Catherine and Crawford Brown have transformed a rabbit-ruined paddock into an award-winning vineyard that's an oeno-nirvana of pinot noir, riesling and now gruner veltliner (Grooner-velt-leener). Bracing layers of acidity slice apart the white nectarine, lime and seashell notes of this wine. The signature white of Austria has clearly found a happy home in our deep south.
Sip with: grilled lemon-drizzled flounder.
Bisquertt Riserva Petirrojo Carmenere 2014 $18
Chileans had no idea why much of their merlot tasted so different to the rest until a canny ampelographer (google it) came along and said "that's because it's carmenere. Previously one of the six varieties permitted in red Bordeaux, this Colchagua-grown example oozes black berryfruit, tobacco-box oak, dried herb and smoky, earthy characters.
Sip with: short ribs with chimichurri sauce.
Yvonne Lorkin is a wine retailer, wine writer and member of the Wine Writers of NZ.
