Wine Friend: The drinking buddy that delivers

Yvonne Lorkin’s kitchen bench is awash with pinot gris. Nine bottles, she counts. “But I’m standing over the sink,” says the Hastings-based wine expert. “I’m spitting it all out!” There are more than 700 wineries in New Zealand. Every week, between 12 and 36 new releases hit the market. How does the consumer know what’s good – and what’s not? You could read the reviews. Look at the price, the number of gold sticky stars on the label and consider the winemaker’s reputation. But none of those things, says Lorkin, will account for your individual taste buds.