New Zealand Wine Review – Toi Toi, Central Otago, Pinot Noir 2013

Aroma: savoury Italian herbs, oregano and thyme.

Color: ruby red, shiny like costume jewellery.

Taste: spicy, capsicum and paprika. Hot.

Cost: $NZD19 Pak 'n' Save, Kilbirnie.

Quality rating: 3/5

Value rating: 4/5

Final words: very enjoyable, a good match for spicy food.

New Zealand Wine Review – Pencarrow, Martinborough, Pinot Noir 2011

Food match: Asian Pork Stir-Fry

Aroma: cigars, vinegar and cinnamon.

Color: cloudy garnets.

Body: medium-light.

Taste: sharp with apples and blackberries.

Cost: $NZD20 (approx) from cellar door.

Quality rating: 2/5

Value rating: 3/5

Final words: a nice easy drinking wine.

New Zealand Wine Review – Poppies, Martinborough, Pinot Noir 2012

Aroma: light strawberries.

Color: dark russet red, murky.

Taste: sharp, unripe cherry, high acidity, more sugar by the second glass.

Cost: $NZD30 (approx) from cellar door.

Quality rating: 2/5

Value rating: 2/5

Final words: I remember loving this on the day, now it seems over priced, has pedigree so may mature over time.

New Zealand Wine Review – Mission Estate Winery Gimblett Gravels Reserve, Hawke's Bay, Cabernet Merlot 2012

Aroma: spicy, dense fruit and boysonberry.

Color: russet red, deep and murky, a little oily.

Body: medium-light, no legs.

Taste: tart berries, hint of vanilla and plenty of back palette.

Cost: $NZD19 from Pak 'n' Save Kilbirnie, Wellington.

Quality rating: 2/5

Value rating: 2/5

Final words: nothing to write home about here.

New Zealand Wine Review – Mission Estate Winery, Hawke's Bay, Reisling 2013

Aroma: honey, icing sugar and sweet peach.

Color: deep, warm golden amber. Nice and clear.

Taste: Sweet grapefruit, lychees and lemons.

Cost: $NZD15 from Pak 'n' Save Kilbirnie, Wellington.

Quality rating: 3/5

Value rating: 4/5

Final words: well priced and enjoyable.