That was the message from wine writer and author Joelle Thomson, a special guest at the Alexandra Basin Winegrowers' annual new release tasting yesterday.
The event showcased 17 vineyards and was also part of the inaugural Down to Earth Wine Celebration.
''Riesling is the unsung hero of the wine world and of this region. I think we should drink more riesling. The rieslings from here are outstanding,'' she told a crowd of several hundred people who attended the new release tasting.
The Central Otago climate helped the grapes develop intense flavours.
The area's pinot gris and gewurztraminer were equally impressive and the pinot noir produced in the Alexandra basin was ''sensational''.
Although they were paler than those produced in Bannockburn or Bendigo, the pinot noirs were ''elegant'', Ms Thomson said, More than 50 wines were featured at the seventh annual Alexandra Basin wine launch.
Weaver Estate Wines co-owner Liz Weaver said as well as launching the new wines, it was nice to be in the company of the area's other grape growers.
''It's really nice for all of us to be together at something, as a group.''
The Down to Earth event is a 12-day celebration with activities in all the wine sub-regions -Gibbston, Bannockburn, Bendigo, Lowburn, Pisa, Cromwell, Wanaka and the Alexandra basin.
Matching food and wine was one of the themes and 56 food and wine events were planned, including seven degustation dinners.
