Wine: A trio of weekend whites

Ah it’s the weekend. My social media-mad teens will no doubt “dab” their way through loads of YouTube clips, the best of which will be dubbed “legit-ness”. And when I unplug the wi-fi and demand they go out and get a job, apparently I’ll just be telling a “cool story”. Time to sip and sigh methinks ...

Nga Waka Martinborough Dry Riesling 2013 $25
Lemongrass, lime and tangelo zest aromas osmose on to the palate in a wave of cheek-puckering dryness in this tang-fest of a wine. There's also a waft of beeswax and honeysuckle sneaking through. A couple of years in the bottle has this wine developing nicely into a cleansing, beautifully bony drop that will reinvigorate even the ropiest of riesling resisters.

Sip with: fresh snapper baked with tomatillos and jalapenos
Available at: ngawaka.co.nz, bitewine.co.nz

Sacred Hill Halo Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 $25
Holy moly! How do I even begin describing how glorious this wine smells? Here goes: vanilla bean, ultra-ripe berries, dark cocoa powder and plum - almost like a liquid Jelly Tip inside the glass. To drink, it's fresh, vibrant and boasts sinewy, muscular tannins and a marathon-like finish.

Sip with: garlic-studded roast lamb
Available at: caros.co.nz

Two Rivers Wairau Selection Marlborough Pinot Gris 2015 $25
There's a sea of pinot gris out there and it can feel like a bit of a lottery trying to find one that ticks all your boxes. Yet here's one that somehow manages to pack ripe, musky pear, quince and strudel spices into the bottle alongside a canon of crunchy-crisp nashi notes, a bright, mineral edge and a long, juicy finish.

Sip with: duck liver pate and brioche
Available at: tworivers.co.nz

Yvonne Lorkin is a wine retailer, wine writer and member of the Wine Writers of NZ.