Monowai Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2020

20 December 2020By Yvonne

Monowai Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2020 $24.99 2020 clearly shined bright on the grapes grown on the Ngaruroro River terraces by winemaker Emma Lowe and her Chilean viticulturist husband Marcelo Nunez. The high altitude, rocky, free-draining soils of the Matapiro sub-region inland west of Hastings, is superb for turning out tasty pinot gris. All the … Read More

Unison Maestro Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018

20 December 2020By Yvonne

Unison Maestro Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018 $32 Just 1733 bottles were made of this toasty mctoastfest of a chardonnay, so if you’re a fan of that oaky, nutty style then don’t dally! Crafted by a Gimblett Gravels producer best known for their stylish red wines, this well-made wine proves they’re no slouch in the chardonnay … Read More

Rabbit Ranch Bright Eyes Waipara White Pinot Noir 2020

18 December 2020By Yvonne

Rabbit Ranch Bright Eyes Waipara White Pinot Noir 2020 $23 Crafted from 100% Pinot Noir but with no skin contact, this generously delicious white wine style will shiver your timbers with white peach, pear, apple and quartzy, textural style. Clean yet full and awash with refreshing citrus and spice notes, it’s lovely. Don’t chill it … Read More

Greystone Organic Waipara Valley Rosé 2020

18 December 2020By Yvonne

Greystone Organic Waipara Valley Rosé 2020 $25 I am loving the depth of fruit in this roaring rosé from North Canterbury way. Certified organic, tank fermented and treated like royalty from berry to bottle, this rose has smooth, ripe, raspberry, watermelon, creaming soda and a cherry edge on the finish. It’s generously juicy and jam-packed … Read More

Riverby Estate Marlborough Chardonnay 2019

18 December 2020By Yvonne

Riverby Estate Marlborough Chardonnay 2019 $28 Tiny yields in 2019 mean this wine is one you should try to get your mits on sooner rather than later because a) it’s delicious and b) it’s going to be a rather long while before the 2020 hits the streets. Bursting with buttered crumpets, grapefruit, peach and pineapple … Read More

Wither Hills Marlborough Chardonnay 2019

17 December 2020By Yvonne

Wither Hills Marlborough Chardonnay 2019 $12.99 (on supermarket special) – $17.99 While previous vintages have shown more generosity in the peach, pineapple and citrus stakes, the 2019 is perfectly passable for that budget, please-the-crowds-at-weddings style that always has a place. To its credit it has a creamy texture and oodles of toasty, nutty notes which … Read More

Kereru Brewing Velocihoptor Hazy Pacific IPA

17 December 2020By Yvonne

Kereru Brewing Velocihoptor Hazy Pacific IPA Paired with Sticky Caramel, Black Pepper and Ginger Chicken in dish Issue 95 2020 Counter the sweetness of this recipe by injecting the ridiculously tasty hoppy resinosity, topicality and herbaceousness of the Kereru Velocihoptor Hazy Pacific IPA 330ml ($4.50) across it. Balanced out with creamy, nutty malts and a … Read More

Capital Cider Tokyo Rose Nelson Cider 440ml

17 December 2020By Yvonne

Capital Cider Tokyo Rose Nelson Cider 440ml $8 Hold the phone, stop the car and stone the crows, if the Capital Cider Tokyo Rose ($8) isn’t the most satisfying thing to sip with your next spicy curry, then I’ll eat my shoe. Made with the Japanese Akane apple (otherwise known as Tokyo Rose), this cider … Read More

Matawhero Single Vineyard Gisborne Gewürztraminer 2020

17 December 2020By Yvonne

Matawhero Single Vineyard Gisborne Gewürztraminer 2020 $23.99 It is super-easy to see how this wine, in its short lifespan, has made such an impact out there among gewurz-hounds. It boasts beautiful top notes of classic lychee, white peach, pear and honeysuckle, while on the palate it reveals crisp, clean, juicy stone fruit and spice saturation. … Read More

Middle Earth Pinot Meunier Rosé 2020

16 December 2020By Yvonne

Middle Earth Pinot Meunier Rosé 2020 $25 Rosé crafted from pinot meunier here in New Zealand is a pretty rare thing, but once people taste this example I’m sure they’ll  put the pressure on for more. Its aromas of wild strawberry and spiced watermelon, creaming soda and red apple all osmose through onto the palate … Read More