From the Pays D’Hérault comes this gloriously aromatic blend of Grenache Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Terret which bursts with lemon blossom, fresh lime and heaping wads of fresh herbs. Light, zesty and wakes up even the most sluggish of your senses. Darn lovely – serve chilled to impress your friends over some fromage and focaccia. … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Moulin de Gassac Viognier 2017 $22
Classic fresh-cut apricot aromatics, white nectarine, ripe peach and white pepper and loads of character coming through in this wine from southern France, an area extending from Provence to the Pyrenees Mountains and the border with Spain, which is now part of Occitani. The length of flavour is outstanding – clean, fresh and frolicksome. http://www.planetwine.co.nz
Moulin de Gassac Pont De Gassac Blanc 2017 $36
Looking for something lipsmackingly dry, apple-driven and crunchy-fresh? Then you’ve come to the correct cul de sac in the Moulin de Gassac. A blend of Grenache Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and a squeak of Terret and Viognier from the village of Villeveyracin the Thau Lagoon area of the Languedoc – it’s like a charge of … Read More
Tua Marina Marlborough Arneis 2016 & 2017 $30
How brilliant to finally find an Arneis specialist here in New Zealand. Lucky for us, Franzi Grab is obsessed with this tricky little Italian number from the northern Piedmont region, which is nicknamed ‘Little Rascal’ due to it regularly having hissy fits in the vineyard and not playing by the rules. Certified organic, Franzi now … Read More
Black Estate Home North Canterbury Chenin Blanc 2017 $45 5stars
The Naish family planted chenin blanc on their ‘Home’ vineyard back in 2011, and the vines thrive under the baking Waipara sun and those wild Nor’Easter winds. This is the fourth vintage made by their winemaker, Nicholas Brown, an obsessive fan of wines from the Mid-Loire Valley in France (where chenin and cabernet franc are … Read More
Queensberry Gardens Central Otago Chenin Blanc 2018 $27.50 4stars
Chenin Blanc has the unmistakeable aroma of rose apple and citrus blossom and, while its spiritual home is in France’s Loire Valley, it’s absolutely found its happy place in the Queensberry sub-region of Central Otago. Grown by Dean and Diana Harker, their tiny Chenin Blanc vineyard turns out a crisp, floral, softly spiced and gently … Read More
Waiana Estate Indian Summer Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2018 $21.99
Dry, dry, deliciously dry! Yet don’t be expecting anything subtle with this new release, because it has a nose erupting with vanilla, creaming soda, citrus and wild strawberries and all these things crash through onto the palate and leave you with a palate-exfoliatingly fresh mouthfeel and the unshakeable desire to keep on sipping. Produced by … Read More
Tohu Rewa Rosé Méthode Traditionnelle 2015 $40
This limited edition, pinot noir-based, vintage sparkler was created by the team from New Zealand’s most widely recognised 100% Maori-owned wine company, as a happy 20th birthday nod to no compromise. Collaborating with renown local artist Flox to design the label (and its gorgeous gift box), it features her vibrant, signature take on the native … Read More
Hummel Villányi Hárslevelü 2016
Hummel Villányi Hárslevelü 2016 $poa (4.5 stars) Hárslevelü (pronounce it however you like my friend) is a grape native to Hungary and it’s also known as Lindenblättriger in Austria, (where there are also tiny plantings). The name means “linden leaves”, referring to the Linden tree, often called ‘Lime’ trees in English but bear absolutely no … Read More
Scout Wines Nelson Pinot Gris 2018 $30
It’s all about texture, texture, texture here in this organically-grown gris from Nelson’s alluvial Hope gravels. On the nose it shows green nectarine, mineral, quince and chalky notes that all osmose through onto the palate in a fresh, grigio-style example. Fresh, crunchy, lean, foot-stomped and fermented in a combination of tanks and old barrels, with … Read More