Given the keen competition, over-supply and precarious, weather-dependent nature of growing grapes, it's astonishing that new wine producers continue to emerge.

Unofficial estimates say that wine sales in Spain, the third largest producer in the world, have dropped by about 10 per cent.

Until last December the delights of our dessert wines were denied to drinkers in the EU due to protectionist legislation that had been in place for years.

A passion for wine has seen Keith Stewart collect a fine harvest of facts for his history of New Zealand wine. He talks to Joelle Thompson.

Two businessmen have created a $500 Cristal champagne sorbet, topped with gold-leaf shavings, to raise money for Haiti earthquake victims.

Reluctant passenger Geraldine Johns straps herself in and is jetted to cuisine hotspots.

Lisa and Verity, the fabulous gals at Garnet Station, are always on the look out for heavenly treats to stock in their gorgeous neighbourhood cafe.

French suppliers have been taken to court for wine fraud.

Wine writer John Hawkesby reflects on his year of tasting.

Choosing the right drop to drink mid-air is a surprisingly tricky business.

Move over sav - it's time for the small artisan producers to shine.

With all the excitement around the Auckland Horse Racing Carnival, we couldn't go past this limited edition handmade 18ct gold and diamond pin.

Get past the tongue-twisting name, put aside your preconceptions and get into gewürztraminer.

You'd be excused for thinking the recent pinot noir export swindle by the French would be an excellent chance for New Zealand pinot noir producers to get a significant foothold in the lucrative American market.

Sauvignon blanc has conquered the Australian market and almost single-handedly delivered a boom to New Zealand.

There's a world of quirky traditions associated with wine.

Adventurous local winemakers are experimenting with blends.

A well-made, inexpensive Italian red wine is a great joy, says John Hawkesby.

This year has been a dream run eating out-wise. All the restaurants I've reviewed have been wonderful, hence the high scores.

Rum, which largely fell out of favour after a guy in a tuxedo showed up in a secret agent movie and asked for a vodka martini, is becoming popular in the US once more.

A group of French winemakers have been found guilty of selling fake Pinot Noir to the US.

Joelle Thomson talks to one of the founding fathers of Marlborough's wine industry.

Many readers will remember the very cool restaurant Musical Knives on Ponsonby Rd.

Rose wine delights the eye as well as the palate.

The silicon present in beer helps improve bone mineral density, scientists say.

Should we be drinking Champagne in those larger, rounder, balloonish burgundy-style glasses rather than elegant, long, thin-stemmed flutes?

A leading British wine critic has warned New Zealand pinot noir makers not to flood the British market with cut-price wine, which he says has happened with our sauvignon blancs.

Can our beloved sauvignon blanc age gracefully?