Riesling runs the gamut from lusciously sweet, through medium or off-dry fruity wines to dry wines with a backbone of steely acidity, which tend to develop more richness and charm with a few years bottle age.
Hunters Marlborough Riesling 2008
($19.50)
Fragrant with a hint of lime and tropical fruit, suggestions of mineral and a steely finish as taut as a violin string, this wine is a stylish accompaniment to food - particularly fish, or even pork belly.
- 3 stars (out of five)
- Good value
Main Divide Waipara Riesling 2008
($19.95)
A little botrytis brings a suggestion of apricot and honey to the lime and kiwi undertones, and richness and texture to this medium sweet wine. However the finish is crisp and dry with a hint of mineral. Good with rich blue cheese or chicken with apricot.
- 3 stars (out of five)
- Good value
($24.50)
A wonderfully textural wine, complex with hints of lime marmalade and buttered toast, a firm backbone that suggests mineral and toffee, and a long, finish. Off-dry, stylish and very drinkable.
- 4 stars (out of five)
- Good value
($27)
A year older than the other wines in this tasting, this is fragrant with hints of lime and a suggestion of petroleum - a characteristic of maturing riesling - full in the mouth with a dry finish. Good with seafood, or something flavoured with lemongrass or ginger.
- 3 stars (out of five)
- Below average value
($27)
This blend of pinot gris, riesling and gewurztraminer is the first from Antonio Pasquale's Hakararamea vineyard. It hints of roses and lime with attractive fruit and a crisp, bright finish. It's good with rich blue cheese.
- 3 stars (out of five)
- Below average value
Available by mail order, www.pasquale.co.nz
($32)
Here's one for aficionados to cellar for three or five years to allow it to develop. When first opened it was taut with hints of lime, mineral and tart apples, and a steely, searing acidity, but the following day had developed an attractive aroma which suggests its potential for developing, as good riesling does.
- 3 stars (out of five)
- Below average value
www.prophetsrock.co.nz~ ANOTHER GLASS ~
Rippon Central Otago Riesling 2008
($32.50)
More complex than the Jeunesse (see above), this also suggests nuts, toffee and lime marmalade on buttered toast, with a hint of nuts and a lovely richness that belies the steely searingly dry backbone. Delicious now but will develop with bottle age.
- 4 stars (out of five)
- Average value
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. Although wine sent for review is tasted blind to eliminate preconceptions, all wine tasting and evaluation is subjective. These are personal recommendations.
