SPRING WINES IN NZ

Spring is definitely in the air in Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland). Pink cherry blossoms abound, and Spring lambs are nearly as big as their mums after ripping into the lush green pastures in the rural areas.
And here’s another excellent lineup of wines to usher in the warmer months.

 

Main Divide North Canterbury Sauvignon Blanc 2023 $NZ 23
A fresh young thing from this year’s vintage. Very approachable with medium acids, lashings of ripe gooseberry, passionfruit, rock melon and green tomato. Crisp, clean finish with a skerrick of sweetness.
Available: blackmarket.co.nz  maindivide.com

Main Divide North Canterbury Riesling 2022 $NZ 22
Bargain. A very easy drinking fruit-burst style with soft acids and medium sweetness. Lemon squash, honeysuckle, jasmine and rock melon, with a hint of passionfruit.
Available: Pt Chev Organic wines maindivide.com

Main Divide North Canterbury Pinot Gris 2021 $NZ 22
A very different style from the Main Divide riesling, as above. Dry and complex with dominant funky, yeasty flavours. Spiced pear, quinine, rock melon and a hint of clover honey.
Available: finewinedelivery.co.nz  maindivide.com

Millton Te Arai Vineyard Gisborne Chenin Blanc 2021 (vegan/organic)  $NZ 35
Biodynamic winemakers, Millton have been famous for chenin blanc and were the first certified organic winery in NZ. Gorgeous wine. Opening up just nudging medium sweet creamy palate of fresh cut pineapple, clover honey, stewed apple, and a soft tangy yeasty finish.
Available: Pt. Chev Organic Wines  millton.co.nz

Pegasus Bay North Canterbury Bel Canto Dry Riesling 2022 $NZ 37
At a deceptive 14% alcohol, an intensely flavoured wine made from low cropping vineyard management. Citrus blossom, green apple, funky and flinty. Dried apricot, orange peel, and Manuka honey, with a dry finish.
Available: Glengarry, Caro’s  pegasusbay.com

Poppies Martinborough Gewürztraminer 2020 $55
Shayne and Katy ‘Poppy’ Hammond, the viticulturist/winemaker husband and wife team at Dry River, launched their own Poppies label in 2013. This wine is lush, floral and gorgeous. Flavours of lychee, jasmine and Turkish delight in an off-dry style with a crisp citrus finish.
Available: poppiesmartinborough.co.nz

Main Divide North Canterbury Pinot Noir 2021 $NZ 26
Very much on the savoury, funky umami pinot spectrum. Truffle, mushroom, and smoky bacon with cigar, vegemite and cassis. Medium bodied.
Available:  finewinedelivery.co.nz  maindivide.com

Parés Baltà Materia Prima Orange (vegan/organic/sulphite-free) Penedès Spain 2022 $NZ 39
Copper blush colour. Made with biodynamic indigenous xarel-lo grapes and fermented on gewürztraminer skins. Astringent, tangy and yeasty. Dry and crisp with mandarin citrus, orange marmalade and medium tannins.
Available: Dhall & Nash vinofino.co.nz

Parés Baltà Materia Prima Pét-nat (vegan/organic/sulphite-free) NV Penedès Spain $NZ 30
Unlike the Champagne method, where there is a second fermentation in the bottle, a pét-nat is simply bottled before the initial fermentation has ended. This wine is clear, clean, crisp and yeasty. Slightly funky and almost astringently dry, with a hint of apple and clover honey, and fine beaded frothy bubbles. 11.5% alcohol.
Available: Dhall & Nash

Phil Parker hosts wine tours and food tours in Auckland New Zealand #2 Food & Wine Tripadvisor