On the Road, on a Plane - at an Event

Whether you buy your wine online, at a local liquor outlet or specialist wine store, your decision has to be made partly or wholly on trust - that you’re given sound advice, the label descriptions are accurate, and the wine will suit your needs and tastes.

Some of the best wines I have tasted so far this year and not given away to family and friends - meaning Janet and I have enjoyed more than a glass each of these wines with dinner – are listed below. It’s not the complete list…

Learning to taste wine is a skill for anyone willing to learn how their palate works can master. As a teenager I used to buy only what the budget could afford, which was often bag-in-box velluto rosso red, and on special occasions I would buy Wolf Blass red label.

I always thought Paul was a southland born lad, he seems so connected to the land, but I was wrong, he’s was born in Hamilton “the mighty Tron” as he likes to call it. His mum is from Hamilton too and his dad from France.

Elaine Chukan Brown is a writer, speaker, and educator specialising in wine, personal empowerment, and social justice. She is the executive editor for USA wine at JancisRobinson.com.