Man O' War Valhalla Chardonnay; reywacke Wild Sauvignon Blanc; Schubert Marion's Pinot Noir; Framingham F-Series Old Vine Riesling; Chateau La Prade Bordeaux Cotes de Francs. Photo / Supplied.
Man O' War Valhalla Chardonnay; reywacke Wild Sauvignon Blanc; Schubert Marion's Pinot Noir; Framingham F-Series Old Vine Riesling; Chateau La Prade Bordeaux Cotes de Francs. Photo / Supplied.
No matter what you choose to serve this festive season, Jo Burzynska has the perfect wine to match.
Christmas is a time to crack open some special bottles, and stock up with more affordable wines so that every occasion is covered. This is my pick of the season's crop, which I've selected to accompany the wide range of festive feasts Kiwis will be consuming over the holiday season.
TALKING TURKEY
Man O' War Valhalla Chardonnay Waiheke Island 2012 $42-$45 Valhalla is the great palace of Norse mythology where the souls of fallen Viking warriors feasted with the gods. It's also the name given by Man O' War to its top barrels of chardonnay, the blend of which makes a perfect partner for those feasting on turkey this Christmas. It possesses the power required in a complex and richly textured palate that combines stonefruit with notes of hazelnut, flint, bacon fat and zesty grapefruit. Available from fine wine retailers such as Glengarry, First Glass, Waiheke Wine Centre, Point Wines, Caro's and Fine Wine Delivery Company.
Greywacke Wild Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 $37.95 If you want to splash out on a very special sauvignon, this fine barrel-fermented expression made by ex-Cloudy Bay winemaker Kevin Judd is one of the country's finest. It is creamy textured with well-judged use of oak adding notes of spice and weight to its palate of papaya and greengage woven around a fresh grapefruit and mineral spine. From Glengarry, Caro's, Fine Wine Delivery Company, First Glass, Point Wines, Hamilton Wine Company, Bethlehem Wines & Spirits, Hillsdene Wines, McGregors Super Liquor and Advintage.
GREAT WITH GAME
Schubert Marion's Vineyard Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2011 $50 For those seeking a superlative pinot noir for the Christmas table, the Schubert Marion's Vineyard pinot noir is one of my highest ranked of this year. Pinot noir is one of the most game-friendly grapes, working well with duck and other game birds, as well as spring lamb. This elegant, silky example possesses a rich savoury core that should make for a perfect pairing, along with its bright raspberry and cherry fruits and notes of five spice. Find it at Fine Wine Delivery Company, Village Winery, Hamilton Wine Company, Waiheke Wine Centre, Merchant of Taupo, Scenic Cellars, Advintage, Liquorland Newmarket and Mt Eden, and Caro's.
Framingham F-Series Old Vine Riesling 2012 $40 If there's one wine that covers most culinary bases, it's a dry riesling, which can be sipped as an aperitif, partnered with salads and seafood, stand up to Asian spice and hold its own with lighter meats. This from Framingham's alternative F-Series label is made with grapes harvested from older vines, some of which are fermented in old oak, which doubtless has led to the intensity and complexity of this seriously good example that's taut and dry with notes of mineral, citrus and hints of honey and fragrant florals. Available from framingham.co.nz
BORDEAUX FOR BEEF
Chateau La Prade Bordeaux Cotes de Francs, France 2000 $42.50 An older red, such as a Bordeaux or local cabernet merlot blend, is beautiful with roast beef. If you've no back vintages squirrelled away, never fear, The Wine Importer has just landed stocks of this marvellously mellow mature Bordeaux, which still retains its ripe blackcurrant fruit alongside aged notes of licorice, spice and a smoky, savoury undertone. Available from wineimporter.co.nz
Amisfield Central Otago Pinot Gris; Barista Coffee Pinotage; Spade Oak Vineyard Heart of Gold Gisborne Albarino; William Murdoch Syrah; The Doctors' Marlborough St Laurent. Photo / Supplied.
FOOD-FRIENDLY GIRLS
Amisfield Central Otago Pinot Gris 2012 $30 Amisfield's textural pinot gris is packed with flavour, exhibiting notes of baked apple, nectarine spice, citrus and subtle honeyed sweetness. It will work with a variety of dishes, from lightly spiced fare, seafood and richer fish to white meats in creamy sauce and an array of vegetables. From Farro Fresh, Caro's, Glengarry, La Barrique and Point Wines.
BARBECUE BEAUTY
Barista Coffee Pinotage, South Africa 2012 $24 "Coffee Pinotage" has been a growing trend in South African wine. The country's flagship red variety is fermented at high temperatures with heavily toasted oak staves to impart dark chocolate and coffee flavours. This won me over when I clocked its amazing compatibility with barbecued fare. There's a definite whiff of the barbecue plate to the wine, which combines ripe dark fruit and a lick of sweet vanilla. Available from The Village Winery, Hamilton Wine Company, Wine Direct, Liquid Experience or direct from orders@planetwine.co.nz
SEAFOOD SYNERGY
Spade Oak Vineyard Heart of Gold Gisborne Albarino 2013 $23 With its second commercial vintage of albarino, Spade Oak has started to hit its straps, producing a scintillating example with succulent peach fruit, lemon balm, grapefruit and the salty character so attractive in the Spanish version. This makes it one of the ultimate seafood wine styles, to be enjoyed with shellfish such as oysters or plainly cooked white fish. Freight free from spadeoak.co.nz
William Murdoch Syrah 2011 $34.95 If you're serving venison, a syrah like this will make it sing, while its peppery notes also echo the dominant flavours in a peppered steak. This excitingly aromatic syrah from a relatively new organic estate in Hawkes Bay's Gimblett Gravels sub-region exudes notes of cracked black pepper, exotic spice and leather. Available from murdochwines.co.nz
CHARMING WITH CHARCUTERIE
The Doctors' Marlborough St Laurent 2012 $25 This is the first release of St Laurent by Forrest Estate on its Doctors' label, a variety that's widespread in its heartland of Austria but rare here in New Zealand. It's a fresh, fragrant debut that makes an interesting alternative to pinot noir, possessing aromatic notes of rose and white pepper over red cherry and raspberry fruit. With its naturally light 11 per cent alcohol, it's a great picnic drink and pairs with salami and smoked meats. Serve lightly chilled. Find at Glenfield Liquor, or from Bottle-O Northcote and Epsom.
Stoneleigh Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc; Harakeke Farm Nelson Pinot Noir; Eureka Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Straw Wine; Buller Fine Old Muscat, Australia. Photo / Supplied.
CLASSIC CHARACTER
Stoneleigh Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2013 $25.99 A pungent, punchy sauvignon blanc that should be a real crowd-pleaser at social gatherings with its vibrant herbal grassy character, notes of blackcurrant leaf, mineral and lime. Sip on its own or with asparagus, vegetable dishes, goat's cheese or shellfish. Widely available from leading liquor retailers.
Harakeke Farm Nelson Pinot Noir 2011 $25 If you're going to get through quite a bit of pinot over the holiday period, it's good to buy in some more affordable bottles. Luckily, with this classy number there's no compromise on quality. Made by an organic boutique producer, it's full of ripe plummy fruit overlaid with notes of spice, herb and chocolate with an attractive earthy undercurrent. Have it with the Christmas ham or turkey leg meat. From greatlittlevineyards.com and The Wine Barrel.
JUST DESSERTS
Eureka Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Straw Wine 2012 $35 A sensational dessert sauvignon made from grapes whose flavours have been concentrated by being dehydrated for weeks on racks lined with straw. The result is a rich, unctuous wine with immense intensity to the classic sauvignon notes of passionfruit, papaya and herb, as well as a whiff of smoke and a fresh citrusy finish. Savour with sweeter desserts and blue cheese. From winedealer.co.nz
PARTNER FOR PUDS AND PIES
Buller Fine Old Muscat, Australia NV $36 This fortified muscat is Christmas pudding in a glass, with its opulent palate of raisin, dried fig, vanilla, spice and mocha. Drink this rich wine with full-flavoured desserts such as Christmas pudding, mince pies and chocolate-based sweets, or accompanying strong cheeses. Available from First Glass, Liquorland and Glengarry.
