Want change out of $30 on your wine this weekend? Reward your savvy purchasing power with a Moro bar from the dairy. Or two Moro bars, because you can.
Middle Earth Nelson Pinot Noir 2014 $24
Ryan O’Connell did a very clever thing naming his wines after the Tolkien-inspired locale, because now they’re a firm favourite with hobbit fans. The 50-year-old family dairy farm was converted to grapegrowing some year’s back and they contract grew for big brands until deciding to hold the best fruit and have a crack at bottling their own. This pinot has forest floor, dark berries and broody spices, soft, grainy tannins.
Sip with: tuna tartare.
www.middleearthwine.com
Hawkshead Central Otago Riesling 2014 $28
This stony, sun-baked pocket of perfection regularly reveals racy, riotously good riesling. Winemaker Dean Shaw has captured intense lime, grapefruit and mandarin flavours dusted with quartz and flint to create this luscious, lip-smacking sip. Owner Denis Marshal is an ex minister of Conservation, Minister of Lands and the Associate Minister of Agriculture, so he’s totally devoted to sustainability in his vineyards.
Sip with: spicy, coriander-laden seafood salad.
www.hawksheadwine.co.nz
Matawhero Church House Gisborne Malbec 2015 $26
A huge lift of berries and cocoa on the nose lead to a fulsome and lush impression in the mouth. The Searle family are building quite a reputation for magic malbec with fresh acidity, rosehip, cranberry and pepper flavours and a smooth, incredibly textural spicy finish.
Sip with: Rare Beef Tataki.
www.matawhero.co.nz
