The popularity of New Zealand’s wines is quite staggering, especially when you consider just how little they make. The country is responsible for less than half a percent of the total global production. We see a significant number of these tasty bottles over here as the UK is New Zealand’s most important export market. The high quality of the wine coupled with a certain accessibility in the glass has been delighting wine enthusiasts for years.
Marlborough at the north end of South Island is Sauvignon central and is home to cult favourite Cloudy Bay. You’ll find Bordeaux blends (Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot) in Hawkes Bay, and Otago is home to arguably the best Pinot Noir outside of Burgundy.
The whites are very good with seafood, especially in a tempura batter. I’d have lamb with the Cabernet Merlot, and duck with the Pinot.
Here are a few to whet your appetite this weekend.
Peter Yealands Reserve Sauvignon Blanc (Waitrose, £11.59). This is fresh and crisp, with lovely tropical fruit notes on the palate. Try a perfectly chilled glass with a large plate of mussels. It’s great value at £11.59, and in fact at the time of writing, it was £3 off at £8.59. If you can still pick it up for less than a tenner, don’t just buy one.
Mt Difficulty Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2016 (Waitrose, £25.99). There’s a lovely earthy note to this wine that adds complexity and depth. I’ve mentioned the Mt Difficulty before in this column, but you’d be hard pressed to find a better example of the style. It’s expensive, but worth every penny.
Villa Maria Private Bin Merlot 2017 (Waitrose, £11.99). The grapes come from the Gimblett Gravels vineyards, one of the best areas for Merlot in the world. After a decant, this is the one to have with lamb. Cheers!
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here