Wine Reviews and Articles on WineAlign.com

I travel and taste widely to bring you reliable wine recommendations. I'm not here to tell you what to drink, just to offer opinion and context. I'll give you my comparative analysis of quality and value according to what I know about the grape, region and producer's typical characteristics, my understanding of various winemaking techniques and vintage conditions, plus a host of other things that combine to give, in a word, context. The liking, or disliking, is up to you.

Follow the link below to all of my latest articles and wine reviews published on WineAlign.com, Canada's biggest and most authoritative wine website. WineAlign.com is an online and mobile-based service that helps you find top-rated wines that are currently in stock at your local shop.

Instagram feed: see the slide show below of my latest (mostly) wine picks:

Fresh dusting of snow on the southern alps & aerial shot of vineyards in Central Otago en route to Queenstown.

Sun rise over the Waipara Valley, Canterbury, NZ. Origins of some of the country’s top Pinot and chard from wind-soaked, struggling vines. Accountants hate this place.

Noble Rot: this is THE place in Wellington for wine and food. Strangely, no relation to @noblerotbar in London.... @noblerotwinebar

Mahinga kai: traditional Maori food gathering (foraging) with legendary local expert, park ranger and ethnobotanist Riki Bennett, which will culminate in an “urban” hangi (modified heated pit oven) lunch. @nzschool_foodandwine

Journey to stunning Waiheke Island through the Auckland Volcanic Field in the Hauraki Gulf. Home to just under 30 wineries. 40m ferry ride from Auckland. Popular tourist destination. Swipe for more pics.

I’ve seen plenty of #volcanic #vineyards, but not too many planted IN a crater. Here Villa Maria’s striking Ihumatao vineyard in the Waitomokia volcano in Auckland (last erupted 25k-30k years ago), with compelling chard, gewürz, and especially intriguing verdelho (think Azores and Madeira). Basalt underpinning, tuff ring and peaty center. All of Auckland sits on an incredibly active volcanic field. Crisis plans are in place... @villamariawines #volcanicwinesinternational #volcanicwines @nzwineeurope @travel.newzealand

Now that’s a clever idea, and very supportive of the New Zealand wine industry. In flight wine ordering: ship NZ wines selected my a panel of MS/MWs anywhere in the world (except Canada) from 37,000 feet. Nice idea, no @aircanada @veroniquerivest? @nzwinecanada @camdouglasms

Bill Redelmeier of @southbrookvineyards delivering a retrospective of Ontario Chardonnay 05s to 08s. Many standing the test of time. Props to @clossonchasevineyards 07, @tawsewinery Robyn’s block 07 @malivoire Moira 05 & @southbrookvineyards Poetica 07

Magical evening @clayoquotresort, All #volcanicwines, all the time, with strikingly superb dishes to match authored by @chefpataran, and many special guests including @romadowney @markburnett13 & @chriscolfer. One spectacular corner of planet earth. We were all touched by an angel that evening.

Journey into Clayoquot Wilderness Resort on Vancouver island, location of the next #volcanicwine experience with local fare by @chefpataran. One of the most spectacular places on #planet #earth.