Wine buffs will have noticed a few bottles of Gruner Veltiner and Arneis appearing on winelists and wine shop shelves as New Zealand wine growers experiment with these whitevarieties.
Grüner Veltliner is native to Austria and produces a refreshing wine with hints ofwhite pepper, green beans, spice and herbs and a dry finish. It's good with food and fine examples can be long lived.
Arneis comes from north west Italy (it means little rascal because it can be difficult to grow) and produces a fresh but often full-bodied dry wine with hints of apple and pear.
Framingham Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2009, $28
Four and a half stars (out of five)
Good value
Wonderfully aromatic and mouthfilling with hints of roses and turkish delight, undertones ofspice, ginger and nuts, rich and lush in the mouth, but it also manages to remain just this sideof over the top. Delicious.
Seifried Nelson Gruner Veltliner 2011, $21
Three stars (out of five)
Average value
Hints of peach with nutty undertones, attractive fruit and a decent, dry finish.
Forrest The Doctors' Marlborough Gruner Veltliner 2011, $25
Three and a half stars (out of five)
Average value
With attractive fruit hinting of fresh apple and herbs, this is nicely balanced with a lively dryfinish.
Forrest The Doctors' Marlborough Arneis 2011, $25
Three and a half stars (out of five)
Average value
A zesty, dry wine with hints of mineral, white peach and apple, full in the mouth with anattractive bright, textural finish.
Waimea Edel 2010, $21
Three stars (out of five)
Average value
This blend of 47% riesling, 41% pinot gris and 12% gewurztraminer is inspired by Alsatianedelzwicker (white blend). It is more savoury than the fragrant 09, with underlying hints of toasted nuts and caramel, a suggestion of mineral and a dryish finish.
Seifried Nelson Gewurztraminer 2011, $21
Three stars (out of five)
Average value
Floral with with rich fruit, underlying hints of caramel, toast and nuts, and a crisp, dry finish.
Although wine sent for review is tasted blind to eliminate preconceptions, all wine tastingand evaluation is subjective. These are personal recommendations.
• Two stars - simple, clean, enjoyable wine; three stars - good wine with varietal characteristics; four stars - very good wine with some outstanding characteristics; five stars- outstanding wine with balance and harmony that leaves you with a sense of wonder.
