The alcohol content of wine has been creeping up over the past few years, and with it the number of standard drinks the bottle contains. These days, with most wines around 13% to more than 14%, you get between about 7½ and 8½ standard drinks, which will be less than 100mls - a smaller amount than most of us pour.
Pinot gris tends to be high, around 14%, and generally has an alcoholic burn on the finish.
BEST UNDER $20
$19
An attractive fruit salad of a wine - oodles of tropical fruit, ripe peaches and nectarines, with a bright, juicy finish.
Average value
Three and a half stars (out of five)
wild south pin gris 09.JPG
BEST UNDER $20
$19
A fragrant, dryish wine with hints of toffee and nuts, tightly structured and nicely textured.
Average value
Three and a half stars
tohu pin gris 09.JPG
$18
Ripe stone and tropical fruit, with a hint of spice and a hot finish.
Average value
Three stars
spinyback pin gris 09.JPG
$18
Fragrant with ripe pears and tropical fruit salad, an oily texture and a hot finish.stone
Average value
Three stars
mount riley pin gris 09.JPG
$27
Fragrant with oodles of tropical and ripe stone fruit, an oily texture and a juicy, but hot aftertaste.
Below average value
Three and a half stars
stoneleigh pin gris 09.JPG
$25
Ponui Island is near Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf. This is a charming, textural wine with ripe tropical fruit, a juicy finish and better balance than many others in this tasting.
Average value
Four stars
manowarvineyards.co.nz
man o war pin gris 09.JPG
ANOTHER GLASS
Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Viognier 2009
$30
Among the pinot gris this viognier stood out for its complexity and texture. Although barrel fermented, the oak is understated, giving creamy hints of nuts to enhance the fruit. However, at 14.2%, it has a hot finish.
Below average value
Four stars
Waimea Bolitho Nelson Pinot Gris 2009
$25
A late harvest style, this oozes pineapple, mango and ripe peaches, a hint of toffee, an oily texture and finishes with a firm, medium-sweet aftertaste.
Below average value
Three and a half stars
Although wine sent for review is tasted blind to eliminate preconceptions, all wine tasting and evaluation is subjective. These are personal recommendations. charmian.smith@odt.co.nz
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.
