The judges

Melanie Brown

Brown joined the team at The Providores in 2006, where she helped to develop the largest list of premium New Zealand wine in the UK. She launched her own specialist retailer, The New Zealand Cellar, in 2014, followed by a wine bar and shop in London, where she curates a unique selection of New Zealand wine events.

My top three

■ Millton Vineyards, Te Arai Chenin

Blanc, Gisborne 2016 I’ve always been seduced by this wine, which is opulent but with poise and tension. James Millton is New Zealand’s biodynamics pioneer. One of the most texturally pleasing New Zealand wines I’ve tasted. 95/100 Drink 2018-2021 ■ Mount Edward Riesling, Central

Otago 2017 Duncan Forsyth, the winemaker and Riesling obsessive, farms organically and produces beautiful single-vineyard wines. This has depth and brightness in equal measure, with purity. 90 Drink 2018-2024 ■ Seifried, Grüner Veltliner, Nelson

2017 Wowzers: bright, clean and superbly approachable! The seifried family is from austria, so its no wonder their austrian varietals are starting to come into their own, and at such value. 92 Drink 2018-2020

Rebecca Gibb MW

Gibb spent six years living in New Zealand, where she became a Master of Wine, graduating top of her class and winning the Madame Bollinger medal for excellence in tasting. A former winner of the Louis Roederer Emerging Wine Writer, her first book, The Wines of New Zealand, will be published this year.

My top three

■ Prophet’s Rock, Pinot Gris, Central

Otago 2015 Pure, poised and pretty. Paul Pujol draws on his winemaking experience in alsace to craft this finely scented Pinot Gris. It offers delicacy, balance and – despite a lick of juicy sweetness on entry – there’s a sense of savouriness. 95 Drink 2018-2023 ■ Burn Cottage, Riesling-Grüner

Veltliner, Central Otago 2015 This 54% Riesling, 46% Grüner blend is a rich and pristine style; its edges are starting to soften with time in bottle. 95 Drink 2018-2020 ■ Trinity Hill, Marsanne-Viognier,

Hawkes Bay 2016 Mr Honeysuckle meets Miss apricot on the Gimblett Gravels in this voluptuous yet well-proportioned Rhôneinspired blend. aged on lees for a whopping 14 months, the result is a sumptuous, suave expression. 95 Drink 2018-2020

Roger Jones

Jones and his wife Sue own Michelin-starred restaurant The Harrow at Little Bedwyn. He consults, writes and travels extensively, hosting food and wine matching experiences. He set up The Tri Nations Wine Challenge to promote the wines of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, which will take place in Hawkes Bay next year.

My top three

■ Kumeu River, Pinot Gris, Kumeu 2016 More famous for their Chardonnay, but the Brajkovich family certainly knows how to make stylish, elegant, classy wines – and this Pinot Gris is up there with the very best. 96 Drink 2018-2022 ■ Escarpment, Pinot Gris,

Martinborough 2015 I have known Larry ‘McPinot’ McKenna for many years and this Pinot Gris showcases his capacity to make stunning white wines too – and at a great value price. 95 Drink 2018-2024 ■ Burn Cottage, Riesling-Grüner

Veltliner, Central Otago 2015 Farmed biodynamically on a tiny site where it was not suitable to plant Pinot Noir. Rich and energetic, this wine will age beautifully. Ted Lemon of Littorai is the consultant winemaker here. 95 Drink 2018-2020