Having drunken my way through the better part of South Africa’s extensive wines and recently moving to New Zealand, I am finding the Kiwi craftsmanship of wine a sheer pleasure and a wonderful new experience.

Simon Kemp-Roberts, of Kemp Rare Wine Merchants, recently introduced me to the Paritua Vineyard as a first step to exploring the extensive palate that New Zealand has to offer to the world of wine.

Based in the Hawkes bay region the Paritua Vineyard has an offering of eight wines which include four reds, three whites and one Dessert Wine crafted from Semillon which is an intriguing choice with a wonderful result.

I have had the extreme pleasure of the ‘Grace’ (2008 Vintage) just recently, which is a delightful white blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. The grapes were picked at the perfect time to allow for just the right balance between sugar, acid and alcohol. This means that it’s great to have on it’s own or paired with a meal. This is a white wine which has been allowed to develop in French oak barrels for 10 months and at almost three years old it still holds its own very well and shows potential to keep and enjoy for at least three more years and still be thoroughly enjoyed.

With wonderful fruity and floral tones to your nose and on the tongue with a pleasantly silky and lingering palate which is almost nutty, this wine proves its self worthy of it’s name ‘Grace.’