Peter Morrell samples a pair of wines which were both recently honoured at the Royal New Zealand Easter Show Wine Awards 2016

Esk Valley Rosé 2015

This wine is full flavoured, elegant and delicious, reflecting both the excellent 2015 Hawkes Bay harvest and the winemaker’s skill in getting the best from the Merlot grapes.

Tasting Notes: This dry Rosé has aromas of strawberries and red fruits in the bouquet, this continues on to the palate and develops a hint of spicy complexity. The finish is clean and crisp.

Food Pairing: You can drink this on its own or with salads at an al fresco lunch party.

Stockists: Woodwinters Wines & Whiskies Ltd, The New Zealand House of Wine, Fenwick Ltd, Woodwinters Wines & Whiskies Ltd, Chalgrove Wines, Amps Fine Wines, Central Vintners, The Devine Wine Company (Kent) Ltd, Kingsgate Wines RRP: £12.20

Esk Valley Verdelho 2015

This full-bodied wine with a fresh acidity is made with the Verdelho grape, a native of Portugal, on the Gimblett Gravels. This area of land was created in 1867 during a storm when the Ngaruroro River changed its course. The river had deposited low grade stony soil which was poorly regarded by farmers. It was however ideal for growing grapes, being free draining and full of minerals,

Tasting notes: The wine shows tropical fruits on the nose with exotic aromas of peach, passionfruit and mandarin. It has a luscious mouthfeel with hints of more acidic citrus fruits and it leaves a strong and lingering finish.

Food Pairing: This is more than a match for strongly flavoured Thai food and is delicate enough to enjoy with seafood.

Stockists: The Oxford Wine Company Ltd, Expression du Terroir TA Borough Wines, The New Zealand House of Wine, Amps Fine Wines, Cambridge Wine Merchants Ltd, Exel Wines, The Wine Reserve Ltd, Brooksby Wines, Village Wines (Ware), Taurus Wines Ltd, Luvians Bottleshop, Hedonism Drinks Ltd, The Wine Shop, The Vineyard, Bin 21 Limited, Dickens House Wine Emporium Ltd, The Pip Stop, Wine Chambers, Precious Link, Connollys (Wine Merchants) Ltd, The Devin. RRP: £13.25