A panel of New Zealand wine experts has chosen Metro magazine’s annual Top 100 Wines for Winter.
Their selection, which appears in the June edition of Metro, is an eclectic mix of reds, whites, sparkling and fortified wines. It gives a fairly comprehensive snapshot of wines from around the globe, with entries from both New and Old World producers.
The selection was made by blind taste test, in accord with standard industry practice i.e. unmarked tasting samples so that judges could not distinguish the wines by their labels.
The panel, headed up by Chief Judge Chris Tudor Master of Wine, featured a number of wine industry luminaries. Among others it included food and wine writer Vic Williams, Metro food writer Rebecca Jones, Wiremu Andrews from popular wine database Wine Searcher and the GM of Glengarry, Liz Wheadon.
Below are just some of the wines the judges chose:
Thornbury Pinot Noir 2010
This wine combines black cherry and sweet berry flavours with underlying notes of spice and oak. The Thornbury Pinot Noir 2010 is good match for pasta and meat and a great warmer for chilly evenings.
This wine is available at Villa Maria Estate, Auckland
Jaboulet Cotes du Rhone Parallele 45 2009 Shiraz
The Parallele 45 is another great drop from the house of Jaboulet, one of the Rhone Valley’s most esteemed winemaking families. It is characterised by a lush fruitiness and toasty notes and is probably best enjoyed with a nice steak. As the team at Glengarry amusingly put it, the Parallele 45 is “living luscious proof that a sub-$30 bottle of French red need not be employed solely for the purposes of removing unsightly stains from the bathtub”. In other words, it’s very good.
Wellington’s Arbitrageur should have this one in its extensive cellar.
Muddy Water Riesling 2011
The Muddy Water Riesling is a complex yet fresh varietal containing a cornucopia of flavours, from white blossom through to crisp apple and grapefruit through to stone fruit. On the palate this translates as a gentle sweetness balanced by citrus-like acidity. This wine is well-matched with poultry.
Try it at Shed 2 Bar & Cafe, Napier.
Pegasus Bay Chardonnay 2009
Pegasus Bay Chardonnay is brimful of both savoury and fruity elements that grow and change throughout the tasting. This is underpinned by a solid minerality.
Sample this wine at Pegasus Bay Winery & Restaurant, Canterbury
Pol Roger Brut Reserve NV
This one needs little or no introduction. With its delicately balanced complex of flavours and crisp, clean finish, the Pol Roger Brut Reserve NV comes across as stylish yet understated. It’s a great winter drink, but it can be enjoyed at any time of year, any time of day. You really don’t need an excuse!
Head to The Hop Garden in Wellington to try this Pol.
Hidalgo Napoleon Amontillado Sherry
This dry white sherry hails from Jerez, Andalucia, in Spain. Medium amber in colour, it makes a great aperitif, but could also be enjoyed with cheese or dessert.
Soprano Italian Caffe, in Wellington should have this one.
Churchill’s 20 Year Old Tawny Port
The Churchill’s 20 Year Old is a pale red tawny colour in the glass, with a golden rim. It has a delicate yet distinctive bouquet of morello cherries and almonds and lands textured and rich on the palate.
Try this 20 year old Tawny at Nice Hotel, Taranaki.
All of these wines are available from Glengarry.
You might also enjoy Metro's top 50 Auckland restaurants 2013.
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