The nose knows

To really appreciate the true aromas of a wine you’ve got to swirl that goblet generously and get those nostrils of yours deep down into the glass. There you go.

MUD HOUSE GROVETOWN MARLBOROUGH PINOT GRIS 2018 $20

Grovetown is a few minutes’ drive north-east of Blenheim and the soils have a reputation for being a little finer and more fertile than the main Wairau Valley. Pinot gris grown here tends to erupt with nashi juice, fresh pear and all manner of floral fabulousness — so it’s no surprise the good folk at Mud House opted to bottle this wine separately to show off its assets and not blend away its brilliance.

Sip with: panfried halloumi sprinkled with sumac. glengarrywines.co.nz

SPENCER HILL RESERVE NELSON FUMÉ SAUVIGNON BLANC 2015 $25

Nelson’s Moutere region boasts heavy clay soils that are the drug of choice for a sauvignon blanc that likes to walk on the wild side. Jules Randell is the winemaker who spotted the talent and versatility in the fruit and opted to throw a portion into oak barrels to inject some toasty intensity before maturing the wine on its yeast lees to introduce layers of creamy complexity. The result? A stunning wine that oozes smoked passionfruit and lemongrassy lusciousness. Tasty AF.

Sip with: smoked chicken nibbles. spencerhillwine.com

ASH RIDGE PREMIUM HAWKE’S BAY VIOGNIER 2016 $31

Tucked away down a driveway off SH50, a few minutes west of Hastings in the Bridge Pa Triangle winegrowing district, is Ash Ridge Wines and their rowdy little rows of viognier (pronounced vee-yon-yay). Winemaker Lauren Swift has put her own stamp on a style that’s lifted and light, layered with apricot and peachy notes while still showing super-zesty acidity and tautness. It’s brisk and spicy yet shows a sexy, creamy undertone. Love it.

Sip with: croque monsieur. ashridge.co.nz YVONNE LORKIN IS CO-FOUNDER AND CHIEF TASTING OFFICER OF WINEFRIEND.CO.NZ AND A WINE WRITERS OF NZ MEMBER.

Nelson’s Moutere region boasts heavy clay soils that are the drug of choice for a sauvignon blanc that likes to walk on the wild side.