Pinot gris comes in several styles, from lush, oily wines with firm structure to new, lighter, lower-alcohol, crisp versions ideal for summer lunches. An extra year's bottle age has benefited some of these wines.
BEST VALUE
$15
Three and a half stars (out of five)
Good value
Pears, lychees and a hint of toastiness give texture and flavour to this mouth-filling wine with its firm, fresh finish. A year's bottle age has allowed it to develop richness.
$20
Four stars
Good value
A year's bottle age has benefited this aromatic wine. With hints of herbs and exotic fruit - lychees and guavas - it is charming and mouth-filling with a fresh, lively dry finish.
$20
Four stars
Good value
Zesty with hints of citrus and stonefruit, this lively wine has a firm structure and dry finish. Attractive and very drinkable.
$27
Three and a half stars
Below average value
Pale with hints of roasted pears, light in the mouth, fresh and lively on the finish. This is one of the new ''lifestyle'' low-alcohol (9%) wines that are lighter in flavour with a fresh acidity on the finish. Look for it on special.
$30
Four stars
Average value
Fragrant with oodles of voluptuous ripe pear and peach fruit, floral undertones and a suggestion of nuts, this is powerful and mouth-filling with a silky texture and a firm, crisp, nicely balanced finish.
$30
Four stars
Average value
Fragrant, floral and zesty with a hint of spice in the aroma, this is a powerful wine with a rich, oily texture, lovely intensity of fruit - lush pears and tropical fruit - a trace of nuttiness and a firm finish. Look for it on special.
Another Glass
Brancott Special Reserve Marlborough Pinot Gris 2013
$29
Three and a half stars
Below average value
Fragrant with floral hints and lush pears and suggestions of honey and nuts, this is a big wine, hot and a tad alcoholic on the finish but with attractive fruit on the aftertaste.
Stoneleigh Marlborough Pinot Gris 2013
$27
Three and a half stars
Below average value
Fragrant, zesty and mouth-filling with suggestions of ripe pear, peach and apple, this is a full-on wine with lots of flavour, and a fresh, if slightly hot finish. Look for it on special.
