Think of today as a Tri Nations taste-fest on the sideline of wine. Aussie shiraz, South African chenin and Central Otago pinot compete with bling, bushvines and bursts of flavour.
Thomas Goss McLaren Vale Shiraz 2016 $18.99
Boasting more bling on its grill than Lil Wayne or Lil Bow Wow, or in fact any of the “Lil’s”, this shiraz has clearly shown it’s at the top of its game as far as wine competitions are concerned. Inky dark, glossy in the glass and bursting with boysenberry and blackcurrant characters on the nose and palate, it’s the dusting of pepper, eucalypt and redcurrant that add complexity to its long, spicy and luscious.
Sip with: Sticky, spicy, Greek beef stew.
www.firstglass.co.nz
Wet Jacket Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015 $39
Named by owner Greg Hay after Wet Jacket Arm in Fiordland National Park, it harks back to nature always having the upper hand. Well the grape gods were smiling on the fruit for this vintage, because its intensely luscious forest floor aromas burst out of the glass and do macarena with cherry, raspberry liquorice, redcurrant and masses of allspice. Fresh, plucky acidity keeps it buoyant in the mouth and it’s just super sexy.
Sip with: Vietnamese duck salad.
www.wetjacket.co.nz
Badenhorst Secateurs Swartland Chenin Blanc 2017 $25.99
Hand harvested from nuggety old bushvines growing on grantite slopes, this Swartland chenin blanc is ultra-elegant and saturates the nose and palate with beautiful baked apple and spice, caramelised, creaminess, rich, generous and apple-pie like. The acidity is fresh and frisky and its seriously lovely to drink. South African chenin blanc is now a firm favourite of mine.
Sip with: Spicy chicken enchiladas.
www.glengarrywines.co.nz
