Some white wines are described as aromatic varieties which usually refers to gewurztraminer, pinot gris and riesling. These are fragrant when you swirl and sniff them and are usually made simply in stainless steel tanks, although some gain texture by being left on lees in old barrels.
BEST VALUE
$20
Four stars (out of five)
Good value
Fragrant with hints of rose petals and salted caramel, a savoury suggestion from ageing in old barrels, textural, intense, off-dry and a long finish. Delicious.
maindivide.com
$13
Three stars
Good value
Wise Owl is a new brand from Villa Maria. The pinot gris is simple with a slight sweetness and pleasant fruit hinting of peach and pear.
wiseowlwine.co.nz
$13
Three stars
Good value
There's a competition on Wise Owl's website to guess the blend of this wine. It's nutty, round, mouth-filling and firmly flavoured - a wine to keep you guessing!
wiseowl.co.nz
$25
Four stars
Average value
A mouth-filling wine with citrus and stonefruit, savoury undertones, and texture and complexity from some barrel fermentation. Versatile with food.
$18
Three and a half stars
Average value
Attractive pinot gris, with hints of fresh pear and stone fruit, suggestions of nuts and creaming soda, off-dry with a long finish.
riverfarmwines.co.nz
$25
Four and a half stars
Good value
Golden in colour and seductive in the mouth, with suggestions of very ripe pears, honey, apricot and tropical fruit, this is lush and medium sweet but with a firm, textural backbone and nicely balanced fresh finish.
maindivide.com
ANOTHER GLASS
Brancott Flight Marlborough Pinot Gris 2013
$17.30
Two and a half stars
Below average value
Light in alcohol (9%) instead of the more common 13-14%, this is also light in the mouth and light in flavour, with just a hint of pears and lime, a touch of sweetness and a fresh finish.
brancottestate.com
