Fontanafredda Asti DOCG NV $29 ★★★½

26 April 2017By Yvonne

With its pillowy mousse, sweet, musky, candied aromas edged with spice and lemon; it’s a tropical treat from Italy that’ll have your mouth watering in no time.  A positively demure 7% alc means you can treat yourself to a couple of glasses over lunch without being sent sideways. Sip with: Pear, blue cheese, candied walnut … Read More

Canvas column week commencing 14th August, 2016

26 April 2017By Yvonne

May I present three wines to get you through the last week of the Olympics. Fontanafredda Asti DOCG NV $29 ★★★½ With its pillowy mousse, sweet, musky, candied aromas edged with spice and lemon; it’s a tropical treat from Italy that’ll have your mouth watering in no time.  A positively demure 7% alc means you … Read More

Rock Ferry Brut Non-Vintage Chardonnay Pinot Noir

26 April 2017By Yvonne

Rock Ferry Brut Non-Vintage Chardonnay Pinot Noir $35 Made from organic vineyards owned by the Hutchison family, this blend of 60% Marlborough chardonnay and 40% Central Otago pinot noir is a rich, nutty, citrus-edged sparkling that has beautiful, biscuity complexity on the finish.  Fine and elegantly structured, it’s a magic méthode that tastes as it … Read More

Ernesto Catena Padrillos Malbec 2014 $24

26 April 2017By Yvonne

A label shouldn’t sway one, but merry-go-round ponies scampering on a pale blue background?  Who can resist?  ‘Padrillos’ means ‘stallion’ in Spanish, named after the wild herds that appeared in the dreams of Argentine winemaker Ernesto Catena.  Grown under the searing Mendoza sun, this Malbec oozes fresh plum, intense blackberry and lavender alongside concentrated, ripe … Read More

Earthkeepers Otiake Blend #1 2013 $30

26 April 2017By Yvonne

Here’s a gorgeously floral, delicately structured blend of pinot gris, riesling and gewürztraminer grown in the Waitaki Valley, one of the most unforgiving wine regions in the country.  Aromas of crushed shells, lemon pith, nashi pear, lychee, guava and white peach all lead to a juicy, spice-driven, richly textured and rather moody, magical wine.  It … Read More

Canvas column week commencing 20th August, 2016

26 April 2017By Yvonne

Spread your style-sense across the wines you serve.  Pop the cork.  Twist the cap.  Fash! On! Earthkeepers Otiake Blend #1 2013 $30 Here’s a gorgeously floral, delicately structured blend of pinot gris, riesling and gewürztraminer grown in the Waitaki Valley, one of the most unforgiving wine regions in the country.  Aromas of crushed shells, lemon … Read More

Tony Bish Skeetfield Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015 $55

26 April 2017By Yvonne

Bish’s name is synonymous with crafting some of New Zealand’s most iconic chardonnays and here’s his flagship creation under his solo brand.  Sourced from old, dry-farmed Mendoza clone fruit from Denis Gunn’s vineyard in Hawke’s Bay’s Ohiti district, it shows  layers of grapefruit pith, hazelnut, crisp, crunchy-fresh stonefruit marrying with soft, creamy notes in the … Read More

Two Hands Angels Share McLaren Vale Shiraz 2014 $39

26 April 2017By Yvonne

Immediately on the nose here’s a classic, juicy, meaty and spice-hefty wine that boasts bucketloads of bright berries and cocoa characters in the mouth as well.  For a vibrant, elegant, substantial shiraz that also leaves fine, chewy tannins on the finish – here’s your winner. Sip with: slow-cooked beef cheeks www.caros.co.nz

Brightwater Lord Rutherford Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $30

26 April 2017By Yvonne

Whenever Brightwater release a ‘Lord Rutherford’ you know it’s something pretty special.  Viticulturist Dale Springer nurtures the vines through each season, while winemaker Tom Southgate shepherds the fruit through the winery and into this bottle.  With its smoked passionfruit, soft herbs, citrus and marzipan notes, this is Sauvignon but not as we know it. Sip … Read More

Canvas column week commencing 27th August, 2016

26 April 2017By Yvonne

The Beatles sang All You Need Is Love.  I’d argue a glass of wine wouldn’t hurt… Brightwater Lord Rutherford Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $30 Whenever Brightwater release a ‘Lord Rutherford’ you know it’s something pretty special.  Viticulturist Dale Springer nurtures the vines through each season, while winemakerTom Southgate shepherds the fruit through the winery and … Read More