REVIEW: Celebrating bubbles and tasty gewurztraminers

Bubblies range from sweet and fruity like the Italian Asti or the pretty pink Brown Brothers Zibbibo Rosa (about $17 ) from Australia, best served well chilled, to nutty, dry elegant wines like the beautifully harmonious Deutz Marlborough Cuvée Blanc de Blancs 2005 (about $37).

Then there are the Australian sparkling shirazes, full-bodied, rich, purple mouthfuls of sparkling pleasure.

The other half of this tasting is of lush, mouthfilling gewurztraminers.

 

Montana Chardonnay Pinot Noir Brut Cuvée (about $20) is a stylish sparkling wine with hints of nuts and freshly baked bread, fruit in the background and a delicious, lingering finish.

3 1/2 stars (out of 5).

 

 

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Spy Valley Echelon Marlborough Methode Traditionelle 2005 (about $29) is another elegant sparkler with a pale pinkish tinge, light and fresh in the mouth but with a lingering, dryish finish.

3 1/2 stars (out of 5).

 

 

Wyndham Estate Bin 555 Sparkling Shiraz (about $17). A simple but very acceptable version of this Australian specialty. Dark, with bright fruit and a firm finish, it's more shiraz than sparkle but delicious for a change. Good with turkey or ham at (midwinter) Christmas.

3 stars (out of 5).

 

 

Spy Valley Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2007 (about $20) is fragrant with hints of eau de cologne and tropical fruits, mouthfilling but relatively restrained for this variety, with a crisp dry finish.

3 1/2 stars (out of 5).

 

 

 

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Montana Riverpoint Gisborne Gewurztraminer 2007 (about $24) oozes aromas of rose petals and is intensely flavoured with suggestions of nashi and golden delicious apples.

It has a rich, oily texture and a bright finish with a slight sweetness on the lingering aftertaste.

3 1/2 stars (out of 5).

 

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Saint Clair Pioneer Block 12 Lone Gum Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2006 (about $25) is a late-harvest style, lush and rich, oozing floral, zesty aromas, with hints of grapefruit, ripe golden peaches, tropical fruits, roses and nuts. It's a big, oily textured wine with a lingering, dryish finish.

3 1/2 stars (out of 5).