Ah it’s the weekend. My Soc Med-mad teens will no doubt “dab” their way through loads of “lit” YouTube clips, the best of which will be dubbed “legit-ness”. And when I unplug the wifi and demand they go out and get a job, apparently I’ll just be telling a “cool story”. Time to sip and sigh methinks…
Nga Waka Martinborough Dry Riesling 2013 $25
Lemongrass, lime and tangelo zest aromas osmose onto the palate in a wave of cheek-puckering dryness in this tang-fest of a wine. There’s also a waft of beeswax and honeysuckle sneaking through as you take the glass away from your lips. A couple of years in the bottle has this wine developing nicely into a cleansing, beautifully bony drop that will reinvigorate even the ropiest of riesling resistors.
Sip with: Fresh snapper baked with tomatillos and jalapenos
www.ngawaka.co.nz
Sacred Hill Halo Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 $25
Holy moly! How do I even begin describing how glorious this wine smells? Here goes: Vanilla bean, ultra-ripe berries, dark cocoa powder and plum – almost like a liquid Jelly-Tip inside the glass. To drink, it’s incredibly fresh, vibrant and boasts sinewy, muscular tannins and a marathon-like finish.
Sip with: Garlic studded Roast Lamb
Two Rivers Wairau Selection Marlborough Pinot Gris 2015 $25
There’s a sea of pinot gris out there and it can feel like a bit of a lottery trying to find one that ticks all your boxes. Yet here’s one that somehow manages to pack ripe, musky pear, quince and strudel spices into the bottle alongside a canon of crunchy-crisp nashi notes, a bright, mineral edge and a long, juicy finish.
Sip with: duck liver pate and brioche
www.tworivers.co.nz
