Top Ten
The best Kiwi wines to gift for Christmas
13/11/2024
The problem with gifting wine is exactly that - the ‘giving away’ bit. However good it feels to have put great thought and research into a case of something special for a special someone (and we’ve made a start for you below), there’s always a small part of us that wishes it was all ours to devour.
If it’s any consolation, the wine gift ideas we have selected here will be remembered by even the most discerning and knowledgeable of recipients, so we trust your thoughtfulness and consideration will be reciprocated come next Christmas.
If you want to remind your overseas friends and family what they’re missing by not living on the doorstep of some of the world’s finest summer-drinking wines, these winemakers also offer international shipping.
Happy choosing and sipping - and Meri Kirihimete me te tau hou!
Cheaper by the dozen - Reserve Blanc de Noirs, Peacock Sky (2016)
Arguably the finest blanc de noirs you’ll ever come across in Aotearoa, if not even further afield, you’ll be glad you opted for the two-case discount in the likely event you need to stash one away for yourself. Produced from Waiheke Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, these elegant and fruit-forward bubbles can be enjoyed as a summer party crowd-pleaser or pair beautifully with kai moana.
Sensational savs for a sizzling summer
The varietal that put Aotearoa on the world wine map is far from a one-hit wonder. Indeed, one of the tragic misconceptions about New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is that the only point of difference between them is the winemaker’s marketing budget. You’ll understand why by sampling these four spectacular expressions of the maverick grape. Our personal pick of the four is Astrolabe, which has vineyards in all of the three main sub-regions of Marlborough and has quickly established itself as one of the top boutique winemakers across the motu.
Champions of Red Wine - Man O’War’s Bordeaux-beater in a box
It wouldn’t be a Kiwi summer without a few days where rain stops play and the festive entertainment heads indoors. So for those game nights and cheese platters, you can’t do much better than two of Waiheke Island’s most elegant gifts - Man O’War’s famous Bordeaux-style blend, ‘Ironclad’ and their signature Syrah, ‘Dreadnought’. Vintage-wise, the former is from 2020 and the latter 2019, and are both drinking extremely nicely right now, but the Ironclad will make Christmas 2026 and onwards even more remarkable.
Pass the Pask - Declaration Methode Traditionelle, Pask (2020)
When Pask lay down the ‘Declaration’ that they’ve created the finest expression of a particular varietal or blend, they really mean it. In fact, don’t expect to see a Declaration in a given vintage if climate and other factors didn’t yield the best of the best. Normally associated with their Bordeaux blends, the Declaration label has been applied to their disgorged 2020 Methode Traditionelle and you will want to get in quick before stocks dwindle ahead of Christmas.
The king of kings from Kumeu
Made famous by the documentary ‘A Seat at the Table’, northwest Auckland has now been pinned firmly on the world Chardonnay map, with Kumeu River taking its rightful place at the head. While the coveted 2019 Maté’s Vineyard has long since sold out, fear not, because the Library Release of the same vintage is out just in time for Christmas. Not recommended for anonymous gifting such as Secret Santas on account of possible lack of appreciation.
