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
Wild River Waipara Dry Pinot Gris 2011
$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.
www.finewinedelivery.co.nz
Waimea Nelson Pinot Gris 2011
$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.
www.waimeabrands.com
Matawhero Gisborne Pinot Gris 2011
$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.
www.matawhero.co.nz
Domain Road Co Pinot Gris 2011
$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.
www.domainroad.co.nz
Mahi Ward farm Pinot Gris 2011
$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.
www.mahiwine.co.nz
Neudorf Moutere Pinot Gris 2011
$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.
www.neudorf.co.nz
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.
www.riverbyestate.com
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.
www.pasquale.co.nz
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