The perfect wine matches for your Christmas Day dishes. Seriously. They’re perfect. Buy them now or forever kick yourself.
Bannock Brae Goldfields Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015 $28
If you're indulging in roast turkey this Christmas, especially one stuffed with fruits, nuts and fragrant herbs, then here's your rock star sip. Double that if you're slathering it in cranberry sauce. This illustrates how the "white meat, white wine"
rule is unfashionable this Yule. Pure cherry, blueberry, rhubarb, wild thyme, tamarillo and hedgerow fruit notes lead to deliciously earthy, mushroomy nuances. It's awesome with roast lamb too.
Millton Riverpoint Gisborne Viognier 2015 $26
Hear ye! Never tasted viognier before? Welcome to one of the world's best. I love the intense lift of mandarin, citrus oil, apricot kernel and grapefruit zest in this incredibly good, biodynamically-crafted example. The jasmine and musky spices and clean, tangy acidity leaves succulent, mandarin-infused magic on the finish. So magnificent teamed with classic clove, citrus, mustard and marmalade-glazed ham, that you'll do a little dance with every mouthful.
Matawhero Gisborne Pinot Rosé 2016 $23
I fell in love with this wine from when I first clapped eyes on it - how pretty and pink and perfect it is! Aroma and flavourwise, it's a total Eton Mess; all raspberry, strawberry, boysenberry and crumbled, crushed meringue and creamy notes - yet it's deliciously clean and dry on the finish. It's a slinky pinky that shouldn't be served too cold otherwise all that good stuff will be suppressed. Enjoy with seared tuna salad with nectarines and cherry tomatoes.
Yvonne Lorkin is co-founder and chief tasting officer of winefriend.co.nz and a Wine Writers of NZ member.
