Sometimes when I’m in the supermarket wine aisle, I like to stand back and sneakily watch what people are buying and how they’re buying it. Yes, it’s slightly creepy behavior I’ll admit, but it’s amazing the patterns that emerge. There’s one group of people who appear to know exactly what they’ve come for and make a bee-line for that bottle, intently blocking out all other distraction. That’s their wine, the wine they know and trust, old faithful basically. There are others who just go directly for whatever has the most attractive price tag on it. Usually something around $8 with a hideous label, but they’re completely happy and that’s all good with me. What’s not always good with me is the enormous amount of people who tend to gravitate to bottles with shiny medal-stickers slapped on the front and pop them into their trolleys without a second thought.
Don’t get me wrong, as a long-time senior wine show judge, I can hand-on-heart say that competition awards are a really good indicator of a wine’s quality. It means a team of experienced judges have dubbed it a medal-worthy example of the style. Just please make sure you look very carefully at that shiny sticker and don’t take any old gold foil at face value.
- Trust medals from established and reputable wine competitions. Locally, the Air New Zealand Wine Awards, The Easter Show and the NZ International Wine Show for example are highly respected. The Mudgee Farmers Association Wine Show? Possibly not.
- Medal endorsements from Dish, Cuisine and WineNZ magazines are solid and independent.
- Make sure the award is current and for exactly the wine you’re holding in your hand. Not just a sticker saying something like ‘winery of the year 2003’ in fine print.
- Check that gold is actually gold and not bronze. There’s nothing wrong with bronze of course, it’s just the two colours can appear very similar on some medal stickers.
Single Malt Magic Cometh
New Zealand single malt lovers will be among the first in the world to purchase the limited edition Ardbeg Dark Cove on Ardbeg Day, Saturday 28th May. Zealous whisky connoisseurs can purchase Ardbeg Dark Cove (RRP $179) from local Ardbeg Embassies around the nation from 11am on Saturday 28th May. Visit Ardbeg.com for more information.
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Velenosi Lacrima de Morro d’Alba 2014 $25 ★★★★
This is the first time I’ve ever tried the ‘Lacrima’ variety, and grows in Velenois’s own vineyards in the coastal municipality of Ancona in Italy’s Marche region. The bottle is a cute, stumpy shape that I love. Then the smell of roses, violets and cranberries and pomegranate all cascade into the palate and smash into tangy layers of damson plum. It’s unique and fresh and perfumed and pretty darn fabulous.
Toño Hawke’s Bay Tempranillo 2014 $25 ★★★★
With aromas of dust-covered blackberries, fresh tamarillo and peppercorn characters followed by a palate oozing ripe berries and chocolate, stacks up to create slippery-smooth, flavoursome, local example of a Spanish superstar. Juicy, vibrant and dangerously easy to drink.
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Millton Clos de Ste. Anne Gisborne Chardonnay 2014 $75 ★★★★★
This is one of those wines that makes me want to do a little dance as soon as I sniff it. It’s just a joy to drink if you get my drift. It’s like (and believe me I’m seriously sober writing this) the wine is giving you a little oral high-five with every sip. Golden and glittery in the glass and boasting aromas of brulee, grilled pineapple, roasted stonefruit and layers of taut, shortbready toastiness – it’s elegant, succulent and something chardonnay lovers should treat themselves to at their earliest possible convenience.
Matahiwi Estate Cuvee NV $22 ★★★★
In the past I haven’t been very welcoming of sparkling pinot gris. Nothing’s wowed me until now. Winemaker Jane Cooper and her team at Matahiwi have clearly cottoned on to something because this snazzy sparkler captures the lovely nashi, quince and musky characters pinot gris is famous for, but in a lean, subtle way. There’s a light, pillowy, marshmallow texture to the mid-palate and it’s ultra-refreshing on the finish. A superb example. www.matahiwi.co.nz
O:Tu Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $17 ★★★★
Wow! If you’re partial to green, green and more greeny goodness in your sauvignon blanc, then this may be just the wheel-spinner you’re looking for. Scented with intense jalapeno, basil and blackcurrant leaf and tomato stalk notes, followed by a smash of passionfruit and lime. Great value, crisp and crunchy.
