New Zealand Wine Review – Villa Maria, Marlborough, Pinot Noir 2012

Food match: Lamb chops with boiled potatoes, peas and butter.

Aroma: Almost no discernible odour on first pour. Faint musty, stewed plum scent evolved over drinking time.

Color: Very dark claret. Quite murky.

Body: Medium bodied, heavier than expected.

Taste: Strong taste of alcohol. Chilli flavours. Bitter in the nose and the back of throat.

Cost: $NZD12 from Pak 'n' Save Kilbirnie

Quality rating: 1.5/5

Value rating: 3/5

Final words: This ANZ Silver Medal Winner had a sharp, sand paper quality. Okay for a cheap drop.

New Zealand Wine Review – Ara Single Estate, Marlborough, Pinot Gris 2013

Food match: Spaghetti Bolognese

Aroma: Sweet mandarins and honey.

Color: Apricot blonde.

Body: Medium light, even.

Taste: Honey and green pepper.

Cost: $NZD20 from Pak 'n' Save Kilbirnie

Quality rating: 3/5

Value rating: 2/5

Final words: A nice wine but overpriced.

New Zealand Wine Review – Coopers Creek, Marlborough, Reisling 2013

Food match: Asian beef stir-fry.

Aroma: Lemons.

Color: Transluscent, nearly clear, slight apricot tinge.

Body: Deceptively light.

Taste: Clean and light, green apples.

Cost: $NZD15 from Pak 'n' Save Kilbirnie

Quality rating: 3/5

Value rating: 4/5

Final words: A good buy for the price, probably better with seafood.

New Zealand Wine Review – Mondillo, Central Otago, Pinot Noir 2012

Aroma: Smokey bacon.

Color: Deep purple. Blackberry juice. A little murky.

Body: Medium body. Very ripe. No legs.

Taste: Smooth and strong. Wasabi and oranges.

Cost: $NZD25 from the Pak N Save.

Quality rating: 3/5

Value rating: 3/5

Final words: Very slick but not memorable.

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

Aroma: Raspberries, vanilla and cinnamon.

Food match: Pan-fried duck breast with plum sauce and boiled baby potatoes.

Color: intense and inky black red.

Body: very thick and clingy.

Taste: tobacco and wasabi, fine cigars, blackberries.

Cost: $NZD29 Pak 'n' Save, Kilbirnie.

Quality rating: 3/5

Value rating: 3/5

 

Final words: very satisfying full bodied red.

New Zealand Wine Review – Allan Scott, Marlborough, Reisling 2013

Aroma: tangy lime and lavendar.

Color: clear summer lemon.

Body: medium light with an even film and no legs.

Taste: sweet and substuntial, winter oranges, dried apricots and a suprising musk.

Cost: $NZD16 Pak 'n' Save, Kilbirnie.

Quality rating: 3/5

Value rating: 4/5

Final words: this one's for lovers of sweet wines.