http://www.joellethomson.com/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.joellethomson.com en-us Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:21:51 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.joellethomson.com/blog/post/163625/silver-lining-to-the-capital-citys-torrential-rain-clouds/ For a city that has had a net loss of over 1500 businesses over the past two years and is now in a state of emergency following torrential rain this week, Wellington has had something of a cloud hanging over it, both literally and metaphorically. But last week saw the opening of a new business by optimistic entrepreneur, Liz Wheadon. She brings three decades of experience to bear in opening a specialist wine retail store - with a difference. It's set inside an art gallery on a side street and wi... Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:59:35 +1200 http://www.joellethomson.com/blog/#post163625 http://www.joellethomson.com/blog/post/161541/why-diversity-pays-dividends-in-winemaking/ Can diversity pay dividends in a small wine region devoted largely to Pinot Noir? It’s a pressing question, especially in a place as compact and climatically unforgiving as Martinborough, the remote rural village situated in the south east of New Zealand's North Island.The name Martinborough is synonymous with distinctively earthy tasting Pinot Noirs and is the hub of the winemaking in the wider Wairarapa Wine Region (the region's official name), with approximately half of the overall pla... Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.joellethomson.com/blog/#post161541 http://www.joellethomson.com/blog/post/162635/are-flavour-infusions-taking-wine-to-a-new-place/ As new wine releases go, the launch of fruit flavour-infused, lower alcohol wine in a can is an interesting concept. Combining a single portion size with a lower than standard alcohol content are both ideal ways to market wine to parents of teenagers and teenagers themselves. It's the fruit part that piques my interest because wine is made from fruit already - grapes. Over the past week, I've had the chance to taste three cans and five bottles that look like wine but don't smell or tas... Fri, 03 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.joellethomson.com/blog/#post162635 http://www.joellethomson.com/blog/post/162919/new-zealand-winegrowers-appoints-new-ceo/ New Zealand Winegrowers announced today that it is appointing Anishka Jelicich as its next Chief Executive Officer from the end of July 2026.Winegrowers' Chair Fabian Yukich describes Anishka as a stand-out candidate with a deep understanding of the New Zealand wine industry, combined with extensive global knowledge and experience. "She offers strong credentials in navigating complex international environments, a deep understanding of policy and trade and a proven ability to build alignment... Mon, 30 Mar 2026 20:56:06 +1300 http://www.joellethomson.com/blog/#post162919 http://www.joellethomson.com/blog/post/162374/is-merlot-gaining-momentum/ If you’ve watched the film Sideways, it will come as no surprise to hear that Merlot has spent a significant proportion of the past 22 years being mocked as a moderate, middle-of-the-road and safe wine, unless it's blended with more noble grape varieties or comes from a specific and highly rated site, such as Masseto; the iconic 100% Merlot Super Tuscan from Bolgheri in Italy, which has long had a reputation as one of the world’s most collectible wines.For most Merlot, it's a different ... Sun, 22 Mar 2026 14:23:41 +1300 http://www.joellethomson.com/blog/#post162374 http://www.joellethomson.com/blog/post/161976/when-is-the-right-time-to-drink-wine/ It's rare to remember a conversation held 12 years ago with as much clarity as this one but such is the power of great wine and ideas when they collide. The conversation in question was held over a bottle of aged Barolo shared with a wine marketing man Ed Donaldson, who said "This wine reminds me of a plan that our family has put in place because we're really aware that people drink our wines as soon as they're released, which is basically too young to taste what we're aiming for. Because we lov... Sun, 15 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.joellethomson.com/blog/#post161976 http://www.joellethomson.com/blog/post/160900/in-victory-i-deserve-it-in-defeat-i-need-it/ Winston Churchill famously consumed a bottle of Champagne Pol-Roger every day throughout World War II, which is sometimes hard to believe, given the scarcity of availability of champagne during the war, but it's a good story. And it's one I was reminded of this week for more reasons than one but the key reason was the late, great man's famous words "In victory I deserve it and in defeat I need it" - or something alone those lines. A visiting friend delivered a champagne to my doorstep to taste a... Sat, 07 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.joellethomson.com/blog/#post160900 http://www.joellethomson.com/blog/post/161199/best-of-the-west--vasse-felix-cabernet-sauvignon/ Driving south through the burnished red landscape and relative lushness of Perth city to its nearest and dearest wine region - Margaret River - is a feast for the eyes and the tastebuds. I returned less than a week ago from a first-ever visit to this great wine region, in which I found myself for a very old friend's wedding rather than an in-depth wine tour but both were on my agenda.This was my pick of the wines I was able to try while there. More to come as there will be many other visits... Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.joellethomson.com/blog/#post161199 http://www.joellethomson.com/blog/post/161197/vintage-comes-early-to-nz-2026/ Harvest is underway and about to begin across New Zealand’s wine regions as the industry prepares for the 2026 vintage, which is shaping up to be the earliest one yet, says New Zealand Winegrowers.Northland kicked off on 23 January, followed by Hawke’s Bay and, in more recent weeks, Marlborough and North Canterbury have begun to harvest grapes. Central Otago is looking slightly later this year. “January to March are critical months for growing and ripening grapes. We are looking forwa... Mon, 02 Mar 2026 21:07:26 +1300 http://www.joellethomson.com/blog/#post161197 http://www.joellethomson.com/blog/post/159982/will-the-real-low-alc-wine-please-stand-up/ "You have to be a mountain goat to work on these slopes," said Dr Ernst Loosen when speaking to a packed room of wine devotees in Wellington last month. Dr Loosen (as the winemaker and his eponymous wines are known - pronounced 'low-zen') is one of the wine world's most articulate ambassadors. And the slopes in question are impossibly steep, blanketed in vines as they flank the banks of the Mosel River in Germany's most famous wine region; the Mosel.There are places that leave a positive im... Sun, 01 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.joellethomson.com/blog/#post159982