Wine: 3 sips for the week

Impact

Auburn Wines Bendigo Riesling 2011 $30

With intense minerality and honeycomb and lemon aromas, it smells incredibly inviting, followed by a burst of deliciously toasty, nutty richness in the mouth that's edged with clean, tangy lemon meringue notes. This wine kept changing in the glass and had real personality and persistence on the finish. It's a sensational wine and one that will cellar nicely over the next five to seven years. For more information on where and how to buy this wine, see www.auburnwines.com

Classic

Misha's Vineyard Limelight Riesling 2010 $27

I love the absolute purity of this wine. White gold in the glass, this sleek and snappy riesling has vibrant floral and citrus notes on the nose, followed by lemon, lime and honeysuckle flavours which bring your tastebuds to attention immediately. Winemaker Olly Masters is an expert at creating "tension" in his wines, and he's nailed it here with pinprick acidity, adding zest and texture to the luscious, lime-laden finish. For how and where to buy see www.mishasvineyard.com

Value

Eden Sparkling NV $14.99 or $22 for 2

Ballet-shoe pink in the glass and made from Moscato grown in Gisborne, this new sparkling has soft berry and citrus aromas, a refreshing, tangy citrus-like sweetness and a crunchy-fresh finish. Fans of Asti-style wines will love it because, far from being fizzy lolly-water, the Eden has real zing and I'd say it's one of the best examples on the market today. At a positively virginal 6.5 per cent, you'll be able to have two glasses at lunchtime and, best of all, it boasts a re-sealable "zork", which means the fizz will last for up to 10 days (if you're disciplined enough, that is ...) Available exclusively from Liquor King stores nationwide or online at www.lk.co.nz