Some wines grip you around the shoulders and shake you into the realisation that yes; this is what utterly excellent pinot noir tastes like. This wine does exactly that. I was wowed from the second I poured it; by its seductivesandalwood and spice aromas and its musky wild cherry, berry and rosehip notes. It's luxurious, comforting, and yet stimulates with every sip.
Sip with: Wild venison, black pudding. Or chips. It'll make anything taste amazing.
Whether you've never tasted viognier before or whether you're a seasoned pro, here's one you must 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 "cook" on the vine, so they're fresh, zesty and retain exotic tangelo and orange oil sauciness. It's lipsmackingly lovely.
Joan and Tony Lawrence planted their first Pisa Flats vineyard in 1997. Son Brook and daughter-in-law Lucie have now taken over the winemaking side of the story and things have rocketed ahead. This "solely chardonnay" sparkling wine has those classic, clean, lean, almond meal and lemon shortbread flavours that I love in this style. Precise, delicate and taut - with a creamy, brioche and biscuit finish.
Sip with: Crayfish? Be rude not to ...
Yvonne Lorkin is a wine retailer, wine writer and member of the Wine Writers of NZ.
