Wine Talk: Great, affordable wines

Yvonne Lorkin.

Baron's and Potter 'The Countess' Reserve HB Chardonnay 2014, $32

A brand new label produced for Hawke's Bay's Barons and Potter families by Hamish Jardine of Crab Farm, this is an ultra-tropical chardonnay showing hints of honey, spiced pineapple and peach crumble on the palate. There's a hint of creaminess, but it's the tang that prevails through to the finish. Available from nzwinecentre.co.nz

Domaine Schlumberger Les Princes Abbes Pinot Blanc 2013, $24

I am totally, 100% in love with this wine. You don't see much in the way of pinot blanc here in NZ, imported or otherwise, so to come across one that's so delicious and affordable, then I'm all over it. Lean, clean white peach, chalky notes, preserved lemon, hints of salt and pepper, nectarine and oyster shell-like texture make this a really complex, dry yet mouthfillingly rich wine. Special. Visit advintage.co.nz

Wild South Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015, $17

Bright raspberry and cherry aromas leap out of the glass in this super-approachable and super-affordable pinot. Gentle spices, soft plummy fruit and an attractive vein of earthiness on the palate makes this a really easy pinot noir to enjoy at any stage of play. Nice to sip on its own, but with some duck liver pate it's darn lovely. Widely available.