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
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
Fragrant with a hint of mineral and sweet, ripe apples and pears, this lively wine has a refreshing finish.
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
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
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
ANOTHER GLASS
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
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
Sweet ripe fruit with a silky texture and a clean, fresh finish.
Three stars (out of five)
Average value
Hints of citrus with ripe fruit and a firm finish. Nicely balanced.
Three stars (out of five)
Average value
www.antmoore.com [6]
Mt Rosa
Central Otago PInot Gris 2008
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 [7]
Mount Dottrel
Central Otago Pinot Gris 2009A fresh, zesty wine with ripe fruit and a simple, clean finish.
Three stars (out of five)
Average value
Links:
[1] http://www.pegasusbay.com
[2] http://www.rockburn.co.nz
[3] http://www.mtdifficulty.co.nz
[4] http://www.hawkesheadwine.com
[5] http://www.atarangi.co.nz
[6] http://www.antmoore.com
[7] http://www.mtrosa.co.nz
[8] http://www.mitrerocks.co.nz