The serviette was wrapped too tightly around my cutlery in the café the other day and it took ages to get it undone. It’s a battlefield out there.
Nobody’s Hero Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 $19.99
Crafted by the good folk at Framingham, Nobody’s Hero is a rather punked up pinot with a bullet belt, tight tartan pants and a Sid Vicious bum flap, but texts his mum every day and has more showers than is deemed cool. Packed with cherry-cola characters, tamarillo and rosehip tea and a dusting of cocoa, it’s pretty snazzy (sorry, sneery).
Sip with: sausage and lentil hotpot
www.framingham.co.nz
Fuedi Bizantini Passofino Pecorino 2016 $24.99
Sourced from the Terre di Chieti ICP of Abruzzo, this is the top example of Pecorino that the team at Bizantini produce each year. Sometimes known as ‘vissanello’, pecorino’s are known for having a lick of salinity, green herbs, apple, lemon zest and almond-like characters, and ultra-tangy acidity on the finish. It’s not something we see much of here in NZ, but I wish that wasn’t the case because I think it could be an awesome fish and chips wine.
Sip with: see above.
www.winedirect.co.nz
Cypress Terraces Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2013 $42
2013 had winemakers across Hawke’s Bay fizzing. It was perfection, especially if you were making syrah. Gus Lawson knew the fruit he’d harvested from his steep hillside site overlooking the Gimblett Gravels was gold and 4 years on, the proof is in the sipping. Velvety smooth and layered with the lightest pepper, violet and cocoa characters on top of masses of dark berries and prune, it’s a beautifully moody wine.
Sip with: lamb meatballs swimming in tomato, bacon and butterbean sauce.
