Published NZ Herald Sat 16 Jan 2016
What? How did it suddenly become the middle of January already? To ease the shock I suggest reaching for some tastebud-distracting deliciousness that’ll send you back to September in seconds flat.
Mansfield & Marsh Methode Traditionnelle Sparkling Wine NV $14.95
This is my new favourite bargain bubbly. It’s lifted and lemony on the nose, awash with creamy, nutty notes and has some delicious bready, biscuity complexity on the finish. There’s even a smidge of apple and oatcake happening too. Superb value here, and if the label was spruced up a tad, I’m sure it’d happily grace many an ice bucket this summer.
Kina Cliffs Nelson Pinot Noir 2013 $30
The instant I stuck my nose inside the glass, I was met with a whoomph of cherry-chocolate, smoked coconut, dried herb and peppery plushness. It’s been sixteen years since Julie and Alistair Ashcroft purchased their 4.5 hectare block overlooking Tasman Bay and twelve years since the vines took hold in the ground – yet they’ve only recently appeared on my radar. Clearly I’ve been missing something because gently-grippy, juicy, rasperry-driven pinot’s like this are a joy to drink. It’ll only improve through 2016 too.
Two Paddocks Central Otago Riesling 2014 $32 
How winemaker Dean Shaw manages to stuff the equivalent of an entire citrus orchard into a 750ml bottle is beyond me, but if you’re a fan of anything resembling a crunchy-crisp, lime and apple smash up, that also manages to be stylish and elegantly put together, then this has your name on it. Crafted from fruit grown in their Redbank vineyard in Earnscleugh, Central Otago, this delicious riesling has intense concentration, tautness and a hint of spice on the finish. Superb with sweet & sour fish slathered in fresh chilli and coriander.
