Tinpot Hut Pinot Noir 2011, £14.99, www.slurp.co.uk, www.winedirect.co.uk, www.nzhouseofwine.co.uk

In Britain tinpot means cheap or inferior but so it wouldn’t be the first name choice for many makers of a consumer product.

But neither definition applies to this handsome, slightly spicy 13.5% red from New Zealand’s world famous Marlborough region. Like its sister white below this is not cheap, and is only available online but it is quite delicious.

 

Tinpot Hut Pinot Gris 2013, £13.99, www.slurp.co.uk, www.winedirect.co.uk

Pinot Gris isn’t too common in this country but we are seeing more and more because it goes so well with Far Eastern and Indian food.

This 12.5% example from the Blind River sub region of Marlborough is all pears and peaches with a hint of spice and also great for barbecues while the sun is still with us. PS Tinpot is a mustering hut for Kiwi sheep farmers.