Wine: Autumn flavours await

So yes, we’ve been pushed into autumn, and while your tan may be fading, don’t let your taste buds suffer the same fate.

Black Estate 'Damsteep' Waipara Pinot Noir 2013

Crafted from fruit grown on a tiny, vertigo-inducing north-facing slope located at the base of the Omihi Saddle, this is a snazzy, newly released pinot boasting shiitake
mushroom, soy and black pepper among classic raspberry leaf, cherry and cocoa characters. The acidity is youthful, fresh and followed by a burst of sweet black tea and sweet berries on the finish. Lovely.

Price: $42

Leftfield Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Forget the acidity and underarm sweat and lawn-clipping characters often found in Marlborough sauvignon, this racy number has real lift and lightness on the palate. Packed with ripe passionfruit, lime, preserved lemon, basil and white pepper, it's tangy, taut and very refreshing. Perfect on its own or better still, with pan-seared gurnard sprinkled with lemon zest and capers.

Price: $18

Charcoal Gully Late Harvest Central Otago Gewurztraminer

Gorgeous aromas of grilled stonefruit and lychees drizzled with honey, rose caramel and all manner of exotic spices make this practically unputdownable. The team at Charcoal Gully have done an excellent job. It's luxuriously sweet, yet the acidity is tangy enough to bring a lipsmacking, cleansing character.

Price: $29