Wine: Get independent

2009 Terredora di Paolo Greco di Tufo $28.90. Photo / Supplied

Last week's column focused on the infuriatingly futile search for something interesting on a supermarket wine shelf. And since I've found those poorly stocked shelves to be wanting, it is only fair to share where I do find good wines, in all price brackets.

This week it was Scenic Cellars of Lake Taupo, with its views and 1700-plus wines online - and even more in-store. The wines here move so swiftly that the store's owners have taken a punt on some of the wildest, weirdest, most out-there wines on Earth.

Few wine lovers - even dedicated oenophiles - will have heard of the Spanish white, Albarino, the Sicilian red, Nero d'Avola, Greco di Tufo or Aglianico, but a single sip of these unusual vinos will have you hooked.

The friends I tasted the Albarino with all loved its full-bodied style and flavoursome, lingering, dry finish. It's a Spanish white from Galicia in Northern Spain's Rias Baixas region. Greco di Tufo, a peachy, dry white wine, is originally from Greece, but is now grown on Southern Italy's Calabria coast. New Zealanders appreciate variety, so ditch the boring blandness from the supermarket wine aisle and support local independent wine stores.

Wines of the week

2008 Terredora Campania Aglianico $23.90
Originally brought to Italy by Greeks in the 6th century BC, this version tastes gamey, savoury and light on fruit, but with big staunch tannins. Terredora has been at the forefront of the wine renaissance in Campania since the 1970s.

2008 Valminor Rias Baixas Albarino $29.90
It's rare to find such a deliciously different, crowd-pleasing white with a full body and aromatic taste - especially from the north of Spain. Try it.

2009 Terredora di Paolo Greco di Tufo $28.90
It's tempting to liken this white to a chardonnay or sauvignon blanc, but in fact it's entirely different, with peachy aromas, a dry taste and tangy finish.

* All wines this week are from Scenic Cellars, Taupo,phone (07) 378 5704. sceniccellars.co.nz