Viognier and gewurztraminer are uncommon varieties, but both are rich, mouthfilling whites.
Viognier, originating in the Rhone valley in southern France, hints of pear and is usually dry, while gewurztraminer from Alsace in northern France is voluptuous with aromas of rose petals, lychees and spice and can be either dry or with varying degrees of sweetness.
BEST VALUE
$22
Four stars
Food value
Floral aromas, suggestions of lychees and pears, with creamy, nutty hints, a silky texture and long aftertaste.
BEST VALUE
$23
Four stars
Good value
A late harvest wine, oozing rose petals, turkish delight, lychees and eau de cologne, seductively rich and off-dry but well balanced.
$24
Three stars
Average value
A dryish wine, fragrant with hints of rose petals and buttery nuts, and a crisp finish.
$22.50
Three stars
Average value
A pungent wine with hints of roses and guava, mouthfilling and textural with a crisp, lively finish.
$29
Three stars
Below average value
One of the first viogniers from Central, this is tight and dry with hints of pear and lemon, textural with a crisp, lively finish. Good with food.
$25
Three-and-a-half stars (out of five)
Average value
Hints of honeysuckle and pear meld with creamy nuts and toast from barrel fermentation to form a mouthfilling, dry wine with a crisp, long finish. Good with food.
ANOTHER GLASS
Seresin Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2009
$30
Four stars
Average value
Fragrant with hints of roses, lychees, mandarin and nuts, bright flavours, this is a lovely textural, mouthfilling off-dry wine with a crisp, lively finish.
Lawsons Dry Hills Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2009
$27
Four stars
Average value
Velvety textured with characteristic aromas and flavours of rose petals and lychees, but this year with undertones of creme brulee and toasted hazelnuts.
Waimea Nelson Viognier 2009
$24
Three stars
Average value
Hints of honey, pear and herbs, with undertones of nuts and creme brulee, and a hot, dry finish.
Gladstone Vineyard Wairarapa Viognier 2010
$24
Three stars
Average value
Hints of apples, pears and honeysuckle, a silky texture and lively, dry finish. A good food wine.
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.
