Old Mout Cranberry Cider 1.25lt $12 The thing I really like about this cider is that it’s not too sweet; in fact it has that delicious cheek-puckering astringency that cranberries are famous for. It’s also not too fizzy, so no carbonated explosions in the mouth every time you sip – it’s actually incredibly delicate and … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Tuatara London Porter
Tuatara London Porter 330ml $19.25x6pk Brewed using crystal, chocolate and roast malts, this beer oozes espresso, caramel and cocoa characters. I love the rich smoothness of the texture and how it coats the mouth in silky, savoury flavours which hang in the mid-palate long after you’ve swallowed. For stockists visit www.tuatarabrewing.co.nz Tuatara London Porter
Freixenet Cordon Negro
Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava $19 The Spanish sensation in the black bottle is celebrating its 150th “años” and it just keeps getting better. I think it’s actually leapt ahead in quality terms to what they were offering a decade ago. With its distinctive chalkiness and lemony-dry length this classic cava is a fantastic match with … Read More
Henkell Trocken Dry-Sec
Henkell Trocken Dry-Sec NV $17 This snappy German sparkling has been part of our supermarket-scape since aeons ago and I’m convinced Henkell Trocken is popular because it manages to blend taut minerality, nutty notes and a full, textural biscuity finish. Widely available.
Twin Islands Marlborough Chardonnay Pinot Noir Brut NV
Twin Islands Marlborough Chardonnay Pinot Noir Brut NV $20 One of my favourite local sparkling wines full stop. Lovely aromas of rising dough, almond meal and lemon pith. With delicate bead and a vibrant mousse it is rich and mouthfilling, dry yet wholly satisfying. Beautifully balanced with great persistence of flavour – make sure you … Read More
Everwild Reserve Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc NV
Everwild’s Reserve Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc NV is a far cry from a lot of the other unpleasant green and sweaty sparkling sav’s on the market because it’s a tasty example which boasts soft, tropical passionfruit and lime characters, and a tangy, dry spritzy length of flavour.
Everwild Reserve Sparkling Brut NV
The Everwild Reserve Sparkling Brut NV smells like marshmallow and fruit toast. It’s zingy and mineral-driven and while not as weighty in the mouth as the Riche, it has with some nutty complexity on the finish.
Everwild Reserve Sparkling Cuvee Riche NV
The Everwild Reserve Sparkling Cuveé Riche NVhas attractive aromas of white peach and summer flowers, elegant mid-palate weight and a spritzy, tangy length of flavour.
Millton Vineyard Muskats @ Dawn 2011
With a striking bottle design featuring a silver crown seal and an exclusive Kate Sylvester print on the label, Millton Vineyard’s Muskats @ Dawn 2011 ($22) is a “biologically produced” pearler from Gisborne which I hear was the surprise hit of the local wine and food festival this year. “We couldn’t keep up with demand – it … Read More
Is Purple Death the worst wine in the world?
There’s a bit of a survey making the rounds of the Twittersphere asking if Purple Death might be the worst wine ever made. I think that’s a tad harsh. Back when I was a teenager and it was the only thing I could afford that actually had any alcoholic strength; I thought it was pretty … Read More