I remember a decade ago watching a programme called ‘Full-On Food’ on Food TV. It was hosted by a flame-haired foodie of Australian extraction by the name of Roxy Beaujolais. She’d come from running the front desk at Ronnie Scotts, to cooking and then becoming the landlady of a spectacular pub called the Seven Stars in Central London. She had bright crimson hair and tore around town with a camera in tow hunting out the perfect loaf of bread and such. She was late 40’s perhaps, highly knowledgeable and had given herself what I think could be the most fantastic name in television. It’s a name that reminded me of that self-quizz you do to find out what your porn star name might be. You know the one, where you put the name of your first-ever pet next to the name of the first street you remember living on? Don’t tell me you’ve never done it. You have so. Everyone’s done it.
While the name game is a lot of fun, it can also be a tad unfortunate, because if, like me, you end up with a moniker like ‘Sooty Lake’ then you’re handicapped from the get-go. No self-respecting smut director would hire someone that sounded so depressing. So I opted to join my second street and second pet. Sylvan Snowball sounds so much more exciting and I think it’s got merit. Roxy Beaujolais though, is really hard to beat.
But I’m not giving up. In fact I’m thinking of inventing a new name game. A game that’ll clean things up and make things more seemly. I’m thinking we could all try to find our own ‘wine star’ name instead. It’ll be easy. All you need to do is combine the names of your favourite wine style and that of your favourite kitchen accessory. That would mean I’d be either ‘Bubbles Peeler’ or ‘Sticky Corkscrew’ and my husband would be a man named ‘Merlot Muffin-Pan’. Actually, on second thoughts – ick, that’s even worse.
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Te Hera Reserve Martinborough Pinot Noir 2014 $42 (5 stars)
Prepare for a spice overload in this certified organic example from the lovely John Douglas at Te Hera. I say ‘lovely’ because he is quite possibly the smiliest man in all the Wairarapa. What he’s able to produce from his tiny Te Muna Terraces site is year-after-year is reliably delicious, like he’s some sort of a pinot shaman. This vintage is cherry-driven, with an edge of tamarillo and tea alongside a juicy, silky texture and a long impression on the finish. Delicious.
To buy phone 06 306 9018
Young Estate Bettie Bubbles Methode Traditionelle NV $34 (3.5 stars)
Hayley Young is the talent behind this golden, Gisborne-grown fizz which has had a couple of years to develop in the bottle. Subtle aromas of crushed cashews and rising dough surrender to soft citrus and caramelized characters which follow through on the palate. It’s a lightly-styled sparkles that has notes of baked apple on the finish. It’d be good with a chunk of aged gouda.
To buy email Hayley@youngestate.co.nz
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Supper Club Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 $22.99 (3.5 stars)
If you’re looking for a lightly-styled, lush, plush pinot noir that’s sewn together with spice, and rosehip tea, then this may be for you. It’s slippery and soft, with an earthy undertone and decent length of flavour and if you’re magicking up some creamy mushroom pasta then here’s your match.
For stockists near you phone Alastair Picton-Warlow on 0275799463
J. Riehl Vin D’Alsace Riesling 2015 $19.99 (3.5 stars)
Classic Germanic riesling style here, with loads of green apple and manuka honey notes, a layer of herbaceousness and white pepper and a long, tangy finish. It’s a great introduction to Alsatian riesling that’s on the crisp, dry scale of the spectrum and it’s a good choice to sip with chickpea and paneer korma.
www.winedirect.co.nz
Ara Resolute Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017 $22.99 (5 stars)
Oh wow! This is the kind of sauvignon blanc that gives me goosebumps. Absolutely heaving with herbaceous, lemongrassy lusciousness, passionfruit and sweaty, grassy goodness. Ripe, rich and rocking the lemonade and lime notes in every sip. Sourced from fruit grown in the confluence of the Wairau and Waihopai Rivers in Marlborough, it’s lifted and lovely to drink.
www.glengarrywines.co.nz
