2006 Koru Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc $45-46

Best sauvignon blanc in New Zealand? After just one sip, I was hooked.

At this price you want to know it’s pretty darned good before parting with precious petrol money, and you can rest assured that this is an amazingly delicious, vibrant, intense white wine from Marlborough.

It’s also a cross-cultural wine. The winemaking couple are South African-born and -bred Jasper Raats and North American-born and -bred Sally Raats.

With a name like Koru and a home like Marlborough, this bone dry white is definitely New Zealand-ish, but it bears more than a passing resemblance to a great French sancerre.

www.kemprarewines.com or www.koruwines.co.nz

2007 Esk Valley Hawke’s Bay Chenin Blanc $20-21

Remember chenin blanc? Whether your answer is yes or not, this is a wine you should definitely reacquaint yourself with – apply, dry as a bone, incredibly refreshing, it’s a fantastic New Zealand white wine. Widely available.

2007 Vidal Marlborough Riesling $18-19

Here is an instantly loveable riesling, summer or winter. Fresh, zingy limes and apple flavours team up with beautifully balanced acids in a wine with an instant palate cleansing style. Luscious and lovely. Widely available.

2006 La Vis Simboli Teroldego $30-32

This Italian grape variety is related to the French grape, dureza, and named after the traditional Italian method of “tirelle” or wire harnesses, which trellis these grapes as they grow.

It’s soft, savoury and a very satisfying with-pasta mid-week wine.

www.pdi.co.nz

2004 Tresa Nivuro Nero d’Avola Cabernet Sauvignon $38-40

A lovely, if unusual, Italian blend of Sicily's indigenous nero d'Avola grape with cabernet sauvignon along for the ride.

This wine has all the bells of whistles of soft fruitiness, staunch backbone and, most importantly, loads of drinkability.

www.pdi.co.nz

2003 Aretey Barrica Tempranillo $21-22

From Catalunya in Spain, this fantastic red wine is made from the noble tempranillo grape; most famous for its role in Rioja.

Here it is the star player in a stand-alone varietal wine, which is silky smooth and refined, as well as super tasty and great value for money.

www.pdi.co.nz

2006 Pyramid Valley Eaton Family Marlborough Pinot Noir $59-60

Great New Zealand pinot noirs not only cost more than the rest, they are few and far between. This is one of the best.

Made by North Canterbury winemaker Mike Weersing from Marlborough grapes, this deliciously soft, spicy, fruity wine is greater than one single sum of its parts.

Hard to find, but worth the search, as are all of the Pyramid Valley wines.

www.pyramidvalley.co.nz or www.kemprarewines.com