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

Food match: Turkey Sandwich on home-made bread.

Aroma: Fresh citrus and Grapefruit. Floral and lavender notes.

Color: Slightly murky and dull lemon yellow.

Body: Light-bodied but a bit cloying.

Taste: Initial flavors of olive oil, quite acidic and bitter. Became more delicate with floral blooms over drinking time.

Cost: $NZD14 from Pak 'n' Save Kilbirnie

Quality rating: 2/5

Value rating: 3/5

Final words: Pleasant enough for cheap drop. Made me think of clean sheets on the washing line.

New Zealand Wine Review - Rapara Springs, Central Otago, Pinot Noir 2011

Food match: Slow cooked chilli pork and cannellini beans with home made bread and sour cream.

Aroma: Great smell of fresh straw and raspberries with hints of spice.

Color: The color was excellent, clear and starry with ruby-red edges and a deep garnet middle.

Body: Light and clear like a Pinot Noir should be.

Taste: Initially sharp and refreshing flavours, cooling against the chilli pork. Cherry and raspberry and strong acidity on the middle-tongue.

Cost: $NZD23 from Pak 'n' Save Kilbirnie

Quality rating: 3/5

Value rating: 4/5

Final words: A really good wine at a good price. Made me think of velvet curtains, warm quilts and swimming in Cancun. Would definitely buy it and drink it again.

Oyster Bay Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013

Aroma: Sweet and summery. Raspberry and cinnamon.

Color: Hints of apricot and strawberry. Light and clear with a crystal sheen.

Body: Very light.

Taste: Sweet berries and icing sugar. Very nice.

Cost: $20 from Pak n Save.

Quality rating: 3.5

Value rating: 4.5

Final words: Lovely and soft. Like marshmallows.  

Cross Roads Talisman, Hawke's Bay, Secret Blend 2007

Food match: Chocolate Brownie and ice cream.

Aroma: Vanilla and wood smoke. Cranberry and almond notes.

Color: Deep boysenberry purple.

Body: Medium bodied. Quite thick, almost bloody.

Taste: Initial taste was soft and dry. Slight acidity. Apple and cinnamon flavours. Very smooth.

Cost: $NZD40 from the cellar.

Quality rating: 3.5/5

Value rating: 2.5/5

Final words: Definitely a very nice drop but quite expensive.

Montana South Island Pinot Noir 2013

Food match: Pan-fried salmon and chips.

Aroma: Very faint aroma of dried cranberries.

Color: Rusty red with dark, orange hints.

Body: Medium.

Taste: Very watery savory taste with peppers and spice.

Cost: $15 from Pak n Save (? not sure)

Quality rating: 2.5

Value rating: 4

Final words: Very drinkable. Inoffensive.  

Alana Estate Martinborough Rapture Pinot Noir 2010

Aroma: Sweet raspberries and cherries.

Color: Very light and clear rub red.

Body: Medium with very even film.

Taste: Very complex flavours. Berries, cherries, sultanas and smoke with hints of Italian herbs and vanilla.

Cost: $30 from cellar door (approx)

Quality rating: 3.5

Value rating: 3

Final words: Quite expensive but lives up to the title of rapture for me.  

New Zealand Wine Review – Waitiri Creek, Central Otago, Chardonnay 2003

Food match: Seafood jumbalaya.

Aroma: Very strong aroma. Raisins and sugar. A nasal assault.

Color: Deep yellow brown.

Body: Thick and jagged.

Taste: Classic Chardonnay flavours. Toast and old socks with sultanas and musk. Sugars came through over time.

Cost: found it at the back of a cupboard.

Quality rating: 3

Value rating: ?

Final words: This Chardonnay has held up surprisingly well for it's years.