Te Kairanga Sauvignon Blanc, Martinborough
It’s not an Australasian wine box without a zingy Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc – and this one comes courtesy of the best producer in the Martinborough region. The grapes are hand-harvested block by block, and each block is fermented individually to preserve the vineyard’s character before considered blending. A touch of oak adds texture to a profile of fragrant fresh herbs, nettles, green pepper and lingering tropical fruit.
'Venture Cove' Riesling, Nelson
A bit of Europe in New Zealand. This aromatic Riesling is made by Hermann Seifried, raised near Graz, and the influences of old-world winemaking show in his technique. But this is still unmistakably a wine from Down Under, with beautiful notes of tangerine blossom, candied peel and flowers. Expect well-balanced acidity and a citrusy, mineral finish.
'Madame M' Blanc & Blanc, Adelaide
Unlike European winemakers who can be limited by strict traditions, Australian producers cherry-pick from influences as they choose. This aromatic Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat blend is inspired by the whites that winemaker Dean Hewitson enjoyed on his travels to the Mediterranean coast. Rich in melon, pear and citrus aromas, and with hints of tropical fruit, it is clean and fresh with good natural acidity.
'Alfresco' Vermentino, Riverland
Among the wonderful innovations you’ll find in the Australian wine scene is widespread experimentation with lesser-known varietals – for example, this Vermentino. Originally hailing from Italy, in its Down Under iteration the grape shows gorgeous stone-fruit and citrus-zest notes with refreshing acidity. Just as tasty when enjoyed as a crisp aperitif as it is with fish and seafood dishes.
John Forrest Albariño, Marlborough
New Zealand’s Marlborough region is synonymous with Sauvignon Blanc – but this bottling proves there’s more to it. Winemaker Beth Forrest fell in love with Albariño while working in Spain, and she quickly convinced her father John to plant it in their vineyards in 2011. The result is a wine with vibrant acidity and notes of white peach, pear, apricot and orange zest. Refreshing, full and balanced, it finishes with a hint of drying minerality.
'Babylon Block' Chardonnay, McLaren Vale
An authentic expression of the classic Chardonnay grape, hailing from South Australia’s McLaren Vale. It has spent around six months in pre-used French oak casks, which gives complexity to the final wine while still letting all that lovely Aussie fruit shine through. Expect notes of lemon zest, green apple, mango and fleur de sel – and a bit of vanilla from the oak ageing.
Vavasour Pinot Noir, Awatere Valley
Red berries, cherries, spice – this wine has all that we love about Pinot Noir, and with a distinctly Kiwi stamp too. It’s crafted by winemaker Stu Marfell, who hails from the Awatere Valley and picked his first vintage at Vavasour at the tender age of nine. Hand-harvested grapes have been fermented with wild yeast creating a luscious and alluring bottling that balances earthy, savoury elements with bright fruit and floral aromas. Elegant and poised.
'St. Ann's' Grenache, McLaren Vale
Grenache may have its roots in France, but Australia has confidently made the grape its own. The fruit for this wine was picked at the optimum point between juiciness and fresh acidity, then matured in two- and three-year-old puncheons to preserve its vibrancy. Crack it open to aromas of mulberry and blackberry preserves, boiled sweets, spice and thyme. The flavours are just as fruity, with gentle tannins and mouth-filling character.
'Venture Cove' Zweigelt, Nelson
The unusual Zweigelt grape is widespread in just one place: Austria. But here on New Zealand’s South Island it clearly thrives in the hands of Austrian-born winemaker Hermann Seifried. And how enticing it is: dense dark fruit aromas lead into flavours of plum, Christmas cake and mocha. Generous tannins balance the succulent fruit. No wonder it’s a Seifried family favourite.
'Spice Trader' Shiraz, Langhorne Creek
It’s the flagship wine of Australia: Shiraz. But rather than hailing from the famous Barossa, this one comes from legendary winemaker Ben Glaetzer in the little-known South Australian wine region of Langhorne Creek. Harvested from vines aged 25 years and over, the grapes produce a wine with aromas of fresh blackberries and blueberries. Flavours of dark fruit and sweet spice linger with every sip.
'Debut' Cabernet-Merlot, Margaret River
A classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that shows cool-climate Western Australia has just as much to celebrate as old-world regions like Bordeaux. The two grapes are vinified and aged separately in oak for just under a year before blending, resulting in a medium-weight wine rich in flavours of blackcurrant, spice, plum and cedar.
Wirra Wirra Organic Tempranillo, McLaren Vale
While McLaren Vale is known for red wines, you won’t often see this Spanish variety here: Tempranillo. Made organically by a star local producer, the wine’s grapes come from a single vineyard – resulting in a bold and spicy wine bottling with notes of black plum, cherry, liquorice and dried herbs. Proof that Australasia is never standing still when it comes to winemaking.
