Roger Jones indulges in Hawkes Bay's Food and Wine Classic

For 10 days in November Hawkes Bay is transformed into a food and wine Mecca attracting thousands of people from all over the world to divulge and celebrate the bounty that the area produces as part of the Food and Wine Classic. Wineries, local restaurants, scenic parks and historical buildings are used to offer an array of tastings, gourmet meals, art, voyages, celebrity chefs, and wine challenges, all packed out from free to enter events to ticketed events up to $300 per person.

Roger Jones flies his way to Hawkes Bay

An innocent question by the young pilot may possibly have confused both of us, 'what are you like flying in small planes Mr Jones?'  I answered no problem thinking he was asking if I was comfortable travelling in a 2 seater plane, but alas as soon as we took off he said 'you can take over now', so for the next 30 minutes Wales' equivalent to the Red Arrows was weaving down the coast from Gisborne to Hawkes Bay.

Roger Jones continues his Kiwi tour by discovering "hidden secrets" of Gisborne

Roger Jones continues his wine and gastronomic tour of New Zealand with a trip to Gisborne:

Roger Jones finds damaging frost and elegant wines at New Zealand's Kumeu River Winery

Based in the Kumeu wine region some 30 minutes from Auckland, this world renown Chardonnay producer was hit by frost over the weekend which destroyed part of one of their vineyards. A freak overnight change in temperature gave no warning so it had not hired the usual helicopters to protect the vines (see footnote).

Roger Jones gets ready for a wine tour of New Zealand with a new release tasting in London

In the first of a series of articles for Harpers.co.uk, as he travels across New Zealand hosting culinary and wine events and visiting many of the country's top wineries, Roger Jones of the Michelin-starred Harrow at Little Bedwyn attended a New Zealand tasting in London to get his palate in to gear.

Smaller wineries now selling more than half of wine direct to consumer

Smaller Australian, South African and New Zealand wineries are now selling more than half of their wines direct to consumer.

Bulk wine market sluggish as 2014 harvest ends, says Ciatti

As the 2014 harvest draws to a close, the bulk wine market remains sluggish, with plentiful stocks available in most markets, says the latest report from Ciatti. 

Buyers should beware of storm damage when sourcing New Zealand's 2014 wines

New Zealand's 2014 vintage resulted from "near perfect" conditions, but winemakers have warned buyers to take care as some Marlborough estates battled to harvest before Cyclone Ita hit.   

The Harrow's Roger Jones follows Heston Blumenthal by taking his restaurant offer overseas

Heston Blumenthal is not the only British Michelin-starred chef to be taking his restaurant overseas in the new year as Rojer Jones is set to travel to South Africa to embark on a restaurant tour with his award-winning The Harrow at Little Bedwyn.

Jackson Estate's Matt Patterson-Green showcases his Kiwi wines at Chiltern Firehouse

"I believe Marlborough will be known for producing the best Pinot Noir over time," declares Matt Patterson Green, winemaker of Jackson Estate. In his glass is one expression, Vintage Widow 2012, named, he says, "after women who lose their men to the vineyards..."

New firm North South Wines ramps up activity

Newly-created North South Wines is planning to boost its team as it gets ready for a series of product launches in the coming months.

Let's cheer Warren Adamson on his final push to John O'Groats for the Benevolent

If you've had a tough week of tastings, meetings and trips out to the Wines of the Beautiful South then spare a thought for Craggy Range's Warren Adamson who is currently in to day seven of a nine day bike ride between Land's End and John O'Groats.

Seckford Agencies toasts sales growth

Seckford Agencies has seen sales grow by 10 to 15% in the past year, says director David Cartwright.

Ex-Ehrmanns directors form new wine distribution company

Three high profile UK wine professionals, including two former Ehrmanns directors, have launched their own distribution company in partnership with three wineries, including De Bortoli wines, which is closing its UK office as a result.

New Zealand's export wine sales grow 10%

New Zealand's wine industry has seen export sales rise 10% in the past year as sales hit a new record of NZ$1.33 billion.

New Zealand's Mission estate eyes UK growth

New Zealand's Mission Estate is targeting UK growth in the independent and on-trade sectors with the appointment of its first UK business development manager.

David Babich on how carefully matched food helps bring his wines alive

David Babich, general manager of the family-owned Babich Wines, which reaped its first vintage in Auckland's Henderson Valley in 1916, along with Dinah Kinnear, sales manager for Europe, introduced their wine range at a special event hosted by UK distributor, PLB, at London's Underground Cookery School.

New Zealand scholarship up for grabs for UK wine professionals

UK wine professionals with a hankering for the New Zealand way of life could see their dreams come true by winning a scholarship to Marlborough.

Bulk Pinot Grigio stocks tighten, says Murphy Wine Company

Australian wineries face selling wines at a loss in 2014

Australian wineries face selling their wines at a loss this year if prices fall below current levels, given high costs of grapes and production in 2014, warns top wine broker.