SANTA’S SOMMELIER

Getting ready to celebrate the festive season but not sure what bottle to bring? Let MiNDFOOD’s Master Sommelier Cameron Douglas take the hassle out of choosing with some excellent selections to gift & enjoy.

Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Brut NV Reims, France

A distinctive bouquet of toasty baked goods with an oatmeal and brioche quality then scents of strawberry, peach and lemon peel. After the bold, generous mousse impact begins to calm flavours of peach with apple and citrus remain. RRP $55.95.

Giesen Riesling 2022 Marlborough

Fragrant and enticing bouquet of white flowers and sweet lemon, white-fleshed stone fruits and wet stone mineral qualities. Flavours on the palate mirror the bouquet with a crisp green apple addition. Lengthy and delicious, drink as an apéritif, with food or on its own. RRP $15.

Quartz Reef Blanc de Blancs 2017 Central Otago

A delicious wine in a perfect drinking window. Satin through silky textures touch the palate first with a mushrooming mousse. Taut and youthful with a crisp acid line carrying a saline note then lemon and white peach. RRP from $85.

Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2022 Marlborough

Very attractive bouquet of ripe, fleshy tree and tropical fruits, fresh herbs, gooseberry and wet pebbles. Intense, crisp, fruity and varietal with fresh basil, apple flesh and cape gooseberry flavours. Ready to drink now. RRP $26.

Quartz Reef Vintage Rosé 2016 Central Otago

There’s an immediate sense of complexity, charm and elegance about the bouquet. Aromas of strawberry and red apple, a warm summer’s evening, a complex autolysis and package of red berries and a bouquet of flowers. A beautiful wine. RRP $110.

Forrest Sauvignon Blanc 2022 Marlborough

Classic bouquet with a distinctive fresh herb, citrus, apple and tropical fruits bouquet. Flavours and textures of lemon and green apple, nettles and tropical fruits, fresh green herbs stony mineral qualities with a lick of salt on the finish. Balanced and well made. RRP $22.

Loveblock TEE Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021 (no added sulphites)

Complex, youthful and vibrant. Flavours of grapefruit and fine lees, yellow apple and gooseberry, peach and a mineral quality. Silky textures touch the palate then acidity and youthful energy offer contrast and style. RRP $35.

Kylie Minogue Rosé 2021 France

Floral, attractive bouquet with fragrances and flavours of peach and red apple, moments of strawberry and saffron. Silky texture touches the palate first then contrasting crisp acid line, balanced and ready to drink from day of purchase. RRP $24.99.

Loveblock Organic Marlborough Pinot Gris 2021

Pure, ripe, fresh and fruity with some white spice, mineral and youthful energy. Aromas and flavours of brown pear and red apple, white pepper and quince. Crisp and salivating on the palate with medium+ acidity, a satin texture. Delicious. RRP from $35.

Quartz Reef ‘Billie Jean’ Royal Series Pinot Noir 2019 Bendigo, Central Otago

Taste this wine over 2 days: it shows its true potential after around 24 hours open. Aromas and flavours of dark cherry and dried raspberry, a spiced plum flesh and spices of the forest. A voice of Bendigo and Otago captured. RRP $130.

Hoosegg ‘Jade Moon’ Cabernet Franc 2018 Orange, Australia

Youthful, complex and enticing, winemaker Philip Shaw has crafted an excellent wine with power and charm – deep purple core with purple and ruby hues at the rim. Aromas of blackberries, olive, violet and plum. RRP from $118.

Chard Farm Mata-Au Pinot Noir 2020 Central Otago

Fantastic bouquet with aromas of pure, ripe red berry fruits and wildflowers, a fine savoury, mineral quality and gentle baking spices. Delicious on the palate with flavours of red cherry, dark strawberry, red plum and baking spices. RRP $59.

Te Mata Estate Bullnose Syrah 2020

A brilliant purple-hued and polished appearance with a palate filled with minerals of clay and stone, violets and blackcurrants, dark cherry and raspberry fruit, suggestions of milk chocolate before the spices and toasty qualities of new French oak fold in. Delicious. RRP $77.

Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2018

Barossa, Australia

Distinctive bouquet and palate with ripe, expressive, richly flavoured dark red berry fruits, tobacco and baking spices, dark soil mineral qualities and toasty barrel. Full-bodied and fruity. RRP $65.

Taylor’s 10 Year Old Tawny Port Portugal

True to its name and style, a port with distinctive aromas of power and age, wood and dried red berry fruits, date, iodine, brown sugar and dehydrated red fruits preserve. Sweet on palate with a contrasting core of alcohol. RRP $50.

Patrón Silver Tequila 100% Agave

Very enticing bouquet with scents of fresh citrus, mineral and agave flesh: the sense of place is obvious, new and distinctive with a steely purity. Delicious on the palate, pure, fresh, full of agave and spice, fresh tropical fruit. Smooth texture, a great example. RRP $85.90.

Taylor’s Late Bottled Vintage 2017 Port Portugal

Excellent bouquet of dark red berry fruits and violets, dates, prune, red stone fruit flesh, and complexity from barrel ageing. Flavours of Doris plums and sweetness, blackcurrant flesh with anise. Warm and generous. RRP $58.65.

Bombay Sapphire Dry Gin Premier Cru Murcian Lemon

The core of the London dry style greets the nose first, appealing and exact. Next, the aromas of botanicals and subtle citrus emerge. Satin textures touch the palate before warmth of alcohol, followed by flavours of lemon peel and citrus. Delicious. RRP $76.99.

Antipodes Sparkling Water

As a wine taster and wine judge, I need the right water to sweep away any residual flavours from coffee, food and wine and to prepare the palate for a tasting task. The effervescence and fine bubble with its palate-refreshing qualities are exactly what we need in a sparkling water. RRP $5.10 per 1L.

Grey Goose Vodka

Very enticing and familiar scents of purity, mineral and complexity. Aromas of cold stone and steel, a note of apple and gun flint then clean air and mineral water. Warm, generous, pure and complex. Silky textures touch the palate first then flavours of mineral then white fruits. RRP from $73.99.

Antipodes Still Water

Pristine and silky textured as the water touches the palate, with a fine dissolved mineral quality with a whisper of silica. This artesian water’s inherent ability to cleanse and prepare the palate to receive the true flavours of food and other beverages is simply fantastic! RRP $5.10 per 1 litre.

Bacardí Spiced Rum

Bright amber translucent hues lead to aromas of barrel, spice and aromas of caramel sweetness, orange and iodine then coconut and baked stone fruits. Smooth, sweet, easy spices, brown sugar, coconut and warming alcohol. Great as a mixer or on its own over ice. RRP from $48.99.