Rock into the weekend with these red rascal’s
Byrne Wines Little Brother Red 2016 $19
Here’s a toasty (and tasty) blend of syrah, viognier which also uses a splishy splash of chambourcin (shom-bore-sarn) to frisk up the flavour profile. Northland has a knack for turning out softly styled, savoury, earthy-toned, plump reds that clear the nose and soothe the throat and this is one of those. Light, plush and plenty easy to drink.
Sip with: a wedge of Whitestone Windsor Blue.
www.byrnewine.com
San Marzano ‘Talo’ Primitivo di Manduria 2014 $25
Primitivo swings both ways and this sexy little sip errs on the sweet, spicy and super-smooth side as opposed to the more dusty, masculine, leathery examples out there. Named after the Talo family who grew the grapes which made the majority of the wine in this bottle, it’s a red that sings sweetly but has something dry to add to every conversation. It’s like an Italian version of Morrissey in a bottle.
Sip with: Italian Pork Pastitsio.
www.sapori.co.nz
Heron’s Flight Sangiovese Reserve 2013 $60
Holy squid squirt Batman! This is quite possibly the inkiest, darkest wine I’ve sipped in forever. Glossy magenta-black in the glass and showing mountains of mellow, meaty magic, soft spices, a hint of soy, olive and gently dusty tannins to tie it all up on the way down.
Pricey, but oh so nicey from a New Zealand sangiovese specialist.
Sip with: Italian-style scotch eggs.
www.heronsflight.co.nz
