March 4th
Hay Paddock Silk Rose RRP $29.95
An absolute stunner of a rose, made from Waiheke-grown syrah grapes. Drier than many roses available, but with a silky smooth mouthfeel and a generous helping of raspberry and blackberry flavours balanced by a zesty acidity. Seductive and stylish, it is a brilliantly versatile food wine and also a little cracker on its own.
March 11th
St Clair Pioneer Block 18 Sauvignon Blanc 2011 RRP $25.50
Remember everything you loved about sauvignon blanc when you first tasted it? It's all in here. Crisp gooseberries and tart citrus, zingy acid, mouthfilling flavours of lime and grapefruit with a hint of passionfruit on the finish. Enough to restore the faith of even the most jaded hack, it's a great wine at a sharp price.
March 18th
The Ned Pinot Gris 2011 RRP $20.99
I've had issues with pinot gris in the past as I've found many are insipid and uninspired, but this one really rocks. So ripe, it has an almost salmon hue, it's packed with poached pear aromas and even a hint of sweet pastry. Broad, mouthfilling but never cloying, it's a lesson to others on how to handle pinot gris.
March 25th
Tohu Marlborough Riesling 2011 RRP $21
This is what I love about New Zealand riesling — racy, lively and packed full of flavour, with the added bonus of great cellaring potential. This is a really zingy wine, full of lemon and lime aromas and packing a flavour punch, with limes coming to the fore. Lovely now, but if you want to impress people, buy a case and drag out a bottle in two or three years; it will be gorgeous.