Wine: Drops of culture

Our first two wines celebrate the collision of simplicity of design and a modern culture of extravagance in the art deco years. The third’s a little Aussie cracker for those who like a fizzy red.

Jip Jip Rocks Sparkling Shiraz NV $30

Serve chilled to enhance the sexy cherry, blackcurrant and deeply plummy flavours; this spicy, sweetly peppered sparkler is seriously seductive. Rich, indulgent and supremely textural, now is the time to give up your sparkling shiraz virginity.

Sip with: chocolate anything.

Sileni Estate's Art Deco Sparkling NV $32

Created in homage to the rebuild of Napier and Hastings cities after the devastating 7.8 earthquake in 1931, this fizz was served at the recent Tremains Art Deco Festival in Hawke's Bay and went down a treat. I'm not usually a huge fan of sparkling pinot gris, however, this is dry, clean and perfumed with nashi pear and crushed seashells; and makes a crisp, tangy alternative to Champagne.

Sip with: cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches.

Champagne Collet Brut Art Deco NV $85

If this doesn't get your Great Gatsby going, I don't know what will. One of my favourite Champagnes, this exceptionally stylish fizz from the Ay region has butterscotch and brioche, shortbread and crushed cashew characters on the nose, followed by crisp, lemony layers on the palate, all clad in a cloud of freshly rising dough and delicate effervescence.

Poised and ultimately elegant.

Sip with: crayfish blinis
Also available at bitewine.co.nz for a limited time.

Yvonne Lorkin is co-founder and chief tasting officer of winefriend.co.nz and a Wine Writers of NZ member.