New Zealand Wine Review - Church Road, Hawke's Bay, Merlot Malbec Cabernet, 2012

Aroma: Sweet stewed plums and blackberries.

Color: Deep and dark purple red.

Consistency: Smoother and lighter than expected.

Taste: New season cherries and green apples.

Cost: $14

Quality rating: 2

Value rating: 2

Final words: Looked and smelt the part but didn't live up to expectations. Can buy better.

New Zealand Wine Review – Wovenstone, Ohau, Pinot Gris, 2014

Aroma: Sweet limes, honey and raisins.

Color: Pink and orange apricot blush.

Consistency: Thick and lush.

Taste: Sweet mandarins, almonds and honey.

Cost: $10

Quality rating: 2

Value rating: 3.5

Final words: Solid and drinkable wine. Great to see wines coming out of the Horowhenua on the supermarket shelf.

New Zealand Wine Review – Mission, Hawke’s Bay, Gewurtztraminer, 2014

Aroma: Floral aroma with lilac curry spices.

Color: Golden with hints of lime.

Consistency: Medium and a bit thick.

Taste: Lychees, lychees and more lychees with a sprinkle of honey and lime.

Cost: $10

Quality rating: 3

Value rating: 4

Final words: I love sweet Gewurtztraminer. This one is simple, clean and fresh and a really unbeatable price.

New Zealand Wine Review – Fickle Mistress, Central Otago, Pinot Noir, 2013

Aroma: Spicy and fresh like cut pine.

Color: Clear ruby red with complex light and shadows.

Consistency: Very light. Almost no body.

Taste: Soft plump plums, blueberries and vanilla bean.

Cost: $15

Quality rating: 3

Value rating: 4

Final words: An interesting and very drinkable wine at a good price.

New Zealand Wine Review – Terra Sancta Mysterious Diggings, Central Otago, Pinot Noir 2013

Food match: Pan-fried New Zealand beef fillet steak with oven baked chips, salad and a red wine reduction.

Aroma: Strong and fruity, ripe cherry and plum scent.

Color: Quite intense, deep purple. Opaque and oily.

Body: Medium bodied. Perfect match for the steak.

Taste: Very smooth. Tangy sweetness on the front of the tongue and some spice in the after-taste.

Cost: $NZD22 from the cellar.

Quality rating: 3/5

Value rating: 3/5

Final words: Recommended. Would definitely buy again. Reminded me of a well-tuned musical instrument.

New Zealand Wine Review – Margrain, Martinborough, Reisling 2010, Proprietors Selection

Aroma: Sweet limes and lavenders. Perfection

Color: Like cut ice or spring water. Very clear and even consistency.

Body: Very light. Seems like it should float.

Taste: Sweet and soft. Limes and lychees. Surprisingly robust and very easy to drink.

Cost: $NZD24 from the cellar.

Quality rating: 3/5

Value rating: 4/5

Final words: This wine was like sleeping on an expensive super-king-sized bed in a luxury resort. Loved it.

New Zealand Wine Review – Villa Maria, Marlborough, Pinot Gris 2013

Food match: Smoked fish dip with Vita Wheat crackers.

Aroma: A sweet scent of lime and chilli with a hint of icing sugar.

Color: Pale gold like summer wheat or fresh straw. Moderate intensity. Crystal clear.

Body: River water wet and light bodied.

Taste: Quite sweet with a pleasant tingling after-bite in the back of the mouth.

Cost: $NZD18 from Pak 'n' Save Kilbirnie

Quality rating: 2/5

Value rating: 3/5

Final words: Lovely light white. Brought back memories of summer on a wintry Wellington night.