Celebrate Marlborough - NZ's Largest Wine Region

Beautiful Marlborough, located at the top of the South Island, anyone who has been to Marlborough can appreciate it's beauty and hopefully you've enjoyed on of their long warm summer days that are perfect for grape ripening!

Marlborough is New Zealand's largest wine region at over twenty thousand hectares of grapes, though small Marlborough is mighty! The region accounts for approximately 2/3 of New Zealand’s wine production, a huge proportion of this goes overseas and to be honest it seems like they can grow almost anything in Marlborough. The two things that Marlborough mostly produces mostly are New Zealand's international wine signature - Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc & also Sparkling Wine, it has to be said too that I am a massive fan of Marlborough Pinot Noir which is really starting to rival Central Otago & Martinborough in popularity because of its fruit forward style and easy drinkability. Also if you're a wine collector it has the complexity needed to age well.

So that's what I've picked! See my celebrations of Marlborough below..

You just cannot talk Marlborough without mentioning a zesty Sauv & this Villa Maria Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2016 is everything that good Marlborough Sauv should be, Dry but acidic with delicious juicy zesty citrus bouncing around your mouth. All that and it's organic too (I know!) and available widely for an astonishingly reasonable $18. You just can't go wrong!

When it comes to eternal favourites - Nautilus's Cuvee Brut Methode Traditionelle NV is just so. This pinot noir/chardonnay Sparkling has been produced since 1989 at a consistently high quality and continually wins award after award. It nails the fact that the key to success in a great NV is consistency. Toasty and biscuity as any good bubbles should be and it is flush with aromas of peaches and citrus. In a word. Yum.....available for $37 at either supermarkets or Liquor stores nationwide.  

My obsession with finding the best boutique wineries in New Zealand continues and Blank Canvas are completely rocking my wine world. This 2014 Marlborough Pinot Noir is so fruity with delicious red fruit aromas, the tannins are so silky and all in all the word I would use to best describe this wine (apart from delicious) is balanced, and as far as I'm concerned a well-balanced wine, is a great wine. This wine is $45 and worth every penny. Winemakers Matt & Sophie have just returned from Europe where they did the 2017 harvest. Matt himself has done back to back, Northen and Southern Hemisphere harvests for 25 consecutive years! He has yet to miss a harvest in that time which means in 25 years, he has done fifty - yes that's right - FIFTY harvests. Matt believes the only way to improve your wine is to learn from other people & step outside your own world and where better to learn than in the Old World and bring those influences back to his making of his own Blank Canvas New World wines. 

Click the link below to hear my chat with Carly Flynn on the RadioLIVE Long Lunch

O.M.Gris - A white wine made from a red grape?!

Pinot Gris is a white wine made from a red grapes - no truly, that's a thing, and it's a great example of the fact of just how much the skins of grapes influence the look, style & taste of a wine. In this case the grape juice is pressed from the skins without any (or very little) contact with the skins therefore it gives no colour influence to the wine.

Pinot Gris is a very important grape in Alsace, France where they make a full bodied, spicer version which is also called Pinot Gris, however in Italy they make a lighter, fruity, drink now style they call Pinot Grigio. Our style of Pinot Gris in New Zealand tends to be fruit forward and varies from very dry to off dry with some sweetness. For the most part New Zealand Pinot Gris is a drink now style of wine. 

My fav Gris' at the moment are:

Hihi Pinot Gris 2017 from Gisborne, this one is definitely in the sweeter camp with 6.5 grams of residual sugar and very aromatic with flavours of pears and honeysuckle - this would make it great with Thai food I reckon.

Hihi is a small boutique producer and winemaker Andy thrives on making a huge range of really interested varieties of wine. Hihi sell their wines at the Gisborne Farmers Market at the weekend or it is available at local Gisbourne stores & at www.hihi.co.nz for $18 a bottle - an absolutely bargain in my estimation!

Loveblock Pinot Gris 2014 is from infamous Marlborough Kim Crawford. Since he sold Kim Crawford Wines almost 15 years ago Kim & his wife Erica run Loveblock - all of the Loveblock wines are certified organic. This Gris is my type of thing - dry (2.6 Residual Sugar), delicate, with flavours of melon & pear that are oh so delicate & delicious. I could drink this all day long & would definitely pair with some seafood. Available widely for $22

Cypress Pinot Gris 2016 is from the renowned Gimblett Gravels area of the Hawkes Bay. Cypress are a family owned boutique producers of some pretty stunning wines since 2009. This Pinot Gris is a more fuller bodied style than you would normally see and it's just a little sweeter at 3 grams of residual sugar (so off-dry). This wine though with delicate flavours is a bit more robust so I could see myself enjoying this with a platter of antipasto deliciousness (who doesn't love a platter with their wine!). Pick this one up for $26 in liquor stores or online.

There's no doubt about it Pinot Gris can be a divisive varietal of wine but there is also no doubt that it is definitely growing in popularity all the time in New Zealand with people seeking out more premium offerings and are prepared to pay a little more for a great Gris.

I've given three different styles & sweetness levels below so hopefully you find something in here that appeals your Pinot Gris palate.

Trick or Treat?? Enjoy some Hallo-Wines

Don't know if you've been Trick or Treating with a gaggle of small people any time recently but I find it kind of stressful!

I always find that I need my own treat in the form of a wine afterwards - So, keeping in the "spirit" of Halloween, I have picked some spooky themed wines for you to enjoy that are a so much more than just "Boos". Ok, ok, I'll stop now.....

First though, a Halloween related wine fact: Did you know that in the 17th century when they started making sparkling wines they really didn't understand really how second in-bottle fermentation (the one that gives us the bubbles) worked. So as the bottles sat in cellars the CO2 would build and build and the bottles became under so much pressure that they would spontaneously explode and often one bottle exploding would cause a chain reaction & many would explode & the producer could lose anywhere from 20-90% of their bottles - working in wine cellars in those days was a hazardous job! In the 18th century they finally figured out the science behind the bottles but until then Sparkling Wine was thought to be possessed and was dubbed "The Devil's Wine”

The first of my picks is a Rosé- I do love a Rosé, this one is called Take It To The Grave Rosé and is from the Australian Barossa, hard to believe that a Rose made from Grenache & Shiraz - big bold red grapes - could create such a modern, dry elegant style of Rosé, but they most certainly have. This baby oozes with red berry & candied fruit flavours. Apparently this vintage - 2016, was an exceptional one in the Barossa & you just cannot talk about this wine without calling out the artwork. The cute little "Day of the Dead" Style Skeletons on the bottles are super endearing & make this one really attractive on shelf. This Rose will set you back a very non-scary $20

I love Rockburn, in my eyes they can do no wrong. Devil’s Staircase is their secondary label which makes it easier to access their great wines at a more accessible price. This 2015 Devil's Staircase Pinot Noir is inspired by the winding road leading from Queenstown to Kingston along the shores of Lake Wakatipu. This is an easy drinking, approachable wine with the usual Central Otago giveaways of stonefuit (specifically plums) and blueberries. To get a Central Otago Pinot Noir of this quality for $22 (or as low as $19 on special) is almost unheard of. Grab a bottle soonist.

Every so often I get really excited by a winery - Supernatural Wine Co is just such a winery. This little winery with only 8 hectares planted in the Hawkes Bay are producing natural wines which are also organic and vegan. There is a massive movement towards Natural Wines and these guys are setting the standard where it belongs - high! Their wines are already starting to sell out yearly & I only expect to see the demand grow and grow. I tried two of their natural wines - Green Glow (the label for which glows in the dark BTW) and The Supernatural. I’m recommending the Supernatural 2015 here as I think of the two it is the most accessible for the general public. This is one of those wines you open to taste and end up drinking half a bottle (or was that just me?) This is Sauv Jim, but not as we know it - this Sauv is rich, full and delicious and I cannot wait to drink a whole bunch more of it. This does come at a higher price point at $30 but frankly for a wine this special that’s actually a steal. The most interested & exciting Sauv I have had in quite a while.

Click the link below to hear my chat with Wendyl Nissan on the RadioLIVE Long Lunch

Day of the Unicorn - A celebration of New Zealand Sparkling Wine

Bubbles, well it's just one of those words you can't say without smiling & who can resist a little cheer as the cork goes POP!

The gold standard as far as most of the world is concerned is Champagne, but to be a Champagne you must be made within the Champagne region in North West France in accordance with very strict rules. Considering Champagne is approximately the same size as the Waikato - that's a lot of kudos for a really small part of the world! If your sparkling wine come from absolutely ANYWHERE else in the world even if it is made to the exact same specification, well what you have there my friend, is a Sparkling Wine.

back home in New Zealand, we are pretty lucky to have some amazing sparkling wines to call our very own. The vast majority of them come from Marlborough as the cool climate suits the structure and acidity needed to make an elegant Sparkling Wine and let's be honest, the best Sparkling wines exude elegance. In NZ we make a lot of Sparkling wines that are called "Methode Traditionelle" which basically means it is made in the traditional method or style of Champagne. So to all intents and purposes you could call it a New Zealand Champagne (but you definietly can't say that or the people in Champagne get very upset, and so do their lawyers!)

When it comes to quality, how that works is if your wine doesn't have a year on it, that means it's an NV or "Non-Vintage" these are the sparkling wines that are made up of wines from several different years. It is done this way to ensure consistency of quality of wines - every NV release should taste the same as another from the same winery. If, however, your sparkling wine has a year on it, well that's something just a little bit more special as sparkling wines with vintages (years) on them are the best sparkling wines that winery can make and are only made on years that the vintage was exceptional and as a result more expensive. 

Bubbles can be an aperitif (the wine you serve before dinner) served by itself or with some canapes or it can also match with a  number of delicious foods - I cannot think of anything more magical than super fresh, unflavoured seafood and bubbles, like sashimi or natural oysters - amazing! However it has to be said that my all-time favourite match for bubbles is Fish and Chips - I know, I know, that sounds like madness but the clean crisp flavour of the sparkling wine is the ultimate match to the salty, oily deliciousness that is good old kiwi fish and chips. One of the most romantic dates I ever had was fish and chips and (vintaged - oooh) Champagne on the beach in Wellington. 

So why the day of the Unicorn? Well simply put, if unicorns were to have a signature drink, I'm pretty confident it would be bubbles or sparkles - aren't you? 

So let's take today to celebrate the wonderful world of NZ Bubbles, grab a bottle on your way home from work and remember to always - yes ALWAYS - serve your bubbles cold, like, properly cold. The ideal serving temperature is 6-8 degrees. 

Here are my picks for my favourite NZ Bubbles right now in three different styles Rosé, Blanc de Blanc & Brut Methode Traditionelle:

Why is it that every time I find a wine I love - particularly a Rosé - I find out that it's been made by Marlborough based winemaker Dave Clouston?? Seriously the man is a wunderkind.

This Snapper Rock Sparkling Rosé is made from 100% Marlborough Pinot Noir grapes and has a full nose of strawberry & roses. A seriously delicious & exciting wine which is surprising drier than I thought it would be for all its fruity pinkness and is available for only $25. If this wine could speak it would say "have fun".

I think gal pal unicorns would have this on summers day over lunch with their bestest gal friends. 

The No. 1 Family Estate Cuvée is made from 100% Chardonnay which makes it a Blanc de Blancs. I personally love Blanc de Blanc as it is a drier style of sparkling which appeals to my taste buds. Made by iconic Kiwi Winemaker Daniel Le Brun this was the very first wine they made at No. 1 Family Estate and it is the perfect balance of fruity yet toasty - definitely the right combination in a great bubbles. Everything about this wine from the minimalistic bottle with curves in all the right places to the smooth taste & delicious finish screams elegance & is widely available at liquor stores for $36.

I think Unicorn couples would drink this on Valentine's Day to celebrate their unicorn love. 

Well, it would be rude not to throw in vintaged Sparkling Wine - wouldn't it? From all the way down in Bannockburn, Central Otago the Akarua Methode Traditionelle 2011 is made in the traditional Champagne method & as it turns out 2011 was a year worthy of putting on the label. This sparkling wine was aged for 3 years before release which means it continues to age beautifully in the bottle since its release in 2014. 

The vines the grapes for this wine originate from are 16 years old & you can tell this wine's quality by its delicate complexity, it's peachy & fresh & toasty & so delicious & incredible value for money at $45 (available widely) 

I think Unicorn Brides & Grooms would serve the Akarua Vintage Brut Methode Traditionelle 2011 at their wedding. 

For more information on Day of the Unicorn head on over to the good peeps at SipNZ

Non-Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

The one comment I am hearing so much at the moment is “I don’t like Sauv”, it almost feels like it's not that cool to like Sauvignon Blanc anymore & there's slight hint of people feeling slightly “over” it. To that sentiment, I have just one thing to say to that..... Noooooooo! Sauv is wonderful & also vitally important to the New Zealand wine industry. 85% of the Sauv we make in New Zealand goes overseas and let me tell you, NZ Sauv is absolutely adored around the world - lets be proud of our Sauvignon Blanc!

Ok, ok, so maybe you're a bit over the taste, it is true that Marlborough Sauv can sometimes seem as if they are following a recipe - that grassy, acidic gooseberry can sometimes feel a bit "same same" glass after glass but rather than give up on Sauv I recommend trying a one from another region other than Marlborough  and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised 

So let's show our Sauvvy some love shall we? To help you with your choices my three picks are from around the country (but not Marlborough)

Granted, I haven't gone that far from Marlborough with this one considering Nelson is just next door, but this Te Awa Leftfield Sauvignon Blanc 2017 is punching above its weight particularly when you consider it only costs $18 ($15 on special). This is also the wine that Air New Zealand serve on their domestic "Koru Hour" flights, and let me tell you that AirNZ takes their wine selection seriously!

The other thing I love about this wine is the "SquidMill" image on the front. The Squidmill is one of a range of mythical creatures that don each bottle of Leftfield wine. (You can learn more about those here). This wine is fun, it has gorgeous scents of lemon & herbs & flavours of passionfruit. Crack a chilled bottle immediately if not sooner. 

As we head up the country to the Hawkes Bay and the wonderful wines of Elephant Hill  - an impressive winery who are mixing state of the art technology with traditional wine making practices. Elephant Hill are a highly sustainable winery who have the technology to turn waste winery water back into clean water again - super impressive! Not as impressive as their wines though - wow.

The current Elephant Hill Hawkes Bay Sauvignon Blanc is a 2015 vintage & one that has been kept on slight lees (yeast to help with flavour) - a real commitment to quality considering Sauvignon is a drink now (or that could be a sell now) wine. This delicious wine has fresh flavours of Apple, peach and gooseberry (don't worry, it's subtle) with some floral as well. It has all of the acidity we know and love from Sauv but a hint of cream from its time on lees. Elephant Hill also recommends this is a Sauv you can age (whaaaat? Aging Sauv? Yup, it can be done) and will keep until 2022. This wine is a bargain at $22. 

From the home of Pinot Noir comes one of the most impressive range of wines I've had the pleasure to taste of late & I have no hesitation in recommending Misha’s Vineyard ‘The Starlet’ – Bendigo Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2015 (or any of Misha's wines to be honest). This wine is handpicked and as another 2015 vintage has been aged a little in old oak. It is a unique mix mango, white pear and even hints of lemongrass! It is so smooth silky and delicious with such a depth of fruity flavour. This Sauv is also ageable for another 5/6 years under the correct conditions. Pick this little starlet up for $27

As for the name, Misha spent a lot of time in the wings of the theatre as a child as her mother was an Opera singer & Misha later in life became a ballet dancer, so all of her beautiful wines have a theatrical theme. 

Misha recommends matching her Sauv with strongly flavoured cheeses like goat cheese, feta, pecorino or sharp cheddars - hell to the yes Misha! 

To hear the audio from the Long Lunch with Wendyl Nissen about my Non-Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc choices, click the audio link below. 

My Love Affair With Malbec

Malbec, ah Malbec, it really is so much more than a wine to me. It is a reminder of long summer days spent in Patagonia in my late twenties with my gorgeous Argy boyfriend. We travelled to Brazil, Vietnam & Africa to go mountain trekking, however my favourite trip was when we went to his home in Bariloche, Patagonia in Southern Argentina. The trip was magical & I never wanted it to end, long romantic summer days with my gorgeous, romantic, exotic man followed by warm Argentinian evenings enjoying BBQ (An Argy specialty - trust me when I say you have entered meat heaven!) and endless glasses of delicious Argentinian Malbec...

....But I digress, back to the wine...

Argentina produces 75% of the world’s Malbec, and it is mostly grown in Mendoza - Argentina's "Wine Country" located in the North Western part of the country.  Malbec is a BIG wine, deep in colour with a lot of very fruity flavours and some of them can be high in alcohol, it is definitely not an entry into red wine - I think that Malbec would be your kind of wine if you like either Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah. 

Malbec needs hot temperatures and lots of sunshine to ripen so no surprise that it is gaining popularity in Australia, back home in NZ we don't grow a huge amount of Malbec but where it is grown are the Hawkes Bay & Gisborne - NZ's hottest wine regions. 

My recommendations are all New Zealand wines because I love highlighting the cool things that NZ winemakers are doing but I definitely recommend picking up an Argy Malbec if you see one. The two most widely seen brands that I would recommend are Trapiche (tra-pee-chay) - pictured - or Chakana. These are both from Mendoza & you will get them for under $20 in liquor stores. 

My first NZ Malbec pic is Matawhero Church House Single Vineyard 2015 from sunny Gisborne - Matawhero was Gisborne’s first boutique winery and have been making amazing wines since 1975. At Matawhero they aren't afraid to try things that are a little bit different and it's just one of the many reasons I love them - their Church House” series features varieties like Chenin Blanc, Albariño, and of course my beloved Malbec. This wine has a super fruit driven taste with just a hint of herbaceousness and you can pick it up for $26.00

From one oldest boutique winery to the next! Brookfields are the oldest boutique winery in the oldest wine region - The Hawkes Bay & they have been making amazing wines since 1937 (Wow) - their Brookfields Sun-Dried Malbec 2016 is a little slice of wine heaven. The Malbec grapes are hand-picked, and then sun-dried in trays before being made into wine. The act of sun-drying means that the grapes dry out just a little and in doing so enhances the sugar concentration, the colour and most importantly - the flavour - this wine is a mouthful of happiness with delicious plumminess and just enough oak to make it interesting without being too much. All that for $27? Yum! 

Last and by no means least is the St Clair Pioneer Block 17 2015 from none other than the famed Gimblett Gravels in the Hawkes Bay. St Clair are a Marlborough Winery but their Malbec is grown in the Hawkes Bay as it needs a warmer temperature. It's a family run business that includes lots of amazing wines - I know the brand well & was so excited to see a Malbec on there - honestly nicer people you just could not meet! This Malbec is something just a bit special its deep dark aromas of blueberry, spice are complex but balanced & the texture can only be described as velvet. Way too easy drinking! This is a more premium offering from St Clair but I still think it's a steal at $37

Patagonia circa 2007

Though my argy & I went in different directions (and my direction brought me to NZ) I hold the wonderful memories of our time together close to my heart & if I ever need a reminder of those amazing days & how lucky I was to have even a short time with this amazing man, I just open a bottle of Malbec & reminisce! 

Click on the audio link below to hear the whole story & my recommendations. 

¡Salud!

Wines that taste great, but do good

My wine picks this week are all wines that are helping charities. Three different wines helping three very different causes

Firstly, Graham Noton is a pet parent and has two dogs: Bailey, a Labradoodle & Madge his rescue terrier, when he adopted Madge her name was actually  Madonna but he decided unless he was going to change Bailey’s name to Elton then she could not continue to be called Madonna - and so Madge was born (again) 

Graham very generously donates his entire of his enture share of his from his extremely successful Invivo Wines to The Dogs Trust - the largest dog welfare charity in the UK and Ireland. The Dog's trust's  mission is to bring about the day when all dogs can enjoy a happy life free from the threat of unnecessary destruction and they care for and rehome around 17,000 dogs across the  UK and Ireland.

Graham's Shiraz (as well as his Rose & Sauvignon Blanc) are availble widely for $18 but you will get them on special for as low as $15. They are all great wines which support a great cause. 

Allan Scott – Scott Base Pinot Noir 2015 is my second pick and this as although Allan Scott’s are Marlborough winery they have a vineyard in Cromwell where they grow their premium Pinot Noir which the family have historically referred to it as “Scott Base”  

In 2008 the Scott family heard that Sir Edmund Hillary’s iconic hut at Scott Base in the Antarctic was in bad shape, it was leaking & had asbestos & it was in danger of being destroyed in what is, of course, a very unforgiving terrain so they got involved with the Antarctic Heritage Trust in Christchurch to try to save this important part of NZ history. The Scott family have helped to fund the restoration & have donated 5% of the sales of their Scott Base range to the upkeep since 2008. Allan Scott "Scott Base" Pinot Noir is a classic Central Otago Pinot with delicious aromas of cherries & raspberries is available for $38 from liquor stores. 

The final wine doing good this week is the SOHO – Pink Sheep Rosé  2017 - I have to say for more reasons that one this wine really is my pick of the bunch. Firstly the wine is made by Dave Clouston who I genuinely consider to be a winemaking genius! (He also makes Isle of Beauty Rosé I have recommended before) but it also supports a cause very close to my heart... this wine takes its inspiration from fashion designer Alexander McQueen who referred to himself as the 'pink sheep' in the family. McQueen, suffered from depression and ultimately ended his life prematurely at age 40. So unsurprisingly with that inspiration, this wine supports "Key To Life" charity promoted by Mile King - for every bottle sold in New Zealand SOHO will donate 50c to helping stem the tide of suicide in New Zealand and encouraging the conversation about mental health. Also, not just in New Zealand, wherever this wine is sold around the world it is the responsibility of the distributor to find the right mental health charity in their country & ensure the funds are distributed. Bravo SOHO! 

This is on my events & news page too but I'm putting it here as I think everyone needs to hear Rachael Cater (Soho Boss Babe) talk about why this is so important to her. This wine is widely available for $27

So proud to get to talk about amazing winemakers going the extra mile and doing great things 

New Zealand Wine Regions - The Hawkes Bay

Someone told me when I getting seriously into wine that I was about to develop a fascination for Geography.  Hilarious, I thought, absolutely hilarious as I was shocking bad at Geography– much to the chagrin of my longsuffering High School Geography teacher Mrs Stewart. (Bless, I remember her well) But the truth is to really understand wine you have to understand where it comes from & what is it about where it comes from that has an effect on the wine? Why do some grapes grow so well in some areas? So I thought I would include in here some focus on wine regions of NZ. Truth is for such a small country we have a really diverse range of wine regions - we are suitably spoiled. 

So where to start? Why not start with the oldest - The beautiful Hawke's Bay.

Situated on the East Coast of the North Island (39.4°S if you want to be precise) The Hawkes Bay is the oldest wine region in New Zealand with vines being planted there since 1851. The climate is maritime and funnily enough, it's not dissimilar to the climate of France's famous wine region - Bordeaux. Anyone who has spent a summers day in the Hawkes Bay knows about the long blissful hot days followed by hot nights which mean a long growing season that give this area the ideal conditions for grapes that find it hard to ripen elsewhere. 

With over 100 vineyards and more than 70 wineries approximately 4,641 hectares in the Hawkes Bay is planted with wine grapes (800 hectares of this is the Gimblett Gravels - a strictly determined area known for its gravelly soils & impeccable wines - but that's a topic all of itself!) 

So what grapes grow in the Hawkes Bay - well, to be honest, most of them do but 88% of New Zealand's production of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grapes in 2016 all came from this remarkable area, and they definitely specialise in Chardonnay (One of my all-time favourite varietals). Just under half of the grapes grown in the Hawkes Bay are either Merlot or Chardonnay so it stands to reason that these would be the varietals this area is known for - but they also do a pretty mean Syrah. 

Below are my favourite picks for Hawkes Bay wines any why...

Church Road Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2016                      

I've previously talked about how the majority of New Zealand Rosé is made from Pinot Noir, but this Rosé from Church Road is, true to its origins a blend of Merlot & Syrah. The wine is deep, almost crimson pink and it's definitely a wine with depth as it's got more body than most Rosés and it's definitely one to eat with, I reckon (Asian fusion & this wine - Yum!). It's off-dry (8 grams of sugar) and it has tastes of raspberries with just a hint of spice, most likely because of the use of Syrah in it's makeup. Widely available for $20 but it will go as low as $15

Element Syrah 2015

I am really passionate about supporting small boutique wineries because even though the big guys it also needs the small guys. It definitely needs more people like the awesome guys at Element Wines.

This is the classic family-owned vineyard. In 2012 - Dom & Rachelle and their two daughters picked up and left Auckland to move to the Hawkes Bay and grow wine, and that's exactly what they do! They have a teeny tiny 2.66-hectare vineyard in the Gimblett Gravels and they make some pretty spectacular wines. They are all about a balanced & harmonious way of growing & don't use herbicides, pesticides or other associated nasties.        

I like all of the wines of theirs that I've tried but my pick today is the Syrah, it's sublime. The colour is a deep Purple and it smells of violets & blueberries & boysenberries. It looks like it wil be domineering & grunty but its taste is smooth and soft silky & delicious. 

This wine is only $25 (A freaking steal) but is only available online. However Dom being the awesome dude that he us has given me my very own discount code. If you enter the code "Mermaid" at www.elementwines.co.nz you will get 20% off for the next week - what are you waiting for!??! 

““We want every glass of Element wine to taste of our little piece of Gimblett Gravels, Wine for us is the perfect balance of Art and Science with a pinch of luck and a whole lot of passion”        ”

— Dominic Smith - Element Wines

Clearview Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2016                 

My final wine needs no introduction for those die-hard-Chard fans out there. Clearview Estate has built up a cult following when it comes to this wine. Each year they make a certain amount, each year it sells out (because it's unbelievable) and each year we all have to sit and wait with baited breath & dry eager anticipation for it to come around again. But come around it does and each vintage is as good as the one before and we all breathe a sigh of buttery oaky relief (between sips) 

The Chardonnay is that perfect balance of fruity, creamy & toasty without too much of anything taking over. It will also cellar beautifully for the next 10 years for those of you out there with the willpower not to devour it now! It is a more expensive drop with a retail price of $47, but hunt it out for as low as $42 as it really is worth it (and so are you!). 

Wine and Chocolate Matching - Oh-Em-Gee!!

We’re all pretty busy, however last weekend I had a moment where I found myself blissfully alone. You know the one....no partner, no kids, no flatmates, no one demanding your time, no-one asking you to do anything so you can do whatever you want (or nothing) you can watch whatever you want on TV (as awful a choice as that may be :))

I decided - this is a wine and chocolate moment & so I'm sharing some of my recommendations - all of the wines I've chosen are available at supermarket so that you can pick them up and then go to the chocolate aisle and you're set to head home, lock the front door and enjoy blissful solitude! 

Ara Single Estate Pinot Noir 2015  & Lindt Creation Divine Hazelnut. This combo is divine as the subtle nuttiness in the chocolate matches the fruit forwardness of this light Marlborough Pinot and the praline centre goes with the smoothness of the wine. This wine is $25, however, you'll get it on promo for $22. Perfect for red wine and milk chocolate lovers.                     

Bubbles & chocolate is a beloved combo but did you know that because of the sweetness of the chocolate you should choose a sweeter bubbles & a white chocolate. I recommend Daniel Le Brun Methode Traditionalle Rose & Whittakers Hakes Bay Braeburn Apple with Vanilla. This Rose bubbles has an amazingly delicate and smooth mouthfeel and the strawberry aromas in the wine match so beautifully with the vanilla in the chocolate. Not an expensive Rose bubbles at $26 or promo price $24. Combine this with the cost of the chocolate & you have a luxurious experience for less than $30.....I hear bubble baths running all over NZ!

For those who prefer bigger styles of both wine and chocolate, my choice is the Church Road "McDonald Series" Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 with the Cadbury Cadbury Coco Sea Salt & Pecan. Dark chocolate & deep dark wines are a personal fav of mine. Sea salt chocolate is generally sublime with wine (or coffee coincidentally). These two are a match made in heaven & one thing I really have to call out about this wine is the bottle, having recently celebrated 120 years of winemaking at Church Road have released 5 limited edition wraps for the “McDonald” Series to share some of our best historical moments. Celebrating Tom McDonald, widely revered as the father of French winemaking in New Zealand. The bottle is wrapped in an old image of Tom McDonald in a barrel hall. Truly a striking & beautiful image of a very important man in NZ winemaking. Don't worry the wine tastes amazing too, its deep & delicious & can easily stand up to (and compliment) the grunty 70% cocoa level of the Cadbury Chocolate. This wine is about $28 or $25 on promotion. 

So much fun matching wine and chocolate - no idea how I'm ever gonna top this one! Well, I'm most certainly going to try! 

Click below for the audio to this piece on the Long Lunch