WHAT I’M DRINKING
Take a tour through wine country via Western Australia’s Margaret River and NZ’s Hawke’s Bay.
Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 from Western Australia
Moss Wood is one of the pioneering producers in the Margaret River region. Proprietors Clare and Keith Mugford know their land intimately and what it can produce. They are single variety wine specialists, but are also expert blenders. This cabernet is intensely scented, complex and with a pure fruited bouquet. It has flavours of blackcurrants and blackberries, violet, hay and baked bell pepper. It is tense and dry with firm tannins and bold acidity. It features a lengthy and persistent finish. Best drinking from 2024 through 2044. eurovintage.co.nz
The Hay Paddock Pitchfork Classic Red 2016 from Hawke’s Bay
Some readers may know Chris Canning for his skills as a writer of creative fiction, screenplays and novels. He is also an expert winemaker. This wine’s bouquet is all about the fruit aromas, fragrant spices and earthy complexity. Made with equal portions of syrah and malbec, there’s a refreshing mix of raspberry and dark spicy plums, pepper and bitter chocolate. There is only a small amount of oak for complexity and structure. Can be served slightly chilled (10-12°C) and will offer lovely drinking now through 2024. thehaypaddock.co.nz
Huchet Syrah 2019 from Hawke’s Bay
Grown and bottled by Mission Estate, Huchet Chardonnay is named after Brother Cyprian Huchet, one of NZ’s pioneering winemakers. This has a brilliant dark ruby core with powerful aromas, distinctively fruity with scents of dark plums and black cherries, blue fruits then bold spices of French oak and brown spices of clove and vanilla. It is youthful with a core of ripe blue fruits, blackcurrant, raspberry and toasty barrel spices. Firm tannins with a stony chalky mouthfeel, plenty of acidity and long persistent finish. Cellar for another 12-18 months with best drinking from 2022 through 2028+. missionestate.co.nz
CocoCoast Coconut Water
When a new beverage comes onto the market making health benefit claims it’s natural to be just a little sceptical. It forces me into some research. A simple search online confirms quite a few health benefits associated with green coconut water. The waters in the CocoCoast range have a simple, refreshing, naturally fruity and in most cases not ‘sugar sweet’, just ‘fruit sweet’ flavour. If you’re a fan of coconut water, as I am, the range has lots of applications and benefits – straight-up chilled, ice blocks, in cocktails and mocktails and even cooking. Maybe start with the Sparkling, then the Lychee. cococoast.co.nz