Characteristically pinot gris oozes sweet fruit hinting of pears and has a silky or oil texture but unless well balanced is often marred by the obtrusive heat of high alcohol.
BEST UNDER $20
$17
Three stars (out of five)
Good value
From the Ohau river area just north of the Kapiti coast, this hints of pear and white peach with a suggestion of caramel and nuts on the finish.
www.wovenstone.co.nz
$20
Three and a half stars
Good value
A rich wine oozing ripe pears and lightly caramelised peaches with a hint of nuttiness and attractive sweetness.
www.rockburn.co.nz
$27
Three and a-half stars
Average value
Mainly Bannockburn fruit lifted with some from the Waitaki, this is fragrant with hints of quince and pear with a suggestion of caramelised peaches.
$25
Four stars
Good value
Fragrant and zesty with hints of pungent herbs and flowers, a silky texture and lots of character, oozes mouthfilling fruit with hints of nuts. Not for the faint-hearted.
$26
Three and a-half stars
Average value
An elegant, attractive wine with hints of nashi pear, stone and citrus fruit, and a nicely balanced finish.
$25
Three and a-half stars
Average value
This has benefited from an extra year's bottle age, developing complexity and texture. It's mouthfilling with a nutty undertone and a dry finish.
www.murdochjames.co.nz
ANOTHER GLASS
Wild South Marlborough Pinot Gris 2011
$20
Three stars
Average value
A light wine, slightly sweet with a firm finish.
Bouldevines Marlborough Pinot Gris 2011
$25
Three stars
Below average value
Hints of apple and ripe pear with an oily texture and a hot finish.
Seresin Momo Marlborough Pinot Gris 2011
$23
Three stars
Average value
An aromatic, mouthfilling wine with sweet fruit, a hint of caramel and a dry, hot finish.
Soho Jagger Marlborough Pinot Gris 2011
$27
Three stars
Below average value
Dusty, floral aromas, with hints of pear, an oily texture, but although it seems to lack vibrancy, it is well balanced with a dry finish. A stylish new label with wines from around the country.
- 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.
