May I present three wines to get you through the last week of the Olympics.
Fontanafredda Asti DOCG NV $29 ★★★½
With its pillowy mousse, sweet, musky, candied aromas edged with spice and lemon; it’s a tropical treat from Italy that’ll have your mouth watering in no time. A positively demure 7% alc means you can treat yourself to a couple of glasses over lunch without being sent sideways.
Sip with: Pear, blue cheese, candied walnut and rocket salad
Matahiwi Holly Wairarapa Sauvignon Blanc 2014 $26 ★★★★★
One sip and I punched both fists in the air and yelled out “Jane Cooper is a genius!” Jane’s been creating award winning wines at Matahiwi since 2002 and when it comes to making darn glorious sauvignon, she’s a master. I love the intense nectarine, fresh mango and lime flavours that smash across the palate. It’s awesome.
Sip with: sashimi, ginger and fresh wasabi.
Blank Canvas Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 $45 ★★★★
Impenetrably inky in the glass, with a super-sexy sheen, I just wanted to devour it regardless of how it stacks up in the aroma and taste stakes. Often, to give syrah an aromatic boost, a splash of viognier is added to syrah (a la Côte Rôtie). However this peppery upstart has had 7.5% gruner veltliner skins injected instead to give an elegant, fleshy layer to the violet and berry-driven palate. Crazy yes. Tasty yes.
Sip with: Sticky, slow-cooked lamb shanks.
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