WELCOME
Top Tastes is designed to help you find the best food and beverage venues and products; whether you want delicious fish chips, beautiful café food in a winery setting, finely crafted formal dining, food ideas, wine reviews or cocktail recipes this is your guide to the best New Zealand has to offer.
Top Tastes was created by Neil Hodgson and managed by him, he has invited other writers to contribute to the site, this means more regional information will be added as time goes by. You will find a range of opinions, reviews and recipes from people who know their stuff when it comes to food and beverage.
Only reviews written by this select group will be published on the site (you are welcome to leave comments of course) so you will be able to trust the review – no fake reviews, no ranting, just good information to help you choose great things to eat and drink as well as the best places to eat out.
THE LATEST REVIEWS
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Neil Hodgson
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Neil Hodgson2021-05-07 17:21:002021-05-09 17:38:36NZ CHAMPIONS OF CHEESE AWARDS 2021 TROPHIES
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Neil Hodgson
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Neil Hodgson2021-05-05 18:57:002021-05-09 19:54:15Salvito’s Pizza BarFEATURED ARTICLES
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Neil Hodgson
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Neil Hodgson2021-05-05 18:57:002021-05-09 19:54:15Salvito’s Pizza Bar
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Neil Hodgson
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Neil Hodgson2021-04-21 16:03:002021-05-08 16:09:25Moutere Hills Wines and Forsters
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Neil Hodgson
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Neil Hodgson2021-03-19 15:04:442021-04-20 14:42:13Master of Cheese uses her refined palate to help lift Sri Lankan dairy farmers out of poverty
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Neil Hodgson
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Neil Hodgson2021-03-11 16:19:422021-03-11 16:19:42The Fat Tui
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Neil Hodgson
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Neil Hodgson2021-03-03 16:17:562021-03-07 16:39:04Hans Herzog and Natural Wines
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Neil Hodgson2021-02-24 16:00:562021-03-07 16:17:26Little Nessie CafeTOP WINES TASTINGS
No1 Family Estate Assemble Methode Marlborough
Taste & Other Notes
It may be made in Marlborough but the Champagne heritage of Daniel Le Brun is obvious in this finely crafted yet very approachable wine.
Blackenbrook 2019 Family Reserve Nelson Pinot Noir
Taste & Other Notes
I first tasted this wine several months ago not long after it was bottled and thought it was an exceptional wine at the time, with extra time in the bottle my opinion hasn’t changed. While Pinot Noir can be light and floral this example is a delicious, powerful wine with lots of character and intrigue. From the initial intense fruit to the layers of smoky oak and juicy acidity this is a determined wine, it has presence and character.
Blackenbrook 2019 Family Reserve Nelson Chardonnay
Taste & Other Notes
This Blackenbrook Vineyards Reserve Chardonnay represents a full style with obvious oak that balances the fruit intensity nicely. Lovely butterscotch flavours upfront are enticing but it’s the balance of intense flavours, oak and ripe acidity that makes this wine special.
We’ve put together a team of experts who have a passion for writing about Food and Beverage.
NZ CHAMPIONS OF CHEESE AWARDS 2021 TROPHIES
/in Neil Hodgson, New Zealand, News, Producers /by Neil HodgsonThis year’s New Zealand Champions of Cheese Awards has recognised long term favourites as well as newcomers among its 27 trophy recipients.
Salvito’s Pizza Bar
/in Eats, Neil Hodgson, Nelson, Restaurants /by Neil HodgsonWhen John Esposito opened a pizza bar named after his two sons (Salvi and Vito) he was determined to bring authentic Italian flavours that reflect his family’s heritage and he has done exactly that with spectacular success. The pizzas at Salvito’s are wonderful.