Rock Ferry Organic Marlborough Brut Pinot Blanc 2020

July 17, 2023By Yvonne

Rock Ferry Organic Marlborough Brut Pinot Blanc 2020 $35 Now this is something you don’t see every day. Rare, unusual and super-exciting, a tiny block of organic pinot blanc (a mutation of pinot noir) was hand-harvested, whole-bunch pressed to retain its delicacy, gently fermented in stainless steel to capture its signature white florals and citrus … Read More

Villa Maria Sparkling Cuvée Brut NV

December 6, 2022By Yvonne

Villa Maria Sparkling Cuvée Brut NV $20 Paired with Summer Corn and Avocado Salad with pesto by Annabel Langbein in the NZ Herald CANVAS magazine Sat December 10 2022. Brand new from the Villa stable comes a lemon shortbread-scented sparkler made from chardonnay and pinot noir that’s smooth, nutty, ultra-creamy and perfect with the richness of … Read More

Abbey Estate Bridge Pa Flirt Brut NV

August 25, 2022By Yvonne

Abbey Estate Bridge Pa Flirt Brut NV $40 Crafted in a blanc de blanc style by winemaker Dermot Haworth, this is an extremely refined, elegant, cleansing and crammed with class. Creamy almond and rising dough notes combine with crisp lemon and green apple goodness, while the bubbles are pinprick-fine and create tiny, delicate beading as … Read More

Domaine Joël Delaunay Methode Traditionnelle Brut NV

June 3, 2022By Yvonne

Domaine Joël Delaunay Methode Traditionnelle Brut NV $34.99 From the Touraine region and crafted predominantly from chardonnay, this softly-styled sparkler sings with subtle shortbread, almond and lemon layers which morph into fresh rockmelon and peach notes on the palate. Apple, nougat and rising dough characters permeate the finish. Nicely done. Wine Circle  

Rock Ferry Central Otago Brut Rosé 2016

August 24, 2021By Yvonne

Rock Ferry Central Otago Brut Rosé 2016 ($55) Crafted by Allan McWilliams, this certified organic bottle of rose gold gorgeousness packs a punch on the palate right from the get-go. With subtle aromas of berry bagel dough, crushed almonds and lemon pith and a lick of Shrewsbury Biscuit and with flavours leaning toward the deliciously … Read More

O:TU Limited Release Methode Traditionelle Blanc de Blanc Brut 2018

December 16, 2020By Yvonne

O:TU Limited Release Methode Traditionelle Blanc de Blanc Brut 2018 $36 Crafted entirely from chardonnay, this biscuity, cashew-edged, creamy example is laced with lemon and finishes with a toasty, nutty line. Smooth and textural, with fine, delicate beading and a persistent, very pleasurable mousse. http://www.otuwine.com  

Masottina Prosecco DOC Treviso Vino Spumante Brut NV

November 16, 2020By Yvonne

Masottina Prosecco DOC Treviso Vino Spumante Brut NV $19.99 No joke, when this multi-award-winning wine is first poured, the tiny links of delicate bubbles are wriggling and twisting so energetically, they look like they’re doing a Zumba class inside the glass. With its soft, summer-flowers and lemon blossom aromatics, pillowy texture and generous, suede-like citrus … Read More

Veuve Laperrière Blanc de Blancs Brut NV

October 4, 2018By Yvonne

Veuve Laperrière Blanc de Blancs Brut NV $18 If you’re looking for a rich, creamy, cashewy, peachy bubbles with a hint of sweetness and a complete lack of wallet-impact then you’ve come to the right cul de sac.  Made entirely from chardonnay (that’s where the peachiness comes from), it’s a grin-inducing, biscuity little sip that … Read More

Rock Ferry Brut Non-Vintage Chardonnay Pinot Noir

April 26, 2017By Yvonne

Rock Ferry Brut Non-Vintage Chardonnay Pinot Noir $35 Made from organic vineyards owned by the Hutchison family, this blend of 60% Marlborough chardonnay and 40% Central Otago pinot noir is a rich, nutty, citrus-edged sparkling that has beautiful, biscuity complexity on the finish.  Fine and elegantly structured, it’s a magic méthode that tastes as it … Read More

Champagne Cristian Senez Cuvee Renoir Brut $45 (4 stars)

April 5, 2017By Yvonne

Where has this champagne been all my life?  With its pale gold hue, ultra-fine bead, pillowy, creamy mousse and enticing aromas of milk chocolate, lemon, fresh rising dough and delicately toasted almonds, it’s swoon-inducing from the first sip.  It may rock an old-school label, but it’s a fresh, 50:50 pinot noir/chardonnay blend with vibrant acidity, … Read More