El Quintanal Tempranillo 2014 $19.95 (3.5 stars)

30 March 2017By Yvonne

Packed to the cork with ripe red berries, comforting christmas cake spices, caramelised, truffle-like earthiness, hints of vanilla and even a squeak of liquorice manages to snuggle in there too.  Here’s a deeply warming, comforting wine from Spain’s Ribera del Duero region, which works deliciously well with chicken and sweet capsicum stirfry. www.moorewilsons.co.nz

Dunleavy The Grafter Waiheke Island Syrah 2014 $45.90 (4.5 stars)

30 March 2017By Yvonne

Brothers Paul, John and Mike Dunleavy are at the helm of the company alongside their father Terry Dunleavy MBE – this family have championed island syrah since the get-go. If there was a ‘Waiheke’s Got Talent’ contest, I’d DEFINITELY text in my vote for syrah. Aged for 12 months in smoky French oak, this syrah … Read More

Clark Estate Marlborough Noble Pinot Gris 2013 375ml $13.50 (5 stars)

30 March 2017By Yvonne

Very sexy and golden in the glass, with a glossy yellow diamond colour, there’s an instant “I want that now!” desire as soon as you see it poured.  Aromas of honey, beeswax and musk lead to roast quince, peach and pear on the palate.  The acidity is refreshing and balances out the intense natural sweetness … Read More

Delta Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $22 (4.5 stars)

30 March 2017By Yvonne

With its sweet pea, lemon and passionfruit aromas, this snappy sauvignon follows up with a softly fruited, tang-fest on the tongue. Made by star wine consultant Matt Thomson and sourced from a single vineyard in the Dillons Point sub-region – this sauvignon has herbaceousness, classic red capsicum and jalapeno characters and serious sippability. For info … Read More

Wine column for week beginning Sat 31 December, 2016

30 March 2017By Yvonne

If I had a dollar for every time someone said to me, when quizzed on their thoughts about a wine, “I dunno, I’m useless at wine tasting, it’s kind of just winey”, then I’d probably have enough for a night on the town.   Now I’m the first to admit that I tend to go overboard … Read More

Champagne Bertrand Senecourt Beau Joie Sugar King $114.90 (4.5 stars)

30 March 2017By Yvonne

If the slick, metallic black, Fifty Shades of Grey, B&D-style packaging doesn’t tickle your fancy then brace yourself for a massive palate tease as soon as you sip.  Despite the label implying it’s going to be a lolly-fest, this Champagne is actually more balanced and creamy than I expected.  Macadamia nuts, rising brioche dough and … Read More

Johner Estate Gladstone Viognier 2015 $26 (4.5 stars)

30 March 2017By Yvonne

One thing I’ve been treating myself to, as my family scoffs its way through our enormous 10+kilo Christmas ham, is some really excellent viognier.  Viognier has the spicy floral aromatics of say, pinot gris, combined with the tropical, toasty richness of chardonnay, which makes it absolutely divine with any type of swine.  This is one … Read More

Riverby Estate Marlborough Noble Riesling 2014 $35 (5 stars)

30 March 2017By Yvonne

The glossy coppery-topaz colour of this wine is exactly the type of sparkly-type of thing that lures women like me into all sorts of potentially un-ladylike activity.  It smells like that glorious mélange of mixed peel, currants, raisins and sultanas soaking in masses of melted butter and booze that is ones traditional Christmas cake batter, … Read More

Gibson Bridge Reserve Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2014 $28 (4 stars)

30 March 2017By Yvonne

If you thought that gewürztraminer was always going to be blousy, sweet and musky; then prepare for an eye-popper in every sip.  Dry, tangy, yet lean and lithe on the palate with an edge of lychee, manuka honey and a sprinkling of dusty, chalkiness on the finish.  It’s a style of gewürztraminer grown on the … Read More