A celebration is not complete without serving a range of delicious wines to suit every taste. Here’s the Brancott and Stoneleigh collection we served at our recent BeautyEQ Long Lunch.
Wine Writer Joelle Thomson
Who better educate us on the different varieties of wines to serve for an intimate evening for two or girls’ long lunch for 160.
Our fabulous wine writer, Joelle Thomson, shares what to serve with the Brancott and Stoneleigh selection of wines.
The Brancott and Stoneleigh selection of wines served at BeautyEQ Long Lunch. Thank you to Brancott and our guests, the proceeds from the cash bar went to the worthy charity Dress for Success
Brancott Estate Sparkling Brut Cuvee $14
High quality sparkling wine is one of the great New Zealand success stories, even if it is probably one of the least well known. From humbly priced bubblies, like this one, to top-shelf sparkling wines, the wine judging jury is in full agreement that it’s hard to beat the value for money and delicious flavour equation that wines such as this can offer. This wine has a medium bubble, is dry in taste and has complex flavours of freshly baked sourdough.
Graze with: Smoked salmon and slivers of sourdough.
Serve with: pan-fried fresh white fish served simply with fresh lemon and salad leaves.
Rating: 17.5/20
2020 Brancott Estate Reserve Rosé $20
Medium pink, smooth and soft in texture, this wine reminds me of ripe raspberries with its notes of gentle sweetness and balance coming from its light body and freshness.
Graze with: Fresh fruit and soft cheese.
Serve with: an entrée of sautéed prawns served with slivers of fresh mango or peach.
Rating: 17.5/20
2020 Brancott Estate Pinot Noir $20
Pinot Noir is the most popular red grape and wine in New Zealand, thanks to being such an ideal fit for the cool-climate growing conditions that this country offers. This wine is light in colour with a medium body, fruity red plums and cherry flavours, supported by a light note of spice, which offers a touch of complexity.
Graze with: Aubergine dip with crackers.
Serve with: Vegetarian lasagne.
Rating: 17.5/20
2020 Stoneleigh Wild Valley Sauvignon Blanc $18
A wild yeast ferment gives this wine its funky earthy flavours which combine in this light-bodied, tropical fruit-scented Sauvignon Blanc. It tastes like sunshine in a glass with notes of mango, papaya and passionfruit all nicely balanced by a medium finish and easy-drinking style.
Graze with: A Blue cheese.
Serve with: Green Thai papaya salad with chicken stir fry.
Rating: 17.5/20
2020 Stoneleigh Wild Valley Pinot Gris $18
Smooth, soft and textural, this is a crowd pleaser made from New Zealand’s fourth most planted grape variety; Pinot Gris. Flavours of white pear and peach give this wine its appealing fruit flavours and its medium body makes it an easy to enjoy white. Serve lightly chilled.
Graze with: Fresh fruit and nuts.
Serve with: Spicy chicken stir fry.
Rating: 17.5/20
