Great news for all you Chardonnay lovers out
there! The feature of the current
Cuisine
stand
is top NZ Chardonnays of which we have 4 of
the top 10 picks to select from.
The Gisborne and Hawkes Bay regions have
always been renowned for producing quality
Chardonnays; but this year, Marlborough’s
cooler temperature style Chardonnays have
caught the judges’ eye, with half out of the top
10 hailing from this region.
Top billing goes to Villa Maria Single Vineyard
Taylor’s Pass 2012 Chardonnay. This 5 star
beauty is pure elegance and continues Villa’s
dominance in this category. Wine maker
Jeremy McKenzie recommends trying this
wine with a seafood dish featuring cream and
brandy … a delicious wee challenge to all you
fisherfolk/cooks!
In second spot is Marlborough’s Huia Vineyard
with their offering from 2009. The
judges rated this wine as “perfectly
ripe and toned”. And as every good
Chard enthusiast knows, Chardonnay
is an extremely good keeper and does
benefit from time in the bottle, so
never be afraid to select an aged
Chard to enjoy.
The superbly balanced 2013
Crossroads Chardonnay was the
judges’ 4th choice and Hawkes
Bay highest judged wine, awarded
5 stars and ‘Best Buy’. Grilled
salmon with a dill hollandaise
would be a great match.
Also from Hawkes Bay is Te Awa’s Leftfield 2013
Chardonnay. Awarded 4.5 stars along with a ‘Best
Buy’ tag, this wee gem, while drinking very nicely
now, would benefit from time in the cellar; and at
$14.99 a bottle, it is very affordable to do so.
My top tip to enjoy Chardonnay? Serve at room
temperature, or at best, lightly chilled to enjoy
the characters this varietal can offer.
Alongside the Chardonnays,
Cuisine
has also
rated top NZ “lesser known speciality” whites,
including Viognier (
vee on yay
), Chenin Blanc,
Gruner Veltiner, Alberino, and Verdelho. If you
are feeling adventurous, then as our Wine Club
members know, Elephant Hills 2013 Viognier,
awarded 5 Stars, and St. Clair’s Pioneer Block
Gruner (4.5 stars) are delicious wines to try.
Of special mention, from the John Forrest
Collection, is ‘The White’ from 2009. It is a blend
of ‘up to 13’ different white varieties (5 stars). If
you would like to taste this wine, then pop into
store and twist my arm for a sample – you won’t
regret doing so!
Hurry in. Now is the time to try these award
winners with savings of up to $12 per bottle until
mid June.
If wine isn’t really your ‘thing’, and with winter
rapidly approaching, we have the delicious Macs
Isaac Blackcurrant & Honey Cider – just heat in
the microwave and sip away to keep the winter
chills at bay!
Pop in for that ideal Father’s Day gift for Dad
– we’ll even gift wrap it for you!
See Gary about attending the monthly wine club and
ask about a free Golddiggers Bar Tab Card.
by Gary Barker
Manager, Golddiggers Tairua
Experience Grand Mercure Puka Park
Coromand
Miha
Places to Be
Puka Park Resort
Coromandel Peninsula
Grand Mercure
Accor Vacation ClubApartments
+64 7 864 8088
Email:
Mount Avenue, Pauanui Beach
Coromandel Peninsula NZ
Miha is Grand Mercure Puk a
Park’s signature restaurant and is
renowned for its superb dining
and stunning views.
This unique resort can cater for your
every need from a casual meal on the
deck celebrating with friends to your
unforgettable conference needs and
team building events, not forgetting
one of the Coromandels premiere
wedding venues.
HAPPY HOUR
EVERY DAY
WEDDINGS
Grand ercure Puka Park Resort
4.30pm
to
6.30pm
Cold Beer // Wine // Spirits
RTDs //Non-Alcoholic
