Apart from the uncharacteristic urge to clean windows, Spring makes Jo Cribb feel like she is coming out of hibernation and searching for adventure. Naturally, those adventures should involve wine.

We are lucky that we don’t need to head to exotic places to try new wine varieties, they are right there at the local bottle shop. Like Soave, a stylish wine from Northwest Italy. If it was a person, you would find Soave in a chic wine bar in Verona, dressed in something under-stated but ridiculously well-tailored. Coloured the palest of gold, it tastes of almond, white peaches, a citrus twist and something faintly floral.

For those wanting to head to the south of Italy, with its volcanic soils and sea air, I suggest you adventure with Fiano. She’ll be wearing artfully crumpled linen with a vintage silver brooch. Fiano will please Chardonnay fans with its depth and complexity, ability to age well and flavours of toasted hazelnuts and honeysuckle sprinkled with sea salt.

There are great examples of Chenin Blanc – my next suggested adventure in wine – emerging in New Zealand. It’s a versatile variety that can be made into wine that tastes like crisp green apples; as well as those similar to a late harvest dessert wine that is dripping in honey.

Viognier may feel intimidating to pronounce (its vee-on-yay by the way) but is an approachable friendly option. It smells like someone tipped a bowl of stone fruit and spring flowers onto a warm stone, all apricot and peach blossom and violets, with a richness and weight that feels indulgent.

For Sauvignon Blanc lovers wanting to step out of their comfort zone, Albariño is for you. This Spanish import grows well in New Zealand and you can expect wines with a piercing freshness; lemon zest and white peach with a mouthwatering saline snap.

Finally, add Grüner Veltliner to your Spring escapades. Austrian in origin, it has distinct green capsicum, citrus and spicy white pepper flavours. Crisp and food-friendly, serve this one to fellow explorers with a seasonal spring salad packed with herbs.

Tally ho adventurers! 

 

Jo’s Seasonal Picks

Cecilia Beretta

Soave

Veneto, Italy

$25

Named after the eldest daughter of the seventeenth century count who established the vineyard, this fresh wine tastes of nashi pear, green apple, citrus, almonds and bunches of freshly picked herbs.

Coriole

Fiano 2024

McLaren Vale, Australia

$29

Coriole is a posh vineyard in the rolling South Australian hills, known for its take on traditional Italian grapes. Their Fiano is packed full of flavour: limes, lemons, juicy grapefruit, melon and golden apples.

Matawhero Church House

Chenin Blanc

Gisborne

$25

From a sun-drenched single vineyard in Gisborne, this is a consistently great wine made in an off-dry style. Its flavours range from quince and apple to tropical fruits to citrus with honey.

Gladstone Vineyards

Estate Viognier 2020

Wairarapa

$35

From a near perfect vintage (the COVID one) grab one of the last bottles of the 2020 (21 coming soon) to experience its ripe apricot, vanilla, cloves, hazelnut, ginger and subtle floral flavours.

Nautilus

Albariño 2025

Marlborough

$24

This award winning wine will shake you out of your Sav comfort zone with its mandarin, peachy, salty flavours and crisp acidity. Enjoy with sweeter Asian inspired dishes, chicken with lemon and herbs or any form of seafood.

Seifried

Grüner Veltliner

Nelson

$18

Nelson’s stony soils and long summers are perfect for Grüner Veltliner. With its crunchy green apples, juicy pear drop, white peach, peppery flavours and a touch of something floral, this wine is ready for you to discover it.

 

 

Meet the Maker

Emma Marris grew up in a family of wine pioneers. Her grandfather helped plant the first commercial vineyards in Marlborough and her parents founded Marisco Family Vineyards and The Ned – she embodies their trailblazing ethos.

Stepping up as Assistant Winemaker at her family’s vineyard at 21 was pivotal to her career. Alongside her father, she worked to expand the business. A family philosophy of ‘controlling their own destiny’ meant Emma worked across the entire production process. Preparing her well for stepping into managing the business side as well. It’s the variety of the role that keeps her captivated, especially the mental gear-shifting needed between operational detail and strategic thinking; keeping grounded in Marlborough while juggling the demands of their global customers.

Launching her own brand, Emma Marris Wines, gave her creative freedom to express her own identity as a winemaker. Drawing on all she has learnt so far, her wines are distinct, premium and lovingly made in small volumes.

Her future ambitions are firmly set on ensuring her family and family business thrive over coming generations. She is doing this not only as a mum to a newborn, but also by striving to create globally adored, leading wines that reflect New Zealand’s values and uniqueness in the world.