New Zealand pinot gris is diverging into two styles - a lush, fruit-driven version with someresidual sweetness and sometimes overbearing alcohol, and a drier, more complex, style, often with somelees ageing or barrel fermentation.
BEST UNDER $20
$15
Three stars (out of five)
Good value
A simple, fruit-driven wine, oozing lush, ripe peaches, pears and tropical fruit salad with a suggestion of herbs and afirm, dryish finish.
$19
Three stars (out of five)
Average value
Zesty aromas, lots of lush, sweet fruit - peaches pears, tropical fruit and a hint of citrus, with a slight nutty undertone, rich with mouth-filling alcohol and a hot finish.
$25.90
Four stars
Average value
A stylish, wine, more about structure and texture than overblown fruit, although there is fruit weight along with hints of honey, savoury notes, a suggestion of nuts, and a long, clean, dry finish. A well-balanced, food wine from a long established vineyard.
$27
Three and a half stars
Below average value
A sweeter style of pinot gris, oozing lush tropical and pip fruit with a hint of nuttiness anda clean, crisp, long aftertaste.
$29
four stars
Aaverage value
A rich, mouth-filling wine with savoury and floral notes, a hint of golden syrup, and a long dry, textural finish.
Whole bunch pressing and barrel fermentation with wild yeast has given it a stylish structure and texture, and reined in the fruit.
$29.90
Four and a half stars
Average value
Rich, textural and mouth-filling, this is an intriguing, complex wine with citrus overtones, hints of mandarin,nuts and caramel, and a long, well-balanced finish. It demonstrates the potential of pinot gris to make a seriously fine wine.
ANOTHER GLASS
Riverby Estate Marlborough Pinot Gris 2011
$21
Three stars
Average value
A hint of ripe pears and peaches, with a dusty finish and lingering sweetness on the aftertaste.
Pasquale Waitaki Pinot Grigio 2011
$34
Three and a half stars
Below average value
A young wine that takes time to reveal its lush fruit held in restraint by a firm structure anda lean dry finish. Pinot grigio is the Italian name for this variety.
