A bit different

Roses are red, daffodils are canary. Some will stay safe and same-old, but others might prefer to vary…

SACRED HILL WINE THIEF HAWKE’S BAY CHARDONNAY 2015 $34

A wine thief, despite what you may think, is not some cretin who comes along and sneaks away with your favourite bottle. Rather it’s a very useful (albeit slightly phallic-shaped, and, ‘scuse the pun) tool that a winemaker can use to extract wine samples from deep inside barrels. Sourced from Sacred Hill’s famous Riflemans Vineyard, the fruit is coaxed into a style that’s lighter, creamier and edged with grapefruit, almond and peachy complexity. Sip with: ginger and coriander-laced crab cakes. finewinedelivery.co.nz

PERELADA JARDINS NEGRE 2015 $21

Named in homage to the beautifully perfumed gardens (jardins) that legendary Parisienne landscape designer Francois Duvilliers designed for Count Perelada’s Spanish castle in the mid-1800s, this curious blend of Monastrell grenache, merlot,s yrah and cabernet sauvignon is a floral spice-fest with an earthy, truffle-like, dried herb edge to the deep berry layers in the mid palate. Sip with: lamb albondigas. glengarrywines.co.nz bitewine.co.nz

OMEO VINEYARD BLACKMAN’S GULLY CENTRAL OTAGO RIESLING 2015 $22

Your taste buds will perk up immediately as the first wave of this lime-laden lovely washes over them. I love the citrus intensity and the squeak of honey and lemongrass in this bottle of awesome from Alexandra. It’s hot, dusty and dry down there in summer and a veritable icebox in winter — a harsh environment for most plants, but grapes just thrive. It has a lovely acid line and impressive length of flavour. Sip with: Thai chicken larb salad. For stockists: info@omeovineyard.com