New Zealand Wine Review – Leveret, Kati Kati, Methode Traditionale Premium Brut

Bubbles: Good central columns of small continuous bubbles.

Color: Dark yellow.

Consistency: Medium bodied with jelly legs.

Aroma: Apricot jam.

Taste: Mandarins and cream.

Cost: $NZD12 from New World Newtown

Quality rating: 2/5

Value rating: 3/5

Final words: A good value bubbly, perfect for a long summer evening.

New Zealand Wine Review – Boundary Vineyards', Waipara, Paper Lane Pinot Gris, 2015

Aroma: Simple and sweet tropical fruits.

Color: Very light. Just a hint of lemon.

Consistency: Quite uneven. No legs.

Taste: Savory hints of tobacco and whiskey.

Cost: $NZD17

Quality rating: 2/5

Value rating: 2/5

Final words: Nothing special and not cheap.

New Zealand Wine Review – Devil’s Staircase, Central Otago, Pinot Noir, 2014

Aroma: Heavy rust and beef.

Color: Dark burgundy on the outside with scarlet center.

Consistency: Jagged and sticky.

Taste: Sweet potatoes and lime and caramelized carrot.

Cost: $NZD19

Quality rating: 2/5

Value rating: 2/5

Final words: Nice enough but there is better value to be had

New Zealand Wine Review – Lake Chalice, Spice Trail Mild, Sauvignon Blanc/Gewurtztraminer/Chardonnay, 2013

Aroma: Heavy on the Sauvignon Blanc. Waxy limes and chlorine.

Color: Pale and watery. Tepid.

Consistency: Very runny.

Taste: Like dry grass.

Cost: unknown (gift)

Quality rating: 2

Final words: Have tried all 3 in the Spice Trail range and don’t think any are worth bothering with. This seems like a marketing ploy to get rid of excess product to me.