There is no doubt about it, even though we still have beautiful weather, temperatures are dropping, especially in the mornings & evenings. Autumn is here.
We tend to drink more red wine in the cooler months but we’re not quite ready to light the fire & crack into the big shiraz and cab sauvs so here are some lighter fruiter wines that are ideal for autumnal evenings.
If you’ve following me for a while you will know that pinot noir is the lightest of the reds and a good one, for me is impossible to pass. I’m super passionate about spreading the word of great Marlborough pinot as I do feel that Central Otago gets all of the pinot kudos, but with a Marlborough you are getting a (usually) lighter pinot teaming with bright fruit. You’re also getting great value for money as demonstrated by this 2017 Gunn Estate Reserve Pinot Noir available for only $17.
Gunn Estate are Hawkes Bay based and their website says they source their fruit from NZ & Australia, but this is Marlborough fruit and it’s quite delicious. Light, soft and all about that fruit, specifically cherries and plums with just a little bit of that all important tannin to give it a bit of backbone.
If you’re looking for something just a bit different (and people always tell me they are), then how about trying a Marzemino? A what? Marzemino is a a rare Italian grape variety and the wine although dark in colour is medium bodied with a juicy, floral & aromatic signature flavour and just a hint of spice. is one is made by Church Road and is part of the Rod McDonald Series and as far as I’m aware they’re the only ones to make Marzemino in NZ. For only $25 it’s a low risk way to try something new. Bring it round to a friend’s place for dinner & watch them be suitably impressed, especially if they are making Italian food. Bellissimo!
Boutique winemakers Saorsa in Hawkes Bay are most definitely the cool kids of wine, so passionate and committed to making the very best wine they can but the right way. They believe that the only things you need are the land & time and given the quality of their wine, I’m inclined to agree. All that and they look like hot rockstars (Truly, insta doesn’t lie). They are small but they are mighty & I believe you will see more great things from these talented producers. Their Syrah is not Hawkes Bay powerhouse Syrah that we have come to know and love, soft yet earthy, fruity, floral & light with a bit of spice. Handmade, hand labelled & each order comes with a handwritten note, all that for a mere $30 a bottle. At the moment they are updating their website, so if you want to seek Saorsa wines out (and you should) contact them via their social media.
Mike Puru & I chat about all of this and some wine news on Magic Talk, click the link before to have a listen.