In the course of tasting numerous wines each week for review, some are instant head-turners. Here are some examples:
Wines available from heraldwines.co.nz for a limited time.
2014 Matawhero Gisborne Gewurztraminer For unfathomable reasons gewurtztraminer remains unloved and something of a mystery to your average wine consumer. But a great gewurz is an immensely affordable aromatic white, magnificent with Mediterranean-Asian infused cuisine. Matawhero have been turning out gorgeous gewurztraminer fordecades. Try something different. Price: $24
2013 Neudorf Twenty-Five Rows Chardonnay Those who continue to worship at the feet of chardonnay ought to ensure they try this superb value-for-money wine. From one of New Zealand's most respected and revered producers and a flagship for Nelson wines, Neudorf delivers a tiny production from hand-harvested grapes from the first 25 rows of their Neudorf Hill block. All you'd want in a chardonnay - feijoa, citrus, peach and ethereal aromas of summer. Price: $28
2012 Giesen The August Sauvignon Blanc Not all sauvignons are created equal. Creative, adventurous producers are looking for ways to enhance and differentiate their sauvignon from the rest. Giesen has developed low-yielding hand-selected parcels of Marlborough fruit, whole-bunch pressed into barrel for fermentation with wild yeast, allowing extended time for maturation. Result: a complex, powerful, multi-layered and richly textured style. Price: $44
