Joelle Thomson
[/av_textblock] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-jyqb2uhp’ admin_preview_bg=”]Joelle Thomson is a journalist, wine writer and author who lives in Wellington and is the author of 16 wine books (published by New Holland and HarperCollins). She has the Wine & Spirit Education Trust’s highest qualification, the Level 4 Diploma and has taught levels 1, 2 and 3 for the NZ School of Food & Wine and judged at wine shows since 1995 in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. She loves the great outdoors. She trained in journalism at Wellington Polytech’ on an old fashioned typewriter in 1989. Her turangawaewae is the South Island.
[/av_textblock] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-jyqbcd25′ admin_preview_bg=”] [/av_textblock] [/av_one_third] [av_one_third min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ row_boxshadow=” row_boxshadow_color=” row_boxshadow_width=’10’ link=” linktarget=” link_hover=” padding=’0px’ highlight=” highlight_size=” border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ column_boxshadow=” column_boxshadow_color=” column_boxshadow_width=’10’ background=’bg_color’ background_color=” background_gradient_color1=” background_gradient_color2=” background_gradient_direction=’vertical’ src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_breaking=” mobile_display=” av_uid=’av-16zd4y’] [av_image src=’https://www.toptastes.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/V1C2665.jpg’ attachment=’5042′ attachment_size=’full’ align=’center’ styling=’circle’ hover=” link=’manually,/contributors/neil-hodgson/’ target=” caption=” font_size=” appearance=” overlay_opacity=’0.4′ overlay_color=’#000000′ overlay_text_color=’#ffffff’ copyright=” animation=’no-animation’ av_uid=’av-jyqayiew’ admin_preview_bg=”][/av_image] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-jyqb2uhp’ admin_preview_bg=”]Neil Hodgson
[/av_textblock] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-jyqb2uhp’ admin_preview_bg=”]I consider myself a columnist with a particular specialty in wine and food, I have been writing about wine for The Nelson Mail since 2000 and about food and beverage since 2015. I write for several publications and taste many wines each week, some are sent as samples by wine companies, some are from our cellar, some we buy and others dinner guests bring along to share with us. I will publish tasting notes for most of them. I am a member of Wine Writers of New Zealand and devout lover of all styles of food, wine, beer and whiskey.
[/av_textblock] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-jyqbcd25′ admin_preview_bg=”] [/av_textblock] [/av_one_third] [av_one_third min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ row_boxshadow=” row_boxshadow_color=” row_boxshadow_width=’10’ link=” linktarget=” link_hover=” padding=’0px’ highlight=” highlight_size=” border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ column_boxshadow=” column_boxshadow_color=” column_boxshadow_width=’10’ background=’bg_color’ background_color=” background_gradient_color1=” background_gradient_color2=” background_gradient_direction=’vertical’ src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_breaking=” mobile_display=” av_uid=’av-arlp82′] [av_image src=’https://www.toptastes.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/IMG_5872-e1558043817968.jpg’ attachment=’5043′ attachment_size=’full’ align=’center’ styling=’circle’ hover=” link=’manually,/contributors/phil-parker/’ target=” caption=” font_size=” appearance=” overlay_opacity=’0.4′ overlay_color=’#000000′ overlay_text_color=’#ffffff’ copyright=” animation=’no-animation’ av_uid=’av-jyqayiew’ admin_preview_bg=”][/av_image] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-jyqb2uhp’ admin_preview_bg=”]Phil Parker
[/av_textblock] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-jyqb2uhp’ admin_preview_bg=”]Wine journalist and published author, Phil Parker has a wine career involving both writing and hosting Auckland region wine tours. He established Auckland’s original boutique wine tour business, Fine Wine Tours in 2001. Phil writes a regular monthly column for Auckland’s Ponsonby News, plus a quarterly medical industry glossy magazine wine column. He has also written freelance articles for the NZ Herald and Homestyle magazine, plus he regularly posts wine related stories on his blog.
[/av_textblock] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-jyqbcd25′ admin_preview_bg=”] [/av_textblock] [/av_one_third] [av_hr class=’invisible’ height=’50’ shadow=’no-shadow’ position=’center’ custom_border=’av-border-thin’ custom_width=’50px’ custom_border_color=” custom_margin_top=’30px’ custom_margin_bottom=’30px’ icon_select=’yes’ custom_icon_color=” icon=’ue808′ font=’entypo-fontello’ av_uid=’av-jyqbusp8′ admin_preview_bg=”] [av_one_third first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ row_boxshadow=” row_boxshadow_color=” row_boxshadow_width=’10’ link=” linktarget=” link_hover=” padding=’0px’ highlight=” highlight_size=” border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ column_boxshadow=” column_boxshadow_color=” column_boxshadow_width=’10’ background=’bg_color’ background_color=” background_gradient_color1=” background_gradient_color2=” background_gradient_direction=’vertical’ src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_breaking=” mobile_display=” av_uid=’av-1fg5cy’] [av_image src=’https://www.toptastes.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/HOPGOODS-2652-240×300.jpg’ attachment=’4727′ attachment_size=’full’ align=’center’ styling=’circle’ hover=” link=’manually,/contributors/aaron-ballantyne/’ target=” caption=” font_size=” appearance=” overlay_opacity=’0.4′ overlay_color=’#000000′ overlay_text_color=’#ffffff’ copyright=” animation=’no-animation’ av_uid=’av-jyqayiew’ admin_preview_bg=”][/av_image] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-jyqb2uhp’ admin_preview_bg=”]Aaron Ballantyne
[/av_textblock] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-jyqb2uhp’ admin_preview_bg=”]Aaron Ballantyne is the Head Chef at Hopgood’s & Co in Nelson. He has been crafting beautiful multi-award winning food at Hopgood’s since 2007 and along with Chef patron Kevin Hopgood, has elevated the restaurant to Cuisine Two Hat status. Aaron and Kevin also mentor young chefs ensuring anyone who works with them gains skills that will set them on a path to success somewhere in the world. Aaron is kindly supplying recipes for Top Tastes.
[/av_textblock] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-jyqbcd25′ admin_preview_bg=”] [/av_textblock] [/av_one_third] [av_one_third min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ row_boxshadow=” row_boxshadow_color=” row_boxshadow_width=’10’ link=” linktarget=” link_hover=” padding=’0px’ highlight=” highlight_size=” border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ column_boxshadow=” column_boxshadow_color=” column_boxshadow_width=’10’ background=’bg_color’ background_color=” background_gradient_color1=” background_gradient_color2=” background_gradient_direction=’vertical’ src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_breaking=” mobile_display=” av_uid=’av-1fg5cy’] [av_image src=’https://www.toptastes.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Simon-Wood2.jpg’ attachment=’5047′ attachment_size=’full’ align=’center’ styling=’circle’ hover=” link=’manually,/contributors/simon-wood/’ target=” caption=” font_size=” appearance=” overlay_opacity=’0.4′ overlay_color=’#000000′ overlay_text_color=’#ffffff’ copyright=” animation=’no-animation’ av_uid=’av-jyqayiew’ admin_preview_bg=”][/av_image] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-jyqb2uhp’ admin_preview_bg=”]Simon Wood
[/av_textblock] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-jyqb2uhp’ admin_preview_bg=”]Simon Wood, the son of the late NZ wine merchant and writer Hugh Wood, has been involved in the NZ wine and beers industries in retail, consultancy and writing on and off for 25 years. He lives in the idyllic small Waikato town of Te Aroha with his partner and their 2 rescue cats. His mother Bev is a children’s and travel writer who also used to write wine columns.
[/av_textblock] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-jyqbcd25′ admin_preview_bg=”] [/av_textblock] [/av_one_third] [av_one_third min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ row_boxshadow=” row_boxshadow_color=” row_boxshadow_width=’10’ link=” linktarget=” link_hover=” padding=’0px’ highlight=” highlight_size=” border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ column_boxshadow=” column_boxshadow_color=” column_boxshadow_width=’10’ background=’bg_color’ background_color=” background_gradient_color1=” background_gradient_color2=” background_gradient_direction=’vertical’ src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_breaking=” mobile_display=” av_uid=’av-1fg5cy’] [av_image src=’https://www.toptastes.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Bev-Wood-2-e1560134615472-300×300.jpg’ attachment=’5049′ attachment_size=’full’ align=’center’ styling=’circle’ hover=” link=’manually,/contributors/bev-wood/’ target=” caption=” font_size=” appearance=” overlay_opacity=’0.4′ overlay_color=’#000000′ overlay_text_color=’#ffffff’ copyright=” animation=’no-animation’ av_uid=’av-jyqayiew’ admin_preview_bg=”][/av_image] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-jyqb2uhp’ admin_preview_bg=”]Bev Wood
[/av_textblock] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-jyqb2uhp’ admin_preview_bg=”]In the early days in my hometown of Hamilton the dining experiences were limited to milk bars or tearooms. Now we have a large array of excellent cafes and restaurants from fine dining to cheap and cheerful and everything in between. Besides food and wine, reading, writing and talking, travel is a great passion and has led me to try many strange and wonderful dishes from one side of the world to the other. And I love it all.
[/av_textblock] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-jyqbcd25′ admin_preview_bg=”] [/av_textblock] [/av_one_third] [av_hr class=’invisible’ height=’50’ shadow=’no-shadow’ position=’center’ custom_border=’av-border-thin’ custom_width=’50px’ custom_border_color=” custom_margin_top=’30px’ custom_margin_bottom=’30px’ icon_select=’yes’ custom_icon_color=” icon=’ue808′ font=’entypo-fontello’ av_uid=’av-jyqbusp8′ admin_preview_bg=”] [av_one_third first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ row_boxshadow=” row_boxshadow_color=” row_boxshadow_width=’10’ link=” linktarget=” link_hover=” padding=’0px’ highlight=” highlight_size=” border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ column_boxshadow=” column_boxshadow_color=” column_boxshadow_width=’10’ background=’bg_color’ background_color=” background_gradient_color1=” background_gradient_color2=” background_gradient_direction=’vertical’ src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_breaking=” mobile_display=” av_uid=’av-1fg5cy’] [av_image src=’https://www.toptastes.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Angis-champagne-bw.jpg’ attachment=’5143′ attachment_size=’full’ align=’center’ styling=’circle’ hover=” link=’manually,/contributors/angie-atkinson /’ target=” caption=” font_size=” appearance=” overlay_opacity=’0.4′ overlay_color=’#000000′ overlay_text_color=’#ffffff’ copyright=” animation=’no-animation’ av_uid=’av-jyqayiew’ admin_preview_bg=”][/av_image] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-jyqb2uhp’ admin_preview_bg=”]Angie Atkinson
[/av_textblock] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-jyqb2uhp’ admin_preview_bg=”]Previously a succuessful restaurateur in Wanaka and Auckland, Angie is now a well known wine industry professional with a reputation for wearing killer high heels. Having spent the past ten years working with many outstanding New Zealand and International brands, she is currently the National Sales Manager for Prophet’s Rock Wines from Central Otago.
[/av_textblock] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-jyqbcd25′ admin_preview_bg=”] [/av_textblock] [/av_one_third] [av_one_third min_height=” vertical_alignment=’av-align-top’ space=” margin=’0px’ margin_sync=’true’ row_boxshadow_color=” row_boxshadow_width=’10’ link=” linktarget=” link_hover=” padding=’0px’ padding_sync=’true’ highlight_size=’1.1′ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ radius_sync=’true’ column_boxshadow_color=” column_boxshadow_width=’10’ background=’bg_color’ background_color=” background_gradient_color1=” background_gradient_color2=” background_gradient_direction=’vertical’ src=” attachment=” attachment_size=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_breaking=” mobile_display=” av_uid=’av-1fg5cy’] [av_image src=’https://www.toptastes.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/nick-bio-pic-small.jpg’ attachment=’5299′ attachment_size=’full’ align=’center’ styling=’circle’ hover=” link=’manually,/contributors/nick-widley/’ target=” caption=” font_size=” appearance=” overlay_opacity=’0.4′ overlay_color=’#000000′ overlay_text_color=’#ffffff’ copyright=” animation=’no-animation’ av_uid=’av-jyqayiew’ admin_preview_bg=”][/av_image] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-jyqb2uhp’ admin_preview_bg=”]Nick Widley
[/av_textblock] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-jyqb2uhp’ admin_preview_bg=”]Nick Widley Co Owner of Cod & Lobster Brasserie and Kismet Whisky & Cocktail Bar has had a colorful career in the hospitality industry over the past 15 years. Originally training as a chef in the UK, then ventured beyond the kitchen where he found his place behind the bar cultivating a passion for classic cocktails and a strong desire to learn everything he could about the world of liquor.
[/av_textblock] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-jyqbcd25′ admin_preview_bg=”] [/av_textblock] [/av_one_third] [av_one_third min_height=” vertical_alignment=’av-align-top’ space=” margin=’0px’ margin_sync=’true’ row_boxshadow_color=” row_boxshadow_width=’10’ link=” linktarget=” link_hover=” padding=’0px’ padding_sync=’true’ highlight_size=’1.1′ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ radius_sync=’true’ column_boxshadow_color=” column_boxshadow_width=’10’ background=’bg_color’ background_color=” background_gradient_color1=” background_gradient_color2=” background_gradient_direction=’vertical’ src=” attachment=” attachment_size=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_breaking=” mobile_display=” av_uid=’av-1fg5cy’] [av_image src=’https://www.toptastes.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/WWF-logo_sml-300×300.jpg’ attachment=’6674′ attachment_size=’medium’ align=’center’ styling=’circle’ hover=” link=’page,6668′ target=” caption=” font_size=” appearance=” overlay_opacity=’0.4′ overlay_color=’#000000′ overlay_text_color=’#ffffff’ copyright=” animation=’no-animation’ av_uid=’av-jyqayiew’ admin_preview_bg=”][/av_image] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-jyqb2uhp’ admin_preview_bg=”]The Wellington Wine & Food Society Inc
[/av_textblock] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-jyqb2uhp’ admin_preview_bg=”] The Wellington Wine & Food Society Inc is a group of people who love everything that is good and great about wine and food, not necessarily high-end, expensive food but beautiful food prepared with care by some very talented people. The reviews posted here are of functions organised by the Society and many dishes are created especially for them.[/av_textblock] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-jyqbcd25′ admin_preview_bg=”] [/av_textblock] [/av_one_third][av_hr class=’invisible’ height=’50’ shadow=’no-shadow’ position=’center’ custom_border=’av-border-thin’ custom_width=’50px’ custom_border_color=” custom_margin_top=’30px’ custom_margin_bottom=’30px’ icon_select=’yes’ custom_icon_color=” icon=’ue808′ font=’entypo-fontello’ av_uid=’av-jyqbusp8′ admin_preview_bg=”] [av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ row_boxshadow=” row_boxshadow_color=” row_boxshadow_width=’10’ link=” linktarget=” link_hover=” padding=’0px’ highlight=” highlight_size=” border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ column_boxshadow=” column_boxshadow_color=” column_boxshadow_width=’10’ background=’bg_color’ background_color=” background_gradient_color1=” background_gradient_color2=” background_gradient_direction=’vertical’ src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_breaking=” mobile_display=” av_uid=’av-1x5slu’] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-jyqdo7rk’ admin_preview_bg=”]
About our Contributors
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- Contributors to the website do not accept payment for reviews, all reviews are unbiased and the
opinion of the contributor. - Contributors are not paid by Top Tastes but some of the reviews may have been published
previously by the contributor in a publication that paid for the content. - Contributors don’t have a commercial interest in any of the producers/restaurants/bars/cafes they choose to review.
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