I like it when the name on a bottle gives me some kind of geographic indicator as to the origin or owner’s connection to the wine. Here are three that shout their sense of place …
Domaine Thomson Surveyor Thomson Central Otago Pinot Noir 2011
The owners of Domaine Thomson now make pinot noir in both Central Otago and on the other side of the world in Gevrey-Chambertin, Burgundy. There's a distinct Burgundian feel to this wine, despite it hailing from Lowburn in Central Otago. It's
light-maroon in colour and offers soft, savoury tea-like aromatics, sandalwood and meaty, gamey spices in the glass.
Price: $45
Two Rivers Convergence Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Dave Clouston is the force behind the fermenters at Two Rivers, a brand named after the Awatere River where he grew up, and the Wairau River he now resides alongside. It's a powerfully aromatic wine - bucketloads of red capsicum, crushed basil served alongside passionfruit and lime sorbet. All of that good stuff crashes through on to the palate in waves of concentrated citrus, tangy, taut acidity and lipsmacking layers of flavour.
Price: $24
Kina Cliffs Nelson Pinot Gris 2015
Alistair and Julie Ashcroft live on their small, wind-buffeted vineyard high up on the Kina Peninsula on Cliff Rd. It's a beautiful, but totally exposed place, yet their grapes have pushed their roots down deep into the Moutere clay soils and are doing very well. Here's a pinot gris with chalky complexity, roast pear, quince and floral characters, a warming, dry texture and an underlying peachy punch on the finish.
Price: $25
