The earthquake and aftershocks which struck Kaikoura and its surrounds have made doing business a tad tricky for some southern wineries. These three have vineyards right in the shake zone… Mahi Ward Farm Marlborough Pinot Gris 2015 $29.90 Mahi’s Brian Bicknell is the happiest man in all of Marlborough. I say this because I’ve never … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Framingham Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 $25
For the longest time I was such a vehement fan of Framingham’s rieslings that I forgot they were brilliant at producing pretty much every other variety under the sun too. Take this chardonnay for example. Gorgeous grapefruit, pineapple and peach layers buoy a backbone of creamy, brulee, cashew and panforte characters on the palate. Grown … Read More
Matahiwi Estate Wairarapa Chardonnay 2016 $23
I really love the bang and citrus tang of this wine. With nectarine and grapefruity intensity on the nose, and a squeak of smoke on the finish. Fresh, taut and citrusy, it’s exactly my kind of chardonnay. High winds around flowering time across the Wairarapa naturally keeping the yields in check, meaning those vines pour … Read More
Chard Farm Judge & Jury Central Otago Chardonnay 2015 $39
Most people carefully pick their way along the vertigo-inducing driveway leading to Chard Farm, praying for a punch-in-the-face pinot noir to calm their nerves. Whereas I think the perilous journey is more than well-rewarded with this outstanding chardonnay instead. Grown on their Lowburn vineyard, the fruit produces a solid mineral and spice backbone to stitch … Read More
Canvas column week commencing 10th Dec, 2016
Great chardonnay can come from all corners of our fair country and these three are single and ready for love… Chard Farm Judge & Jury Central Otago Chardonnay 2015 $39 Most people carefully pick their way along the vertigo-inducing driveway leading to Chard Farm, praying for a punch-in-the-face pinot noir to calm their nerves. Whereas … Read More
Carpene Malvolti Extra Dry Prosecco NV $29.95
Prosecco? Sweet? Not here at least. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find a drier, chalker, zestier example this side of the dark-skinned stump. A stump which happens to be near the historic areas of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, where the vineyards gro 100% glera grapes that are fermented to a positively demure 11% alcohol … Read More
Petane Station Gewurztraminer Rosé 2016 $30
Prepare for things to get cro-zay with this rosé. A collaboration between Petane Station and natural wine zealot’s Dirtoir, – this wacky wine is a gewurztraminer that’s had extra skin contact in the ferment and a splash of syrah to inject some perfectly pink colour. Aromas of pink peppercorn, fennel, musky raspberry notes and classic … Read More
Diemersdal Dubanville Pinotage 2015 $25
Just because it has pinot noir as it’s Dad, don’t be lulled into thinking pinotage going to be safe as a cardigan and slippers, oh no. Its mum is crazy old cinsault and she injects some meaty tannins, deep plum, concentrated berry and chocolate flavours, which make this an utterly unputdownable (technical term there) red … Read More
Canvas column week commencing 17th Dec, 2016
Are your tastebuds becoming a tad too complacent? Slacking off when you need them the most? They need a good kick up the nono, and these are the wines for the job… Diemersdal Dubanville Pinotage 2015 $25 Just because it has pinot noir as it’s Dad, don’t be lulled into thinking pinotage going to … Read More
Tesch Krone Riesling 2013 $39
If riesling with a kiss of green apple, lime and ripe peachiness sounds like a bit of you, then wait until you sip this dry little dazzler. Tesch’s Krone vineyard in the town of Laubenheim, lies directly next to the Löhrer Berg on an eyewateringly steep slope consisting of coarse, decalcified loess and weathered sandstone … Read More