Message on a bottle

Twin Islands Chardonnay Pinot Brut NV & 2006 Lindis River Pinot Noir Central Otago. Photo / Richard Robinson.

What's in a name? When it comes to wine, quite a bit. Who really wants to part with good money for something called "Cat's Pee", "Drudgery Lane", or "Toejam Estate"?

Cloudy Bay is New Zealand's most internationally recognised wine name. It's genuine theatre of the mind — visions of gentle wafting skies and sparkling water, a tranquil green setting and an undulating landscape ... all helped, of course, by an inviting, brooding and distinctive label.

New Zealand wine names lean towards our great outdoors, embracing that clean green ruggedness that makes us distinctive.

As expected, mountains are top of mind: Difficulty, Edward, Riley, Michael, Nelson, Dotterel and Cass.

We're big on valleys: Matua, Awa, Pleasant, Judge, Gibbston, Pyramid, Spy and Hakataramea.

We like hills: Puriri, Elephant, Bald, Cottle, Thyme, Iron, Clevedon, Bell, Sacred, Trinity, Moutere, Spencer, Wither and Lawsons Dry.

Rivers get a mention: Kumeu, Two, Lindis, Weka, Wairau, Dry, Blind and Hurunui.

Let's not forget the creek: Mystery, Spring, Maimai and Coopers. Bay is a front-runner: Destiny, Golden, Brick, Cloudy, Doubtless, Tolaga, Putiki, Oyster, Monkey, Lonely, Koura, Pegasus, Ruby and Cable.

Rock has a solid reliability to it: Passage, Lime, Prophets, Needles, Leaning, Grasshopper and Judge.

Ridge makes the cut: Fossil, McArthur and Stony.

Island is not as common as I would've thought: Foxes and Pakihi.

Paddock gives a nod to our pastoral heritage: Hay, Two and Pond.

The Road, always a symbol of adventure and freedom: Felton, Church, Brunton, Hitchen and Quarry.

There's the odd farm: Crab and Chard.

A rise or three: Harrier, Hawkdun and Muirlea.

And Craggy Range, a Dry Gully, a Sailfish Cove as well as a smattering of earth, bridges, downs, springs, houses, cliffs, water and trees.

If imagination eludes you there is always that popular international fallback position — Estate. It should, ideally, come with a flash chateau.


Recommended

2006 Lindis River Pinot Noir Central Otago
Beauty that brings warm rich supple flavours and lovely structure. As well as the usual blackcurrant and bramble, look for almond, spice and liquorice. From specialty wine stores only.
Price: about $35

Twin Islands Chardonnay Pinot Brut NV
Low-cost, high-value bubbles to raise a toast to summer. First released in 1992, it has developed a keen following. New, sleek packaging to go with the finesse, elegance and subtle fruit flavours of a smart sparkling wine.
Price: $25