New Zealand Listener – June 01, 2019

40 LISTENER JUNE 1 2019

G
ET

TY

IM

AG

ES

V

ibrant, appe-

tisingly crisp

whites, fruity

rosés and fresh,

light reds hit the

spot in summer.

But in winter,

more robust, richer wines can

help to fortify you against the

seasonal chill. Mouthfilling,

deep-flavoured whites, particu-

larly fine-quality chardonnay,

are perfect at this time of year.

Weighty, full-bodied, complex

reds – served at a comfortable

room temperature – are also in

peak demand.

WHITES

Akarua Rua Central Otago Pinot

Gris 2018

Hand-picked at Bannockburn,

this is a dry style of pinot gris.

It is sturdy (14.5% alc/vol),

fragrant and fresh, with very

good depth of stonefruit and

pear flavours, full of youthful

vigour. $24

by Michael Cooper

WINE

Liquid

luxury

Warming wines for

the winter months.

Askerne Hawke’s Bay Viognier

2018

Offering great value, this

barrel-fermented wine is

fragrant and full-bodied (14%

alc/vol), with generous, ripe

stonefruit flavours, a hint of

toasty oak adding complexity

and a dryish, well-rounded

finish. $23

Church Road Grand Reserve

Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017

This powerful, yet elegant

wine was hand-harvested and

aged in French oak. It has a fra-

grant, slightly smoky bouquet

leading into a weighty wine

(13% alc/vol), with concen-

trated, peachy, toasty flavours

showing impressive complex-

ity and a lasting finish. $34

Greystone Waipara Valley North

Canterbury Gewürztraminer 2018

Certified organic, this highly

perfumed wine is delicious in

its youth. Hand-picked and

partly barrel fermented, it is

softly mouthfilling (14% alc/

vol), with fresh, rich, peachy,

gently spicy flavours, moderate

acidity, a hint of sweetness and

loads of drink-young appeal.

$33

Hãhã Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2018

Priced sharply, this is an easy-

drinking, smooth, dry wine.

Fragrant, fleshy (13.5% alc/vol)

and vibrantly fruity, it has ripe

stonefruit and spice

flavours, fresh acidity

and very good deli-

cacy and depth. $18

Hunter’s Marlborough

Pinot Gris 2018

Already drinking well,

this is a buoyantly

fruity wine. A dry

style, it is invit-

ingly scented, with

mouthfilling body (14% alc/

vol), strong, peachy, citrusy,

slightly spicy and gingery

flavours, a touch of complex-

ity and a finely balanced, long

finish. $20

Jackson Estate Somerset Block 2

Single Vineyard Waihopai Valley

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

2017

Full of personality, this is an

aromatic, intensely varietal

wine. It is full-bodied (13% alc/

vol), with strong, ripe, tropical

fruit flavours, bottle-aged notes

adding a toasty complexity

and a crisp, dry, lasting finish.

$29

The Last Shepherd Gisborne

Chardonnay 2017

A typical example of the

regional style, this is a rich,

ripe, well-rounded dry white.

Full-bodied (13% alc/vol), it

has strong, peachy, slightly

buttery flavours that show

THIS LIFE