Wine: Taste experiences

Great things come in threes. Except those $8 multipacks of sports socks.

Churton Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 $44

Biodynamic winegrowing is where the Weaver family of Waihopai Valley excel, so when the winemaker offers to show you his "poo pits" I suggest you accept with a smile because (weirdly) they're actually rather inspiring. This pinot erupts with bright berries, tangy black tea and sweet, dark fruit concentration. The acidity is plush, giving buoyancy and tasty tension to the mouthfeel. Gorgeous.

Sip with: peking duck pancakes.

Bannock Brae Marlene's Central Otago Gruner Veltliner 2015 $25

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.