Bryterlater Riesling 'Svelte' 2025

Bryterlater Riesling 'Svelte' is a dry, textural North Canterbury Riesling with plenty going on beyond the usual citrus line-up. Grapefruit and bright citrus sit alongside juniper, candied apple and a distinctly sea-spray-like saline note, giving the wine a lively, slightly untamed character. Winemaker James Graves Opie's love of textural Germanic Riesling is the inspiration here, but the result has its own confident New Zealand personality. Fresh acidity keeps everything moving, while the extra texture makes it a versatile bottle at the table. Try it with dumplings, spicy pork, sashimi or anything that appreciates a crisp, savoury-edged white.

What the winery says:

The 2025 fruit was harvested ripe with a small amount of botrytis influence to balance its natural acidity. After harvest, the grapes received a 24-hour skin soak to build texture and palate weight before pressing to tank. Once settled, the juice was transferred to aged large-format French oak and matured sur lie until the following year. The finished wine is dry and textural, with citrus and grapefruit joined by juniper, candied apple and sea-spray notes, finishing lively and saline.