WINE

If the Bridge Pa district’s signature white wine were a catchy dance tune, it’d definitely be one-hit-wonder Silento* performing: ‘Watch me whip, whip and chardon-nay-nay’

Bridging the gap

ABBEY ESTATE BARREL FERMENTED HAWKE’S BAY CHARDONNAY 2018 ($25) Futuristically structured and statuesque, this barrel-fermented beauty is like a wine version of the Sky Tower and its scent reminds me of one of those $300 bottles of perfume by Tom Ford named “Tobacco Vanille” or something. However Mr Ford also has a perfume called “F***ing Fabulous”, so make of that what you will. Winemaker Dermot Haworth has taken the reins of his parents’ Bridge Pa business and fashioned his own stonefruit-centric, spice-laced, cashew-infused creation that is fresh, frisky and freakishly good.

Sip with: old-fashioned devilled sausages. abbeywines.com

ASH RIDGE BRIDGE PA TRIANGLE RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2017 $42

This brand new vintage of Ash Ridge’s flagship chardonnay proves their young winemaker, Lauren Swift, is a serious talent. The oak infuses smoky complexity into a core of classy citrus and stonefruit and the result is a fresh, beautifully balanced, finely-structured and fabulous thing to sip now or cellar for another five-six years. Golden deliciousness in a glass. Sip with: chicken schnitzels and spicy slaw. ashridgewines.co.nz

HANCOCK & SONS BRIDGE PA CHARDONNAY 2018 $25

John Hancock became a chardonnay colossus during his years at Morton Estate and Trinity Hill, however these days he’s lending his winemaking wizardry to Moana Park and to this, his debut project with his progeny, Willy. Encapsulating Clone 95’s clean, citrus-centric characters that merge magically with a squeak of smoky oak, this wine has great structure and creamy complexity on the finish. The iron-rich gravels of the region give the resulting wine a refreshing, rock-star streak with every sip.

Sip with: truffle-infused Castello cheese – woof! advintage.co.nz YVONNE LORKIN *get a 12-year-old to demonstrate.