Swift Wines Maraekakaho Gamay Noir 2021

2 October 2021By Yvonne

Swift Wines Maraekakaho Gamay Noir 2021 $35 I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure this would be the first New Zealand wine with green leopard skin on the label. Created from handpicked grapes that then went through a week of carbonic fermentation (where the berries ferment naturally inside their own skins) before being pressed … Read More

Swift Wines Maraekakaho Blanc de Noir 2021

2 October 2021By Yvonne

Swift Wines Maraekakaho Blanc de Noir 2021 $35 For starters, it looks like rainbows and unicorns right? So pretty to look at and crazy-refreshing to drink, this wine has been crafted from handpicked, red, gamay noir grapes that once pressed has had the skins separated from the juice immediately to minimise the colour uptake (hence … Read More

Swift Wines Bridge Pa Triangle Chardonnay 2020

2 October 2021By Yvonne

Swift Wines Bridge Pa Triangle Chardonnay 2020 $35 I could tell you all the technical wizardry involved in creating this organically grown chardonnay, but that might be a distraction to its deliciousness and that wouldn’t do at all. Erupting with ripe grapefruit, roast nectarine and creme brulee topping, caramelised, softly smoky spicy oak and incredibly … Read More

te Pā Oke Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019

2 October 2021By Yvonne

te Pā Oke Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019 $24.95 Once every few years, when the positive chi flows from the East and the sauvignon gods of the South smile fondly on the vines, the folk at te Pā might, if we’re lucky, decide to create an ‘Oke’. Pronounced ‘aw-keh’, oke in te reo Māori translates to … Read More

Monowai Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2021

2 October 2021By Yvonne

Monowai Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2021 $20 Out west of Hastings in a place called Matapiro, high up on the terraces of the Ngaruroro River, some of Hawke’s Bays best sauvignon blanc is being grown. In the rain shadow of the Ruahine range, with roots thriving in the deep, ancient river gravels, the vines that … Read More

Monowai Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2021

1 October 2021By Yvonne

Monowai Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2021 $24.99 With pear, poached quince and roast peach characters on the nose lead to a softly spiced palate with gentle acidity and a long, creamy finish, it’s a good little sip-in-the-sunshine gris. Don’t over-chill it (that’ll mask the all-important florals and fruit). Nicely made. Monowai Estate

Monowai Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2021

1 October 2021By Yvonne

Monowai Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2021 $24.99 This ultra pretty-in-pink wine bursts with classic bubblegum, rose apple, creaming soda and raspberry aromatics and yet on the palate it’s cleansing, dry and seriously refreshing. The acidity is perky, lending just the right amount of ‘prickle’ to the gums and tongue and it’s got personality to burn. Nicely … Read More

Bald Hills Friends & Lovers Single Vineyard Bannockburn Central Otago Rosé 2020

1 October 2021By Yvonne

Bald Hills Friends & Lovers Single Vineyard Bannockburn Central Otago Rosé 2020 $30 Pretty apricot-blush coloured in the glass, this deliciously dry style crafted from handpicked pinot noir, has classic watermelon and red apple aromatics colliding with a hint of creaming soda and soft spices on the palate. Cleansing, crunchy-crisp, yet generously proportioned, it’s an … Read More

Blackenbrook Family Reserve Nelson Gewürztraminer 2019

1 October 2021By Yvonne

Blackenbrook Family Reserve Nelson Gewürztraminer 2019 $30 The thing I love about this wine is its cool, calm mood. Unlike a lot of gewürztraminer styles that are all jazz hands and stage voice, brash, blousy and wearing way too much perfume. This new release rolls out subtle ginger, rosewater and musky spices on the nose … Read More

Forrest Marlborough Albariño 2021

1 October 2021By Yvonne

Forrest Marlborough Albariño 2021 $28 While albariño (al-bar-een-yo) might be more famous in its Galician homeland in northwestern Spain, it’s clearly settled and thriving nicely under Marlborough’s baking Southern Valleys sun. Erupting with fresh apple blossom, lemon zest and peachy aromatics and washing waves of whipcrack acidity around the gums and nashi and lime across … Read More