Josef Chromy is the ultimate example of the fact that its never too late to fulfil your dreams, having launched his wine label at the age of 76. Hes had great success since, as youll discover with this Riesling. In the glass: Bright pale lemon. On the nose: Tightly wound and delicate. On the palate: Pristine, dry and crisp with a lemon and lime fruit core. Really refined and precise, it has a wonderful quinine-like texture and very tight acidity that will ensure success in the cellar.

Burn Cottage is best known for its Pinot Noir, but this Riesling Grüner Veltliner blend is one of Central Otago’s quiet success stories. The fruit is sourced from the Sauvage Vineyard in Bannockburn, which was planted in 2005. The site’s schist soils and cool climate allow both varieties to retain definition and drive while achieving full phenolic ripeness. Winemaking is a low-intervention process: the grapes are pressed and fermented with indigenous yeast in stainless steel and seasoned oak. The result is a layered, textural wine that balances Riesling’s precision with Grüner’s flesh and spice. Expect notes of citrus peel, white flowers, and stone fruit on the nose, with a palate that carries through those characters, complemented by mineral depth and a clean, dry finish. This is a wine that evolves well over several years and pairs equally well with food or as an aperitif. A small-production release that quietly broadens the picture of what Central Otago can do beyond Pinot Noir.

LEO BURING DW U57 Leonay Mature Release Riesling, Eden Valley