It’s a rare thing in this country to see sauvignon blanc blended with anything. It’s usually pure, crisp, punchy and clean. However, the team from Gladstone Wines in the Wairarapa have opted to get a tad funky on it by creating a co-ferment of Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier in homage to the Dr Doolittle beast, … Read More
Yeastie Boys ‘Pullyu’ 750ml $45 (as part of a gift pack)
Ever tried beer made with wine? Here’s your chance with this white ale that the Yeastie’s have added to their 2014 ‘Spoonbender’ series. Taking a small portion of Gladstone Vineyard’s ‘Pushmi’ white wine (sauvignon and viognier) to create a candy-sugar to use alongside the malts and hops in the brew, the ‘Pullyu’ is a strong, … Read More
Serbal Mendoza Malbec Rosé 2015 $25 (3.5 stars)
If sweet rosé wines are not your thing, fret not. I’ve hunted high and low to address that issue and have found a little star you’ll love because it’s lipsmackingly lean and dry. Malbec rosé is not common and yet the team at Serbal are clearly experts in creating sophisticated, South American style rose that … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin Canvas Column for Sat August 26th 2017
Going Gaga for Gewurz Forget those flabby, sweet and sifty experiences of old, todays gewurztraminer’s are pure, precise and packed with punch-in-the-face flavour… Soljans Estate Gisborne Gewurztraminer 2016 $19.90 You’ll be wanting to move the Monaro and the Commodore to get to the Cortina so you can take this little bottle from West Auckland out … Read More
Soljans Estate Gisborne Gewurztraminer 2016 $19.90
You’ll be wanting to move the Monaro and the Commodore to get to the Cortina so you can take this little bottle from West Auckland out to the local BYO Thai. With classic musky notes on the nose, ginger, lychee and all that gewürztraminer good stuff, stylistically it’s grown on the East coast, schooled out … Read More
Kaimira Estate Brightwater Nelson Gewurztraminer 2016 $25
Certified organic, this wine is one huge high-five as to why Nelson is considered New Zealand’s spiritual home of the aromatic white wines. ‘Kaimira’ is named after an old flour mill built near the site of the original winery, but today it’s all about the grapes. Perfumed with nectarine and jasmine and sultry, dusky, musky … Read More
Natural Wine Co. Organic Gisborne Gewurztraminer 2015 $17.99
This is about as natural as it gets for gewurztraminer production. Nicola and Geoff Wright are organic pioneers in Gisborne and alongside not adding any herbicides, insecticides or fungicides, they’re also not adding any yeast, opting instead for wild, ‘natural’ yeasts to conduct the ferment. Here’s a funkier, smokier, drier style, laced with lychee and … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin Canvas Column for Sat August 19th 2017
In New Zealand and France, we call the syrah grape ‘syrah’. In Australia they call the exact same grape ‘shiraz’. Why? No one has any idea mate… Redmetal Vineyards Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015 $22 As far as red wine guru’s go in this country, Grant Edmonds has got to be one of the most revered. … Read More
Langmeil Valley Floor Barossa Shiraz 2013 $37
On the property at Langmeil grow some of the world’s oldest shiraz vines, yet the winemaking team are always on the scout for great fruit from independent growers around the Barossa to inject diversity into their wines. This wine is crafted from a smorgasbord of stunning shiraz sites and simply erupts with blackcurrant, boysenberry and … Read More
Redmetal Vineyards Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015 $22
As far as red wine guru’s go in this country, Grant Edmonds has got to be one of the most revered. He leads a double life as the chief winemaker for Sileni Estates while also nurturing his own fruit into the bottle. This is a pure, perfumed, peppery example grown in the famous, iron-rich gravels … Read More