I love the subtle, seashell and wild flowers on the nose and the immediate juicy-dry spectrum of flavours in the mid palate. Clean, precise and packing some punch, it’s just absolutely delicious and beautifully balanced. Traditionally made using a grape called glera, this little Italian bottle of awesome will have your gums tingling and your … Read More
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Kalex Central Otago Rose Brut 2012
Kalex Central Otago Rose Brut 2012 $39 ★★★★ I love the pretty rose-gold colour in the glass, but we all know looks aren’t everything. So I was reassured to find it has alluring aromas of shrewsbury biscuit, berry bagel and soft, toasted nutty flavours in the mouth, followed by a hint of cherry on the … Read More
Allan Scott Cecilia Brut Vintage 2011
Allan Scott Cecilia Brut Vintage 2011 $28 ★★★★ The Scott family have been making wine in Marlborough since way back in 1990, however it’s only been in recent years that their sparkling wines have really started to make a real impact, well on my palate anyway. This vintage Methode Traditionnelle is crafted from chardonnay only … Read More
Quartz Reef Central Otago Methode Traditionnelle 2010
Quartz Reef Central Otago Methode Traditionnelle 2010 $40 ★★★★ Produced organically and biodynamically by Rudi Bauer down in Bendigo, this southern star has soft, smoky, flinty aromas and a rich, nutty, marshmallow-like texture in the mid palate. Very precise and cleansing it is too. www.vinofino.co.nz
Joiy Sparkling Riesling NV
Joiy Sparkling Riesling NV (4x250ml) $25 ★★★ Bees, butterflies, exotic birds and mythical creatures adorn the storybook-ish, duck-egg blue label of this riesling-based wine spritzer. It’s been on the market for a couple of years and is going gangbusters according to winemaker Chris Archer. Twist the cap, pour and you’re met with sweet, musky stonefruit, … Read More
Clos de la Chappelle Brut Instinct Premier Cru Champagne
Clos de la Chappelle Brut Instinct Premier Cru Champagne $59.90 ★★★★★ Wow! Five star champagne for under sixty dollars? I know, it’s head-scratching stuff, but best you get a move on, dust off the wallet and grab some quick because with Christmas looming there’ll be precious little left soon. I love the hints of ginger … Read More
The Black Chook Sparkling Shiraz NV
The Black Chook Sparkling Shiraz NV $29 ★★★★ Despite being recent converts to the sparkling shiraz, Kiwis are loving it; one sip of this tongue-pumpingly sweet sparkler and you’ll see why. Dark black-currant and cherry flavours merge with a blast of mocha, bitter chocolate and baking spices on the palate, plus there’s a lick of zingy … Read More
Tohu Rewa Methode Traditionnelle Blanc de Blanc 2012
Tohu Rewa Methode Traditionnelle Blanc de Blanc 2012 $32 ★★★★ A couple of years in the bottle has seen this impressive Marlborough-grown, 100% chardonnay-based bubbles mature very nicely indeed. Deep straw-yellow colour and showing delicate beading and smooth cashew nut and creamy lemon characters on the nose and palate give this sparkling good complexity and … Read More
Marie & Cecile Albrecht Cremant d’Alsace Brut Reserve
Marie & Cecile Albrecht Cremant d’Alsace Brut Reserve $39.95 ★★★ Fruity and peachy, floral and musky – a creamy, nutty example. www.federalmerchants.co.nz
J. De Villaret Cremant de Loire Rose NV
J. De Villaret Cremant de Loire Rose NV $19.99 ★★★★ The Loire Valley is France’s largest producer of sparkling wine outside of the Champagne region. Most Cremant de Loire is produced around the city of Saumur and are blends of chardonnay, chenin blanc and cabernet franc. This super-affordable example has a very pretty salmon and … Read More