb machine for new and interesting news on what's happening in the world of wine.
I haven't had time to transcribe any of the interviews I've conducted recently and I spent most of the week trying to figure out when we can swap indoor and outdoor scenes, instead of reading all the juicy press releases my inbox or researching the finer points of fermentation.
But what I have been able to do is taste some sensational drinks this week. Phew!
Alpha Domus The Wingwalker Viognier 2012 $25 I love the orange oil and apricot kernel characters on the nose and there's a grainy, toasty, rich mouthfeel. This wine has nice, tangy acidity, hints of vanilla and excellent length of flavour. Great stuff from the Bridge Pa Triangle Wine District - and one you should try pronto. www.alphadomus.co.nz
Sipsmith VJOP London Dry Gin $78Gin fans ahoy! The name of this superbly smooth gin stands for "Very Junipery Over Proof" and the Sipsmith lads are calling it their "symphony in J major". They've gone Spinal Tap on it and dialled the juniper up to 11 at 57.7 per cent proof. You'd think it'd blow your head off, but instead it's super-smooth, slippery and warming. The incredible lift of pure botanicals (not sure what that means, but I can't think of another word that describes it) is just so exotic and has serious "sip me" factor. www.whiskymarketplace.co.nz
Main Divide Waipara Valley Chardonnay 2012 $19 Packed with grapefruit, zesty stonefruit, biscuit and oak, this wine has lovely tension, length and complexity. Put simply, it's gorgeous and is a bargain at this price. www.maindivide.com
Amisfield Lowburn Terrace Riesling 2010 $34 1/2 Scented wth juicy lemon curd, lime and honeysuckle, this wine is deliciously succulent, fresh and oozing mandarin and apple characters. A gorgeous wine, one that will reward another year or three in the cellar - if you have the discipline. www.amisfield.co.nz
Neudorf Moutere Riesling 2011 $29 Wild yeast fermented, slightly chalky, biscuity and edged with lime and mandarin notes, this is a beautifully elegant and multi-layered riesling that's almost other-worldly. It is ageing beautifully, it's cleansing and luscious and if you're even just a touch interested in riesling then you need to try this wine. www.neudorf.co.nz
Byrne Northland Rose 2013 $22 1/2This is a nuggety Northland rose that's full of character and charm. Comprised of 70 per cent chambourcin and 30 per cent syrah, it shows aromas of marshmallow and cocoa, a bit like an easter egg but with a sensational seam of soft spices woven through the middle. There's a cherry note on the finish, making it a nice drop indeed.
Drumsara Central Otago Pinot Gris 2011 $32 Lovely fresh white peach, apple strudel and nashi notes on the nose and palate and boasts a very pretty, finely textured mid-palate, which is indicative of skillful solids treatment in the winery. The finish is succulent, a real joy to drink. www.drumsara.com