Published NZ Herald Sat 30 Jan 2016
Well that’s it then. January’s over, the kids head back to school next week and routine will reign again. But this is no time to get all normal when it comes to your wine however. Push the boat out with these babies…
Champagne Lanson Black Label Brut NV $50-$60
I first tasted Lanson (Lon-son) back in the mid 1990’s when my boyfriend at the time won a dozen bottles for being a clever advertising guy or something, and its been a firm favourite ever since. The winemaker is Hervé Dantan (Don-ton) and he’s crafted this classic blend of 50% pinot noir, 35% chardonnay and 15% pinot meunier into an ultra-elegant, lemon shortbread scented sparkler that has a finely tuned creamy, nutty character in the mid-palate and a long, toasty finish. Fresh finesse from France for around fifty dollars – gotta love that.
Paddy Borthwick Falloon Block Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2014 $22
The Borthwick’s are Wairarapa pioneers in farming and grapegrowing and that they’re able to produce such fresh and fabulous pinot noir at this price is testament to their vast experience on the land. Classic black tea, seasoned leather, black guava and spicy cherry flavours merge with a gutsy, grippy, youthful texture in the mouth. The wine has solid persistence of flavour and works beautifully with thyme-roasted field mushrooms.
Ant MacKenzie Toño Hawke’s Bay Moscatel 2014 $17.95
Here’s a snappy little sweetie for all you fans of super-fruity, tropical taste sensations. Sourced from Ant’s Craft Farm vineyard in Havelock North, muscatel is a grape that oozes stonefruit and musky spices – so if you’re a fan of sweeter sparkling wines such as Asti Spumanti, then think of this as just like that minus the bubbles. It’s a zesty, tangy aperitif that’ll kickstart your tastebuds into action for any occasion.
