Mills Reef Elspeth Hawke’s Bay Methode Traditionnelle NV $39.95 Wow. Golden in the glass and heaving with heavenly scorched brioche, toasted almond and grilled citrus, it’s got all the hallmarks of thoroughbred champagne at a fraction (and I mean fraction) of the price. Generously proportioned, stacked with baked apple, rising dough notes, soothing caramelised characters … Read More
Archives
Gibson Bridge Celebration Méthode Traditionelle Marlborough Pinot Gris Rosé Zero Dosage 2020
Gibson Bridge Celebration Méthode Traditionelle Marlborough Pinot Gris Rosé Zero Dosage 2020 $56 Fans of super-dry sparkling wine with a yeasty, nutty kick will lean toward this style for sure. No sugar was added after the secondary ferment and disgorgement stage of this wine, and that differentiates it from the clear bottle version in that … Read More
Gibson Bridge Celebration Méthode Traditionelle Marlborough Pinot Gris Rosé 2020
Gibson Bridge Celebration Méthode Traditionelle Marlborough Pinot Gris Rosé 2020 $56 Turning pinot gris into a fine, sparkling wine is not the easiest thing, but Howard and Julie Simmonds have decided to have a crack using fruit from their tiny, 6acre vineyard in the Renwick subregion. Coloured a soft apricot from the pinky-grey hue of … Read More
Gibson Bridge Celebration Méthode Traditionelle Gewürztraminer Rosé Zero Dosage 2020
Gibson Bridge Celebration Méthode Traditionelle Marlborough Gewürztraminer Rosé (Zero Dosage 2020) $56 This alternative version of Howard and Julie Simmonds unique take on gewürztraminer has not had any sugar added after the secondary ferment and disgorgement and that’s created an ultra-dry, mineral-heavy style laced with ginger, citrus and has a delicately fine bead and a … Read More
Gibson Bridge Celebration Méthode Traditionelle Marlborough Gewürztraminer Rosé 2020
Gibson Bridge Celebration Méthode Traditionelle Gewürztraminer Rosé 2020 $56 Sparkling gewürztraminer is a very rare thing to find, so it’s exciting to see that a tiny, Blenheim producer is having a crack at it. Called rosé as the juice has taken on the dusky pink hue of the gewürztraminer berries, it’s a dry, full style … Read More
Louis Vavasour LV Marlborough Methode Traditionelle NV
Louis Vavasour LV Marlborough Methode Traditionelle NV $55 Winemaker Louis Vavasour says this méthode has exceeded even his own expectations. It’s taken him more than 20 years to get to the point where he could create a luxury range that includes a finely tuned fizz. I love the aromas of rising dough, almonds, lemon shortbread, … Read More
Swift Wines Maraekakaho Blanc de Noir 2021
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
Oak Estate Hawke’s Bay Methode Traditionelle NV
Oak Estate Hawke’s Bay Méthode Traditionnelle $45 If you’re a fan of fizz scented with shortbread, rising dough, bright lemony layers and smooth, creamy, cashew characters, then this blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay is for you. Sourced from fruit grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle, it’s rested on its yeast lees for … Read More
Rock Ferry Central Otago Brut Rosé 2016
Rock Ferry Central Otago Brut Rosé 2016 ($55) Crafted by Allan McWilliams, this certified organic bottle of rose gold gorgeousness packs a punch on the palate right from the get-go. With subtle aromas of berry bagel dough, crushed almonds and lemon pith and a lick of Shrewsbury Biscuit and with flavours leaning toward the deliciously … Read More
de la Terre Hawke’s Bay Blanc de Blanc Methode Traditionnelle 2016
de la Terre Hawke’s Bay Blanc de Blanc Methode Traditionnelle 2016 $47 Finding high-end fizz from is harder than tracking down an honest politician or an affordable house painter that can fit you in before 2023. Happily however, we’ve forensically combed the region and uncovered this ultra-stylish, lemon, brioche and cashew-layered lovely, and best of … Read More