If you’ve never tasted viognier before, or whether you’re a seasoned pro, here’s a wine that you’ve got to try. The tricky thing about growing viognier is the acidity can drop and become soapy – but that’s where Waiheke Island has an edge. Constantly fanned by the seabreezes, the grapes don’t get a chance to … Read More
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Millton Riverpoint Gisborne Viognier 2015 $26
Here’s a lovely mandarin-massaged viognier from the sun-soaked East Coast that you can really wrap your chops around. Perfect to serve with salty, savoury dishes, this organic, biodynamically-grown wine oozes citrus oil, apricot kernel, grapefruit zest and reveals a clean, succulent mouthfeel and a ribbon-like mouthfeel. Sip with: paper thin slices of prosciutto www.millton.co.nz
Kalex Bendigo Terrace Dry Riesling 2014 $32
Wow! Lime alert! This southern star smashes through the palate with green apple and quartz-powder, mineral-driven mouthfeel that lingers long and will send your saliva glands into overload. The citrus intensity is one thing, but the honeysuckle and hints of biscuit really add to the complexity of this wine in the mouth. It’s a clean, … Read More
Greystone Waipara Chardonnay 2015 $39.00
It’s been 11 years since the Thomas family first put vines in the ground at Greystone and then harvested for this vintage. The chardonnay is now really hitting its straps. Rich and golden in the glass and smelling of, oh lord, just the most delicious melange of almond biscuits rubbed with grapefruit pith and dipped … Read More
Mahi Ward Farm Marlborough Pinot Gris 2015 $29.90
Mahi’s Brian Bicknell is the happiest man in all of Marlborough. I say this because I’ve never seen him without a massive grin on his face. But what’s not to smile about when your wines turn out like this. Sourced from a vineyard in Ward, a small community 8km from the sea just south of … Read More
Framingham Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 $25
For the longest time I was such a vehement fan of Framingham’s rieslings that I forgot they were brilliant at producing pretty much every other variety under the sun too. Take this chardonnay for example. Gorgeous grapefruit, pineapple and peach layers buoy a backbone of creamy, brulee, cashew and panforte characters on the palate. Grown … Read More
Matahiwi Estate Wairarapa Chardonnay 2016 $23
I really love the bang and citrus tang of this wine. With nectarine and grapefruity intensity on the nose, and a squeak of smoke on the finish. Fresh, taut and citrusy, it’s exactly my kind of chardonnay. High winds around flowering time across the Wairarapa naturally keeping the yields in check, meaning those vines pour … Read More
Chard Farm Judge & Jury Central Otago Chardonnay 2015 $39
Most people carefully pick their way along the vertigo-inducing driveway leading to Chard Farm, praying for a punch-in-the-face pinot noir to calm their nerves. Whereas I think the perilous journey is more than well-rewarded with this outstanding chardonnay instead. Grown on their Lowburn vineyard, the fruit produces a solid mineral and spice backbone to stitch … Read More
Petane Station Gewurztraminer Rosé 2016 $30
Prepare for things to get cro-zay with this rosé. A collaboration between Petane Station and natural wine zealot’s Dirtoir, – this wacky wine is a gewurztraminer that’s had extra skin contact in the ferment and a splash of syrah to inject some perfectly pink colour. Aromas of pink peppercorn, fennel, musky raspberry notes and classic … Read More
Tesch Krone Riesling 2013 $39
If riesling with a kiss of green apple, lime and ripe peachiness sounds like a bit of you, then wait until you sip this dry little dazzler. Tesch’s Krone vineyard in the town of Laubenheim, lies directly next to the Löhrer Berg on an eyewateringly steep slope consisting of coarse, decalcified loess and weathered sandstone … Read More