This month’s pick of the bunch
1 2018 MT DIFFICULTY CENTRAL OTAGO PINOT ROSÉ, $25
This wine was made to be enjoyed in the sunshine - ideally on the terrace at Mt Difficulty, but it’ll be just as yum at your place. Strawberries, rose petals, redcurrants, it’s summer spice and all things nice.
2 2016 FRAMINGHAM MARLBOROUGH CLASSIC RIESLING, $25
Framingham offers an extensive tasting selection, plus winery, underground cellar and vineyard tours, great music and mouth-watering wines. The rieslings in particular are world class… or better.
3 2017 CRAGGY RANGE HAWKE’S BAY ‘MARY’S VINEYARD’ CHARDONNAY, $37
Cellar door and restaurant only, it’s an especially lovely wine to enjoy on location as the vineyard (named for Craggy’s matriarch Mary Peabody) is right outside. Citrus and white peach with a touch of bran biscuit and cream.
4 2017 AMISFIELD CENTRAL OTAGO PINOT GRIS, $29
Bright fruit, lots of crunchy pear, ripe apple with a subtle undercurrent of gingerbread and spice. Textural, rich and just off-dry, it’s enjoyable on its own but will definitely make a smoked chicken salad pretty special too.
5 2016 TE AWA SINGLE ESTATE GIMBLETT GRAVELS MERLOT/CABERNET SAUVIGNON, $29
An elegant red with rich, gently spicy berryfruit, plum and bramble notes, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Great with lamb.