Syrah: a wine so appreciated it has its own day

Syrah: a wine so appreciated it has its own day
Craggy Range's Gimbletts Gravels vineyard produces some of this country's finest syrahs. (Image: Craggy Range)
Bob Campbell MW
In case you missed it, Feb 16 was Syrah Day. I celebrated by digging out an old … well, old-ish … bottle of syrah and firing up the barbecue. Carefully stored syrah from a good producer and a decent vintage is capable of putting a smile on your face after 20 years or more but that doesn’t mean you have to age it to its limit and risk drinking a musty, oxidised wine. I chose a bottle of Craggy Range 2006 Le Sol Syrah, which was drinking beautifully after being stored for its entire life at 14C. I enjoyed it with a b...

More The Life

Ethical Christmas businesses making a mark
The Life

Ethical Christmas businesses making a mark

Small businesses offer alternative to mountains of Christmas waste and unethical labour.

Cécile Meier 17 Dec 2024
Jaecoo J7 super hybrid system set for NZ
The Life

Jaecoo J7 super hybrid system set for NZ

The Jaecoo J7 PHEV has a 1,200km range.

David Linklater 15 Dec 2024
My Net Worth: Courtney Johnston, CEO of Te Papa
The Life

My Net Worth: Courtney Johnston, CEO of Te Papa

"I don't think beyond this job. It is the job of a lifetime." 

Gregor Thompson 15 Dec 2024
Review: Tantalising selections at Tantalus on Waiheke Island
The Life

Review: Tantalising selections at Tantalus on Waiheke Island

The journey is worth it to visit the perfection that is this vineyard restaurant.

Helen van Berkel 08 Dec 2024