Syrah, known in Australia as shiraz, and viognier originally come from the Rhone Valley in southern France and can be rich and mouthfilling.
Viognier, which produces a fragrant, full-bodied white is becoming fashionable, but even more trendy is to ferment a small proportion (usually less than 5%) with syrah or shiraz, which brings out the fragrance and actually darkens the colour of the red wine.
Taylors Eighty Acres Clare Shiraz Viognier 2007
about $19
Fragrant with hints of strawberries and raspberries, this is dark and spicy with a fresh but firm, slightly grippy finish.
Livelier than many Australian reds, probably as a result of the small amount of viognier in the blend.
Eighty Acres has recently been certified as carbon neutral according to ISO14044.
Two stars (out of five)
Average value
www.taylorswines.com.au/eighty-acres
Montana Showcase Series Gisborne Viognier 2008
about $24
Fragrant with hints of honeysuckle and citrus zest, this is rich and mouthfilling with hints of mineral, tropical fruit and grapefruit, but unlike many viogniers it has a well-balanced, lively finish.
Four stars (out of five)
Good value
about $27
Hints of toasted nuts and lush tropical fruit add complexity to this dry, mouthfilling white wine.
Three stars (out of five)
Below average value
about $23
A dark, juicy wine, perfumed with brooding, spicy sweet fruit hinting of raspberries and blackberries, dense and mouthfilling with an attractive, easy finish.
Three stars (out of five)
Average value
about $26
A peppery young wine with edgy hints of mint and plums, but silky textured with a crisp finish and attractive aftertaste.
Three stars (out of five)
Average value
about $40
A complex syrah with oodles of spicy dark berry fruit lifted by hints of mineral, dried herbs and black pepper, and supported by spicy oak with undertones of dark chocolate and coffee.
A complex wine with firm tannins, structure, length and real charm and class.
Four stars (out of five)
Average value
about $50
A dense, macho wine, fragrant, rich and spicy with generous dark berry fruit and huge spicy oak all supported by a firm, muscular structure - a bit like an iron fist in a velvet glove.
Four stars (out of five)
Below average value
Salvare Hawkes Bay Viognier 2008
about $25
A big wine with hints of toast, nuts and mineral, a crisp, dry finish and lingering
Three stars (out of five)
Average value
aftertastewww.salvare.co.nz
Although wine sent for review is tasted blind to eliminate preconceptions, all wine tasting and 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.
