Pinot gris, a wine best with food

New Zealand pinot gris seems to be settling into a standard style - a big, soft, sweetish, fruit alady wine with high alcohol that leaves a burning sensation on the finish. When well alanced, it can be attractive, and is best with food. It goes particularly well with dishes flavoured with mint such as chicken, fish or rice.


BEST UNDER $20

Balancing Act Waipara Pinot Gris 2009
$17

A medium sweet wine with hints of mint and nectarines, a silky texture and a soft, easy finish.

Three stars (out of five)
Good value


BEST UNDER $20


Main Divide Waipara Pinot Gris 2009
$19.95

This attractive wine exudes exotic, sweet tropical fruit, a hint of mineral, is rich and mouthfilling with a firm texture.

Three stars (out of five)
Good value

www.pegasusbay.com


devil
Rockburn Devil's Staircase Central Otago Pinot Gris 2009
$22

Fragrant with a hint of mineral and sweet, ripe apples and pears, this lively wine has a refreshing finish.

www.rockburn.co.nz

 


meg
Mt Difficulty Roaring Meg Central Otago Pinot Gris 2009
$22

Fragrant and zesty with oodles of sweet fruit hinting of pear and white-fleshed peaches, medium sweet with a clean, slightly hot finish.

Three stars (out of five)
Average value

www.mtdifficulty.co.nz


hawshead
Hawkeshead Central Otago Pinot Gris 2009
$26

This attractive wine from Gibbston with floral aromas and sweet fruit hinting of pears and
mint, is lively and crisp with a tingly finish.

Three stars (out of five)
Average value

www.hawkesheadwine.com


ata
Ata Rangi Lismore Martinborough Pinot Gris 2009
$28

An intriguing, complex wine with hints of caramel and nuts underlying the spicy fruit, a silky
texture and nicely balanced finish.

Four stars (out of five)
Good value

www.atarangi.co.nz


ANOTHER GLASS

pick
Pick and Shovel Central Otago Pinot Gris 2009
$17

Lightly flora with sweet fruit and a clean finish, this is not as overtly in-your-face as some of
the other pinot gris.

Two stars (out of five)
Average value


rock
Rockburn Central Otago Pinot Gris 2009
$26

Fresh and zesty with hints of tropical fruit salad and a lively, off-dry finish.

Three stars (out of five)
Average value

www.rockburn.co.nz


diff
Mt Difficulty Central Otago Pinot Gris 2009
$25

Sweet ripe fruit with a silky texture and a clean, fresh finish.

Three stars (out of five)
Average value

www.mtdifficulty.co.nz

 


ant
Ant Moore Marlborough Pinot Gris 2009
$22

Hints of citrus with ripe fruit and a firm finish. Nicely balanced.

Three stars (out of five)
Average value

www.antmoore.com

 


rosa Mt Rosa Central Otago PInot Gris 2008
$26

At two years old, this wine has floral aromas, ripe pears and stone fruit with a hint of nuts
and a clean finish.

Three stars (out of five)
Average value

www.mtrosa.co.nz

 


dot Mount Dottrel Central Otago Pinot Gris 2009
$24

A fresh, zesty wine with ripe fruit and a simple, clean finish.

Three stars (out of five)
Average value

www.mitrerocks.co.nz