Vknow Geek Wine Podcast

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In this episode, we explore the gap between popularity and critical recognition in New Zealand wine. Sauvignon Blanc dominates production and exports, yet it doesn’t always feature at the very top of major wine awards.We break down what wine critics actually look for—balance, complexity, structure, and ageing potential—and how that differs from what makes Sauvignon Blanc so widely loved. From regional success in Marlborough to broader judging trends, this episode explains why the most popular wine isn’t always the most highly awarded.If you want to better understand how wine is assessed—and where Sauvignon Blanc fits—this episode gives you a clear, grounded perspective.Follow Vknowgeek for more New Zealand wine insights.#sauvignonblanc #nzwine #winepodcast #wineeducation

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What New Zealand Wine Region is the BEST? We are comparing four of New Zealand’s premier wine regions to see which one is the bestComparing everything from climate to soil to global impact and the all important wines from each region. Who will come out on top?#newzealandwine #wineeducation #wine #winelovers #nzwine #winegeek #pinotnoir #centralotago #hawkesbay #martinborough #marlborough #sauvignonblanc #thebest

Why is Hawke’s Bay considered a world-class wine region? 🍷In this episode, we explore what makes Hawke’s Bay one of the most important wine regions in New Zealand—from its warm climate and diverse soils to its ability to produce outstanding red wines.We break down key subregions like Gimblett Gravels, Bridge Pa, and Te Awanga, and explain how each contributes to different wine styles, from rich, structured reds to fresh, elegant wines. Featuring grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Chardonnay, this episode gives you a clear understanding of why Hawke’s Bay stands out on the global stage.Follow Vknowgeek for more New Zealand wine insights and wine education.

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What makes Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc so special? 🍷In this episode, we explore the climate, soils, geography, and history behind Marlborough’s global success. From its intense aromatics and fresh acidity to the rise of producers like Cloudy Bay, discover why this style became one of the most recognisable wines in the world.Check us out on youtubeSubscribe to Vknowgeek for more New Zealand wine insights, wine education, and deep dives into the world of wine.#sauvignonblanc #marlborough #newzealandwine #wineeducation

Why does Martinborough produce such world-class Pinot Noir? 🍷In this episode, we explore the climate, soils, geography, and history that make Martinborough one of the most unique wine regions in New Zealand. We also look at the producers shaping its reputation and what makes its wines so distinctive.Subscribe to Vknowgeek for more New Zealand wine insights, wine education, and deep dives into the world of wine.#martinborough #pinotnoir #newzealandwine #wineeducation

I haven’t done a pairing episode for a while, and I was inspired to do so thanks to a hearty autumnal dish I was cooking and a delicious wine I found Special to drink with it. I have taken a few classic autumnal/ winter dishes and given some slightly left of centre wines to pair with them.

is wine missing the mark? Does wine producers and their governing bodies need to reassess how the market themselves to drinkers? Does there need to be a shift in mindset?

the messages conveyed with packaging makes a huge difference in the way wine or anything is and feel a lot of wine companies in NZ get caught not know how to position themselves. Also they miss the mark in knowing what the consumer is looking for sometimes.

An episode dedicated to the legacy left by Peter Taylor. A huge thank you to Emma Jenkins MW, Tony Bish, Daniel Kemp and Ian Isaac’s.

The most misunderstood of grapes. We take a look at this most intoxicating wine style, as always from a Kiwi prospective.

this week i give my take on the Wine Blasts podcasts NZ wines of the year

We need to keep the little guys going!

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we break down Master of wine Emma Jenkins’ article in New Zealand Wine grower Magazine. where she interview’svarious industry peoples about this new Viticulture philosophy.

in this episode we have selected six wines (3x white and 3 x red) we think offer great summer drinking.

this week

My favourite wines from the year. Twelve in total including my value picks.

Getting more Kiwis enjoying food and wine together is an important cornerstone of this podcast. We explore this theme again by going through the current degustation menu with pairing at the two hatted restaurant the Bistro.

Two years this is what the Podcast is all about! Wine education, promoting small producers and food and wine pairing (part 2). This is what all about!

this week on the offensive taking aim at everyone from Tourism ministers, to cuisine , top 100 sommeliers, wine show governing bodies and even myself. After all this i finish on a high with Zephyr Riesling outstanding wine and the perfect way to finish

This is me putting my money where my mouth is. I have been telling you for weeks to stop buying the big corporates and it’s about to I backed up my words with alternatives to the big guys so here they are. Eradus Sauvignon Blanc $17.99 Whisky and More otherwise $19.99Odyssey Chardonnay $19.00 Whisky and More otherwise $19-$22Opals Pinot gris $18.99 Good Wine Company otherwise $22Pāritua Stone Paddock Rosé $19.99 Advintage $20 from paritua Me by matahiwi Pinot Noir $19.00 Whisky and More $22 elsewhere Alpha domus collection Syrah $19.00 Whisky and More otherwise up to $25Brookfield’s Burn Foot Merlot $17.99 Wine Central or up to $23.99Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc $36.99 Whisky and More otherwise Dog Point (Greywacke) $26.99 Good Wine Company Craggy Range Te Muna Sauvignon Blanc $26.99 Caros otherwise Palliser Estate Sauvignon Blanc $23.99 Whisky and MoreChurch Road Grand Reserve Chardonnay $34.99 Good Wine Company otherwise Odyssey Reserve Iliad Chardonnay $29.99 Whisky and MoreRoaring Meg Pinot Noir $23.99 Good Wine Company otherwise Shaky bridge Pioneer Series Pinot Noir $23.99 Whisky and MoreMt difficulty Pinot Noir $36.99 Whisky and More otherwise Grasshopper Rock $39.99 Whisky and MoreCraggy Range Martinborough Pinot Noir $33.99 Pak n Save otherwise Lime Rock Pinot Noir 2014 $33.00 Whisky and More or Johner Estate Gladstone Pinot Noir 2021 $35.00 Whisky and More Craggy Range Syrah $35.00 Woolworths otherwise Beach House Syrah 32.99Whisky and MoreChurch Road McDonald Series Merlot 25.99 Good Wine Company otherwise Beach House Merlot Cabernet Franc $22.99 Whisky and MoreMoët & Chandon $68.99 Pak n Save otherwise Vilaura Blanc de Blanc $58 Whisky and More or Quartz Reef Methode Traditionelle $34.99 Pak n SaveAix Rosé $29.99 New World otherwise Two Rivers Isle of Beauty Rosé $21.99 New World

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how true to traditional winemaking philosophies do the big commercial stick to. Do they follow the same ethos that smaller companies still stick to as in their wines bring a reflection of the growing season or is it just a homogenised numbers based product?

what is with wine influencers posting unicorn wines

Have you ever asked this question? How about should cellar a wine for the time recommended? Will like wine? Will the cork hold ? How do know the cork has worked? Can you wines even from poorer vintages.I answer these and more.

What is the right? Does situation make a difference? Does the right time make a difference? Does the right food make a difference? I more i also talk about how creating a bespoke specific to your restaurant an easy and very simple way of enhancing enduring your diners have a great and memorable experience. Do you need happy this DM me for a consultation and join others in that bespoke experience through wine and beverages that were made for your food.

Whilst the best Champagne Is hard to beat, the entry level Champagne is just that entry level. High-end Methode from New Zealand and throughout the world is better and cheaper hear me out. Check this and let me know if I have convinced you.

This week I break down all the changes to the Lionel’s Taupo winelist

My Review and analysis of the the NZIWS 2025 with my trophy predictions

You all love this one’s my analysis of the 2025 National wine awards of Aotearoa. We analysis and even predict the category winners for this years awards.

What is the difference between these categories? I simplify and break this down so you know the difference is and can make a more informed decision about your next wine purchase.Wine of the week 17:30

We have been talking about the top 100 Sommelier list for 2025, but how do we know if the wine list is a good? How do we know if the restaurant has a sommelier? And why is this important? Firstly I believe this is important because if a restaurant cares about the drinks they will undoubtedly care about the food, so the establishment must be good. Here are the things to look out for in my opinion.

The technical issues from last continued this week to the point where the recording software I was using I have got rid of. I need to apologise for the sound quality for the audio version as I had to record it while I was recording the separate video.What really in this wine there are a lot of falsehoods going around about is added to wines. I go through things that are used in winemaking and what is not.23:27- finish Wine of the week

Had some VERY annoying technical issues with this which required more editing than I have ever done. So I hope you enjoy this as it was an effort to get it to you. This week is all about the quality factors, myths and misconceptions out there which you should try to look out for and which are of little importance. All collimating in a massive surprise with the Week of the week!0:00- 13:59 quality influences pre and during production (before technical issues)14:10-28:46 quality influences post production (after technical issues)28:57- finish Wine of the week

What does it mean on a wine label? After tasting a ‘Reserve’ wine that I have trusted in the past admittedly from a poor vintage and was underwhelmed. This compelled me to dive into these reserve wines.26:08- Wine of the week

My take/ review on the NZ heralds Viva magazine top 50 Kiwi wineries for 2025. I congratulate all 50 and give my two cents on them.0:00- 3:26 Intro3:26- 6:36 Prophets Rock (overall top producer)6:36- 17:00 other category winners17:00- 23:20 overview of the rest and summation 23.3- finish Wine of the week

An old friend sent me a clip of people taking the piss out of wine analysis. Firstly it made me laugh then it got me thinking why do they talk they talk like this and what are they saying or they don’t really smell that they are making it up. Then I realised I talk like this and I say these then thanks @nancy_tschetner_artist for sending me this clip (below) and giving me a great topic to dive into.https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJJi4foNBi5/?igsh=MXEzM29wanNweHpwZQ==

Temperature of your wine makes such a difference to your drinking experience. We as Kiwis drink our whites too cold! Inspiration for this episode came because I tried two Chardonnay at their correct temperature then later tried them straight out of the fridge and it was a big mistake a mistake too many of us make.Timestamps 0:00- 3:35 overview of how temperature affects wine3:35- 11:19 the two wines that were the catalyst for this episode 11:19-14:44 drinking wines at there optimum 14:44- 17:45 tips on getting your wine down or up to a better drinking temperature 17:45- 19:15 summation 19:15- Finish wine of the week what’s coming up

The answer might be straightforward for most but there will be some that are unaware that the word in this case Merlot is actually the nav of the grape variety used in the wine. It is also the wines grape varietal name and it is most commonly used for blending with other grapes. In the episode we explore grape varieties, varietals and blended wines and before you think it blends don’t always mean the leftovers!Don’t forgot you can watch this on my YouTube channel @vknowgeekDon’t forgot you can watch this on my YouTube channel @vknowgeekTimestamps 0:00- 9:40 what grapes are used to make wine?9:40- 22:08 random wine tangent, the art of blending and all the different ways of blending wine.22.08 Finish wine of the week what’s coming up

I haven’t done one of these in a while this is food and wine pairings based on whether it’s just you and your partner, a couple of close friends and family that you want to impress with something left of centre or the go “all out” dinner party. I have included some specific wines too for you to check out.Don’t forgot you can watch this on my YouTube channel @vknowgeekTimestamps 0:00- 8:09 Ground rules8:09- 14:24 fish and seafood14:24- 22:05 white meats22:06-29:37 red meats29:37- 37:29 vegetables and dessert37:29- Finish wine of the week what’s coming up

Some wines do hurt us. These are the wines the hurt me as well as stories of how some other wines hurt others. If you get hurt by wine this is for you.Don’t forgot you can watch this on my YouTube channel @vknowgeekTimestamps 0:00- 7:15 Acid reflux7:15- 16:35 One glass hangover 16:35- 20:35 Gout wine20:35- 22:23 Quercetin and histamines 22:23- 25:58 Conclusions26:12-Finish wine of the week what’s coming up

Firstly congratulations to all the winners at the Aotearoa Organic Wine Awards 2025. However we want to debate the fairness and whether or not there can be a true representation given the climatic conditions the North Island in particular have endured over the last few years.Always let me know if you agree or disagree with what I have to say.Don’t forgot you can watch this on my YouTube channel @vknowgeekTimestamps 0:00- 4:05 intro4:05-7:10 organic wine awards stats7:10-13.52 my thoughts on organic certification vs organic practices 13.52- 16:13 the impact of growing conditions on resulting wine16:13- 21:35 conclusion 21:51- Finish wine of the week what’s coming uphttps://open.spotify.com/artist/03oIsOUE0eEQ9HZZYg2tOV?si=V6QWpuhVS3CqU9RaNhxwzQhttps://www.facebook.com/aziamusic.studio.zhttps://www.instagram.com/azia_studio.z?igshid=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg%3D%3Dhttps://www.tiktok.com/@azia_music?_t=8hVsHcwRrj5&_r=1

Stop buying those big brands, step outside your comfort zone and don’t get sucked into all the hype. Don’t buy into consumerism. Live a little try wine from smaller more artisanal producers. When you get led down a garden path or two you can end up with the wrong info this was sent to me after posting*The correct info on Villa Marias ownership you can find on the Indevin website.Indevin is 100% kiwi still. owned by the Tomlison group, Duncan McFarlane and some kiwi share holders.If you would like some suggestions on producers to try message me the types of wine you like and I can give you some producers to check out.Always let me know if you agree or disagree with what I have to say.Don’t forgot you can watch this on my YouTube channel @vknowgeekTimestamps 0:00- 6:40 What is this all about6:40- 8:44 comparing Pyramid Valley and Craggy Range8:44- 14:38 bulk production vs boutique 14:38- 17:42 restaurants role in this17:42- 18:14 the Easthope story 18:14- 21:00 Kiwi whites/reds Vs international whites/reds21:00- 24:52 5 biggest wine producers in NZ 24:52- 25:19 conclusion 25:19- Finish wine of the week what’s coming up

If you haven’t seen this fad on socials check it out then you can check out my thoughts on this whole thing there are plenty to check out. Don’t forgot you can watch this on my YouTube channel @vknowgeekTimestamps 0:00- 16:28 My stance on this17:26- Finish wine of the week what’s coming up

As this is my first foray onto YouTube I thought it best to reintroduce myself. The more confident self with much better volume quality.Timestamps 0:00- 14:05 Introducing me14:05- Finish wine of the week what’s coming up

I am sure you have come across people the are this way inclined a lot of the time it’s based around myths and misconceptions we break this down.Timestamps 0:00- 5:05 Intro 6:03- 27:04 the pros, cons, myths and misconceptions 28:01- Finish wine of the week what’s coming uphttps://open.spotify.com/artist/03oIsOUE0eEQ9HZZYg2tOV?si=V6QWpuhVS3CqU9RaNhxwzQhttps://www.facebook.com/aziamusic.studio.zhttps://www.instagram.com/azia_studio.z?igshid=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg%3D%3Dhttps://www.tiktok.com/@azia_music?_t=8hVsHcwRrj5&_r=1