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Liquor Library
Best NZ Red Wine Under $25: Pinot Noir, Syrah and Merlot
The best NZ red wines under $25: a Central Otago Pinot Noir, a Hawke's Bay Syrah and a soft Merlot, and what to eat with each.
In short
- The best NZ red under $25 depends on dinner. Mud House Pinot Noir suits salmon, chicken and pork.
- Te Awanga Syrah suits lamb, steak and the barbecue.
- Brookfields Merlot when you want a softer red, with or without food.
Mud House Pinot Noir
Red berry fruit and a little spice.
Central Otago Pinot Noir with vibrant red berry fruit, subtle spice, fine tannins and a smooth finish. Give it 20 minutes in the fridge before you pour.
- Grape
- Pinot Noir
- Good with
- Salmon, chicken, pork
- Per glass
- About $4.40
Te Awanga Syrah
Dark cherry, plum and black pepper.
A cool-climate Hawke's Bay Syrah with dark cherry, plum and black pepper, and subtle herbal notes. Medium bodied and food friendly, so it suits lamb and the barbecue.
- Grape
- Syrah
- Good with
- Lamb, steak, barbecue
- Per glass
- About $3.60
Brookfields Merlot
Plum, soft and easy.
Ripe plum and red berry with soft tannins. Easy drinking, and food friendly.
- Grape
- Merlot
- Good with
- Pasta and pizza
- Per glass
- About $3.80
The Classic gift box
Give a red with treats.
Choose a red from this guide and we box it with treats, wrapped and delivered NZ wide.
- Includes
- Chocolate, savoury nibble, something sweet
- You choose
- The bottle
Quick answers
What is a good New Zealand red under $25?
Mud House Central Otago Pinot Noir for a Pinot, Te Awanga Syrah for a bolder red, or Brookfields Merlot for something soft and easy.
Should red wine be chilled?
A little. Give a light red like Pinot Noir 20 minutes in the fridge before you pour.
Which red goes with lamb?
Syrah. Its dark berries and pepper suit lamb and anything off the barbecue.
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