A decade of deliciousness

Ah yes, Issue #42, 2012. I remember it well. We’d decided it was time to highlight the best wines, beers and ciders in the land. We’d put the word out and assemble a crack team of the best palates in the business to judge. We’d book out the boardroom, hire some glasses, and crank up the staffroom dishwasher for clean-up. How hard could it be?

Cut to six MWs and winemakers crammed into a tiny meeting room, ploughing through 182 pinot noirs, using dozens upon dozens of glasses, stressing out the volunteers and causing the poor old dishwasher to seize up. Still, we found 10 gold medal winners and our Tasting Panels were born! We’ve since been lucky to work with the amazing Janet Blackman and Cameron Douglas MS from the School of Hospitality & Tourism at AUT, whose expert wine stewarding teams mean our tasting panels now run smoothly.

This collection features those styles that either came top of their tastings or feature in the top-ranked wines across multiple issues and vintages. I’ve tried to include wines, beers and ciders that are still being produced and still rate really highly out there in the drinkosphere. So get out the good goblets!

HERO SPARKLING

These bubblies are absolute aristocrats and represent great value for money: world-class quality at a fraction of the cost of champagne.

Nautilus Marlborough Cuvée Brut NV, $39