A few new releases to ponder today from the other side of Earth—each worth the mild dent in your pocketbook.

Wakefield Estate Riesling 2019 — Clare Valley, South Australia ($16.95)
Wakefield’s ever-reliable Clare Valley Estate Riesling, releasing tomorrow at the LCBO, is quite dry, while pulling back a bit on the acid. Soft lemon/lime and green apple notes, with hints of ginger and orange rind enhance this medium-bodied white. It’s a good pairing for shellfish, but it’s also sufficiently mouth-coating and refreshing to gently cool the burn of a spicy pizza. 88

Esk Valley Hawkes Bay Syrah 2018 — Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand ($24.95)
Look for an herbal nose with a dash of white pepper to this new release from the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island. A little more than midweight in body, its high acid and medium tannins suggest it might benefit from a couple more years’ sleep to properly unfurl. But it’s plenty good right now. The nose screams blueberries, blackberries and plums, but the palate definitely adds some dense, dark red fruit to the mix, particularly raspberries, with some light spice persisting. The length is quite good. Definitely a more Northern Rhone than warm climate-styled Syrah here. This will pair nicely with a range of dishes, from BBQ hamburgers to roast beef to Middle Eastern cuisine. 91

LeftField Gisborne Albariño 2019 — Gisborne, New Zealand ($19.95)
Just all kinds of goodness to soak up here at an excellent price. The Albariño grape hails from northwest Spain/northern Portugal, but were you to flop the country of New Zealand onto the corresponding latitudes of Europe, Gisborne would occupy about the same spot. So it’s no surprise that this grape works just fine in northeast New Zealand. Well, actually better than fine. I love the silky weight (medium-full-bodied), and the melon-first fruit supported by citrus, as well as vegetal and mineral notes. The palate is lush and round, with very good length, while still offering the acidity and salinity this grape is known for. A great combination with oysters. 90