Yvonne Lorkin: Now sing it: It's all about that taste

Gibbston Valley winemaker Chris Keys (left) and Riedel Australasia's managing director Mark Baulderstone toast Central Otago's finest in Reidel's new glass.

I tend to daydream a lot about the things I'd do if I suddenly came into money. Overwhelmingly, they involve hiring people who are experts in their chosen fields to do all the hard work for me. I'd hire a cleaner, a gardener, a chef and another accountant to check up on my current accountant (because you can't be too careful these days), a builder to build my dream house and an interior decorator to sort out things like soft furnishings, ornaments, occasional furniture (whatever those things are).

I'd pay for a driver to drive me everywhere and find the best parking spaces, I'd instigate tutors in practically every school subject for my teenagers and I'd hire a personal assistant to own my diary - to collect and send off all my medical receipts to Southern Cross, organise presents and cards for birthdays and anniversaries, and to remind me to worm the dog and deflea the cat every couple of months.

Master of Wine Andrew Caillard

Also, if a wine expert I trusted were to tell me every year which wines represented the best of the best from one of my favourite wine regions, then I'd send said personal assistant to go buy them immediately.

The highly acclaimed palate of Sydney-based Master of Wine Andrew Caillard has been the independent selector of the top 12 wines from each of the last six vintages of Gimblett Gravels Winegrowers Association.

The 2013 selection was the most comprehensive yet, with a record 46 members' wines submitted. These wines came out on top: Beach House Cabernet Franc, Mills Reef Elspeth Cabernet Sauvignon, Newton Forrest Cornerstone Cabernet Merlot Malbec,

Squawking Magpie SQM Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc, Trinity Hill The Gimblett, Vidal Legacy Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, Villa Maria Braided Gravels Organic Merlot, Craggy Range Le Sol Syrah, Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Syrah, Mission Estate Jewelstone Syrah, Te Awa Syrah and Vidal Legacy Syrah.

"The excitement generated by the perfect growing conditions of the 2013 harvest meant this was the most anticipated Annual Vintage Selection yet," says Gordon Russell, chairman of the GGWA. "To have had Andrew Caillard MW with us in person has been a privilege, adding a global perspective and professionalism to this annual tasting.

"The 12 wines chosen as our Annual Vintage Selection are without doubt amongst the greatest red wines yet produced in New Zealand."

Glassy eyed

Austrian luxury glass producer Riedel has just unveiled its ultimate tribute to Central Otago, a glass designed specifically to accentuate the world class attributes of Central Otago pinot noir.

The glass was revealed in Queenstown last month. Riedel's Australasian managing director, Mark Baulderstone, says it will be marketed worldwide as the Central Otago Pinot Noir Glass and is the only glass in the Riedel range to carry a regional name. This follows on from a workshop in Queenstown two years ago with Georg J. Riedel, the 10th generation head of the 250-year-old family company, to demonstrate how different sizes and shapes of glasses influence how pinot noir tastes.

Two glasses stood out and, from them, a prototype was developed which then became the official Central Otago Pinot Noir glass.

Central Otago pioneer winemaker Alan Brady says that the fact the glass will be known as the "Central Otago Pinot Noir glass" has "huge significance" for the region.

"Not only does this glass enhance our wines but it looks great and is delightful to hold. Every good restaurant in the region should be proud to have it on their tables," he says.

"The comparative tasting showed the subtle difference that glass shape and size have on the way wine tastes and feels in the mouth."

Georg Riedel says the right glass "enhances the experience" of drinking wine.

"It controls the flow of wine to the palate in a spectacular way. The wine doesn't become better - it tastes better."

In Perpetuum ...

This year, Ardbeg, one of the world smokiest, peatiest single malts turns 200.

To celebrate, the famous distillery held a special International Ardbeg Day on May 30, which synchronised tastings and events all around the world. They've also celebrated their bicentenary with the release of Perpetuum, which has been crafted by Ardbeg's Dr Bill Lumsden and is designed to take whisky fans on a "past, present and future" experience of the distillery with every sip.

If you're quick, New Zealand single-malt lovers will be able to get their hands on a limited edition bottle from Whisky Galore in Christchurch, House of Whisky in Auckland's Courthouse Lane, or Regional Wines & Spirits in Wellington.

SIPS OF THE WEEK

Vidal Reserve Hawke's Bay Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2014, $19

Aromas of basil and lime, passionfruit, pepper and lemongrass lead to crisp, crunchy acidity, with a burst of citrus and oodles of tropical tastiness on the finish.

Sourced from an established, high-quality vineyard block near Hastings, this is a snappy, succulent example of sauvignon from the northern climes.

villamaria.co.nz

Quest Farm Central Otago Pinot Gris 2014, $24

What started as a mistake (growing pinot gris to co-ferment with pinot noir) became an exciting project for Mack) Mason and Michelle Crawford. Quince and nashi characters are sliced with samurai sword acidity, leaving a wake of stonefruit, spice and minerality. Juicy, dry and - as my 12-year-old would say - "mean with mussel fritters". questfarm.co.nz