2023 North Otago Riesling, Wild Earth

• Style: Off-dry, mineral-driven, crisp acidity
• Taste: Citrus blossom, green apple, melon, stony limestone core
• Food: Shellfish, Asian cuisine, white fish, soft cheese, sushi
• Occasion: Weeknight, Sunday lunch, summer drinking, aperitivo
• Serve: Chilled, now or age 5–10 years, screwcap-sealed

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Aromas of citrus blossom and orchard fruit—green apple, melon—layer over a stony, mineral core that speaks to the Waitaki Valley's limestone soils. The palate is crisp and alive, with sharp acidity that cuts through rich food while the whisper of residual sugar (16g/L) keeps the wine refreshing rather than heavy. Long, clean finish with enough structure to suggest graceful ageing, though this off-dry expression drinks beautifully now.

The Winery — Wild Earth

Founded in 1998 by expatriate Californian Quintin Quider, Wild Earth has built its reputation across two of Central Otago's finest vineyard sites: at the end of Felton Road overlooking the Kawarau River and in the North Lowburn district beneath the Pisa Range. Winemaker Jen Parr, named New Zealand Winemaker of the Year in 2020, steered this 2023 vintage through a challenging season of wind and cool autumn days. Hand-harvested and whole-bunch pressed, the fruit was fermented cool to preserve aromatic character, yielding a wine where challenging growing conditions concentrated flavour and lent distinctive backbone. Vegan and vegetarian friendly, sealed under screwcap to preserve freshness.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

Low alcohol (10.5%) and marginal growing conditions make this wine supremely food-friendly. Pair with shellfish and crustacean, spicy and Asian cuisine, white fish, soft cheeses, or roasted beets. The acidity is sharp enough to refresh palate between courses, making it ideal for aperitivo moments or leisurely Sunday lunch gatherings. Drink chilled as a summer drinking companion, or cellar for five to ten years to develop deeper complexity. Riesling from cooler regions like North Otago rewards patience, yet there's no reason not to enjoy this wine's mineral precision and crisp character now.