News & Events

Marlborough Wine & Food Festival 10 February 2018

Nelson Wine & Food Festival celebrates sensational sounds, wine, food, and summer. 18 February 2018

Clyde Wine & Food Harvest Festival (Clyde) 1 April 2018

Wairarapa Wines Harvest Festival 10 March 2018

North Canterbury Wine & Food Festival (Waipara) 11 March 2018

Clyde Wine & Food Harvest Festival (Clyde) 1 April 2018

Don’t let anyone tell you there aren’t any good local pinot noirs for under $20, $25 or $30. 18 August 2017

Small to medium-sized vineyards, especially, are being drawn into going organic. 3 August 2017

When temperatures plummet, we pile on the clothes, eat heavier food – and look for wines that will warm us up. 24 June 2017

The best of the region’s wineries pay attention to the visitor experience at the cellar door. 16 June 2017

Pinot gris and pinot noir are soaring beside the traditional varieties of Hawke’s Bay. 26 May 2017

For those who can't decide which pink to drink. 6 May 2017

Here’s your chance to try wines from several varieties that, although cultivated for centuries in Europe, are still new and exciting in our vineyards. 14 April 2017

With its inviting floral scents, lightness and incisive, citrusy, limey flavours, riesling is the perfect summer wine. 27 January 2017

For the holiday season, crack open one of Michael Cooper’s local celebratory picks. 16 Dec 2016

For countless wine lovers overseas, New Zealand IS ­sau­vignon blanc, mostly from Marlborough. 16 DEcember 2016

In New Zealand low-alcohol wines – often dubbed “lifestyle” wines – have captured 2.4% of total wine sales in supermarkets. But are they really lower in calories? 16 Dec 2016

Michael Cooper recently tasted a selection of Villa Maria’s white wines, mostly from 2016, and reds, mostly from the 2015 vintage. Here are his best buys. 14 October 2016

A highly versatile region, Nelson is producing wines that are well worth discovering. Here are some of the best. 23 September 2016

Whatever marketing gurus say, wine-buyers simply want a guide to price and quality. Despite winegrowers constantly being urged to “tell your story”. 24 August 2016

Organic wines, once a small market niche, now offer plenty of quality choices. 17 August 2016

Think Marlborough, think sauvignon blanc. But the region produces great pinot noir too. 01 July 2016

From bubbly to rosé and red, Lion is snapping them up. 07 June 2016

Cooler weather is here and with it different tipples. Issue 3965 24 May 2016

Deciphering wine-label mumbo-jumbo can be a matter of spotting what’s unsaid. Issue 3960 6 May 2016

Wairarapa wine from the early 20th century is mellow and pleasurable, even after all these years. Issue 3952 1st March 2016

Rare and special wines are now on the menu for Air New Zealand’s business-class passengers. Issue 3951 20th February 2016

Stylish pinot noirs and well-rounded whites are a feature of northern Wairarapa’s output. Issue 3950 28th January 2016

Matua’s small-batch, high-priced single-vineyard wines really deliver. Issue 3949 21st January 2016

The internet has changed the way people buy their wine, so winemakers need to be up with the play. Issue 3948 14th January 2016

Locally produced albariño is a classy wine that teams perfectly with seafood. Issue 3947 8th January 2016

Increasing their focus on high-quality, high-margin wines will help small producers survive. Issue 3946 31st December 2015

After our columnist's marathon annual tastings, here are 23 hot wines for great summer drinking. Issue 3945 17th December 2015

South Australian wines will be a popular choice for Kiwi barbecues these holidays. Issue 3944 10th December 2015

Christmas can be stressful, especially if you are anticipating the arrival of in-laws. However, it’s also a perfect excuse to open some great bottles – special occasions deserve special wines. Issue 3943 3rd December 2015

These five award-winning wines are great value and should be easy to find. Issue 3942 26th November 2015

After tasting about 3000 wines, our columnist names his best red and white buys of the year. Issue 3941 19th November 2015

A new book celebrates the Babich family’s 100 years of winemaking. Issue 3940 12th November 2015

With Christmas coming up, it’s time to think about affordable sparkling wine. Issue 3939 5th November 2015

Hawke’s Bay’s 2013 harvest produced some excellent examples. Issue 3925 30 July 2015

Two winemakers have gone out on their own, producing some outstanding results. Issue 3926 6 August 2015

The new releases from the 2015 harvest are impressive and flavour-packed. Issue 3927 13th August 2015

When it comes to winemaking, Julianne Brogden has found value in collaboration. Issue 3928 20th August 2015

Here’s a guide to some wonderful local drops that I’ve been supping recently. Issue 3929 27th August 2015

Delegat’s stable offers a range of good value and downright drinkable wines. Issue 3931 10th September 2015

Wine competitions may not provide the reliable guide to quality that we expect. Issue 3932 17th September 2015

After a decade in its Mangere complex, Villa Maria has plenty to celebrate. Issue 3933 24th September 2015

The 2013 La Collina Syrah sets a new standard in memorable vintages. Issue 3934 1st October 2015

Fine wines are being produced on the site of Marlborough’s first-recorded winemaker. Issue 3935 8th October 2015

Mahi and Greenhough are producing some of the best personality-filled wines. Issue 3936 15th October 2015

After more than 30 years as winemaker for the same company, Paul Mooney is still producing classy, affordable wines. Issue 3937 22nd October 2015

Full-bodied, dry whites can be a great alternative to reds in the colder months. Issue 3923 16 July 2015

Pay this Waiheke winery a year ahead and the prices plummet. Issue 3922 9 July 2015

There’s more to your take on a wine’s flavour than what your taste buds tell you. Issue 3921 2 July 2015

A peasant’s guide to drinking like a king. Issue 3920 25 June 2015

We’ve all have our homegrown favourites, but what about these from overseas? Issue 3919 18 June 2015

The style of one of France’s finest celebrates subtlety, delicacy and finesse. Issue 3918 11 June 2015

Take your taste buds on a tour of some of Craggy Range’s top-notch reds. Issue 3917 4 June 2015

Family tradition is alive and well at Hawke’s Bay’s Ngatarawa winery. Issue 3916 28 May 2015

Do you like that wine because it’s good, or because it’s expensive? Issue 3915 21 May 2015

Hawke’s Bay’s 2014 reds reflect their second top harvest in a row. Issue 3914 14 May 2015

The sometimes difficult 2015 harvest has produced some great results. Issue 3913 7 May 2015

The man who runs Palliser Estate on success and foreign investment. Issue 3912 30th Apr 2015

Pinot noir with complexity, richness and a price tag that won’t put you in the red. Issue 3911 23rd Apr 2015

Matakana wineries may be pushing the boundaries, but the results are better than ever. Issue 3910 16th Apr 2015

These fine wines from Hawke’s Bay’s Church Road are great value. Issue 3909 9th Apr 2015

Central Otago’s Chard Farm celebrates a milestone. Issue 3908 2nd Apr 2015

Go to Advanced Wine Search to search the latest wine reviews from New Zealand Wines 2018, Michael Cooper’s Buyer’s Guide.

Go to Advanced Wine Search to search the latest wine reviews from New Zealand Wines 2017, Michael Cooper’s Buyer’s Guide.

Go to Advanced Wine Search to search the latest wine reviews.

Go to Recent Tasting Notes to view Michael’s most recent wine review updates.

Go to Recent Tasting Notes to view Michael’s most recent wine review updates.

Go to Recent Tasting Notes to view Michael’s most recent wine review updates.

Go to Recent Tasting Notes to view Michael’s most recent wine review updates.

Go to Recent Tasting Notes to view Michael’s most recent wine review updates.