Favourite Things Cyclone takes its toll on NZ growers

New Zealand wine producers in Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne face power cuts and water shortages as they begin the 2023 harvest in the cyclone-ravaged regions.

Cyclone Gabrielle ripped through North Island in early February. Eleven people were killed, dozens more were injured and around 10,000 were left homeless, according to early estimates.

Hugo Meyer Esquerre Provisions, Hackney

Favourite wine on my list

At the moment I’m really enjoying the Mas des Agrunelles Indigène. It’s one of our best sellers, a warming blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan from high up in the hills of Terrasses du Larzac. It has amazing complexity, deep and profound with notes of bruised strawberries, rose petals and an incredibly smooth finish.

Favourite wine and food match

You can’t go wrong with the classics. I love an old Vin Jaune with a salty hard cheese. Comté is an obvious match and with good reason, but Gruyère or Parmesan work equally well.

Favourite wine trip

The road from Vallée de L’Agly in Roussillon up to Corbières is pretty spectacular, winding through the impressive limestone mountains. I’m lucky to make this trip often as many of our producers are around here.

Favourite wine trade person

Even though he can be very opinionated at times, it’s always a pleasure to catch up with Raphael Rodriguez from Vine Trail.

Favourite wine shop

In London I’m really enjoying Antidote and Hector’s. Both have a very well curated selection and I always find something I want to drink on their shelves.