close button

100 Wines for Winter 2015: Light, Fruity Whites

May 28, 2015 Drinks

MT0615Wine (4)

 

Off-dry or crisp, refreshing everyday drinking, also great with seafood, cheeses or light mains.

Tasting notes by Paul Tudor.

 

MT9999_METRO_150504_JUN_WINE_0020

Framingham Classic Riesling 2013, Marlborough ($25)
This relatively youthful wine boasts floral, citrus, waxy aromas, a lean, limey impression in the mouth, offset slightly by some toasty secondary characters. While not completely dry, there is an acid drive and backbone that would make for a great match with lots of different dishes. Outstanding example of riesling.

Framingham_Gewurztraminer

Framingham Gewürztraminer 2013, Marlborough ($30)
This is an intense, vibrant, brilliant local example of this variety. Ripe lychee, spice, citrus blossom nose, textural and rich mouthfeel, well supported with sappy phenolics. Off-dry and not necessarily an easy food match, but it is so pure it is worth trying out a few combinations. Impressive wine. TOP 10

MT9999_METRO_150504_JUN_WINE_0002

Framingham Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Marlborough ($21)
Classic Marlborough sauvignon blanc with passionfruit and bell pepper aromas, juicy, generous fruit also evident on the palate, which is rich and dense. Perhaps a hint of sweetness, but  there is racy acidity and a clean, fresh finish. Enjoy as an aperitif or with a light lunch.

MT9999_METRO_150513_JUN-WINE_0021

Mount Riley Gewürztraminer 2014, Marlborough ($17)
Lovely aromatics, fragrant stonefruit, rose petal, a hint of ginger, this juicy, tropical fruit also shines through on the palate with a touch of bitterness to balance. An upfront, fruity example that would go well with lighter seafood dishes, or salty foods. BEST BUY

Seifried-Gruner-Veltliner

Seifried Estate Grüner Veltliner 2014, Nelson ($19)
Grüner veltliner is Austria’s most celebrated variety and this is a very good expression of what to expect. Celery and green herbs abound on the nose, with musky undertones, followed by a subtle, oily texture in the mouth, nicely counterbalanced by crunchy acidity. Top stuff. BEST BUY

MT9999_METRO_150504_JUN_WINE_0018

Spy Valley Pinot Gris 2014, Marlborough ($24)
Youthful colour, intensely fruity bouquet, peach and nectarine aromas, faintly fragrant, this tastes of stonefruit in the mouth, some firmness and texture also, but otherwise a simple, off-dry style for everyday drinking.

MT9999_METRO_150504_JUN_WINE_0010

Tatty Bogler Pinot Gris 2012, Otago ($25)
Pale gold, stewed fruit characters, just a whiff of oatmeal or yeast. In the mouth, that grapefruit character comes through again but the palate is medium-dry, the sweetness balanced by pithy, sappy skin characters. Pretty, approachable wine, with delicate texture and subtle fruit.

MT9999_METRO_150504_JUN_WINE_0011

Thistle Ridge Sauvignon Blanc Greystone 2013, Waipara ($20)
A tight, restrained, mineral wine, with cut grass, honeysuckle and fresh herb aromas, crunchy acidity and a long, dry finish. More subtle than Marlborough examples, but would make a great match with oysters, smoked salmon, light duck dishes and lamb.

 

More Best Wines for Winter 2015:

Sparkling Wines

Aperitif Wines

Tasty, Textural Whites

Full-bodied, Complex Whites

Dessert Wines

Light or Aromatic Reds

Medium-bodied, Savoury Reds

Full-bodied Reds

Latest

Latest issue shadow

Metro N°441 is Out Now.

It’s our annual, inflation-busting ‘Where to Eat for Less Than $25’ list (with thanks to Uber Eats) issue! PLUS the Summer Books Special and the Auckland Property Report Card (with thanks to Barfoot and Thompson). Also, Sir Bob Harvey looks into the missing treasures in our museums and talks to Jacqui Knight about monarch butterflies. AND NOT ONLY THAT: Emil Scheffmann looks into our secondary art market, Matthew Hooton and Morgan Godfery look into the new government, Jamie Wall into the tennis, Hana Pera Aoake into the Māori response to the war in Palestine and Abby Howells into being the lion in the Wizard of Oz. We also find the 10 Best Bakeries in Auckland, a great recipe for a Japanese Breakfast and the king of the supermarket pasta brands. All this and much, much more.

Buy the latest issue