Lively, zesty riesling, whether it's dry, off-dry or medium sweet, is refreshing on a summer's day or evening. Its crisp acidity goes well with a range of summer food - seafood, vegetable dishes, lighter meats and, of course, cheese.
BEST VALUE
$18
Three and a half stars (out of five)
Good value
A crisp, dry wine, fragrant with hints of lime and lemon marmalade, a faint suggestion of honey and a lingering, crisp citrusy finish. Best with food with some fat, such as cheese or oil, to cut the dry acidity.
$27
Four stars
Average value
Fragrant with zesty lime juice, lemongrass and grapefruit, and lovely citrus overtones suggesting grapefruit marmalade, but it's restrained at present, textural with a steely backbone and tight structure that indicates it will develop with bottle age.
$24
Four stars
Good value
Fragrant with grapefruit zest and lime, this hints of tangelo and lime and grapefruit marmalade, with attractive fruit and a steely backbone. It's deliciously balanced, crisp and dry on the finish but without the searing acidity of some. Very drinkable.
waimeabrands.com
$23
Thre and a half stars
Average value
With hints of honey and citrus, this is a mouth-filling wine with undertones of lime marmalade, a suggestion of nuts, a fresh, dryish finish and lingering aftertaste. Drinking nicely at present. If you are passing through Waipara north of Christchurch, visit Black Estate's new black tasting room.
$24
Four stars
Good value
This is the first riesling from a steep hillside site above Lake Dunstan and is suffused with a schisty minerality that sets it apart. There's attractive fruit - lime and grapefruit, weight in the mouth and a firm, dry, lingering finish.
$30
Four stars
Average value
There's complexity and texture here, along with enticing aromas of lime, lemon, and fresh grapefruit, followed by intense, almost tropical fruit, but it's tightly structured with nuances of nuts and even caramel, and completed by a well-balanced, dry finish. It will repay some bottle age.
