Wine: Magical medium-dry pinot gris

Pinot gris has proved an unstoppable force in this country. Our wineries now crush a whopping 24,000 tonnes; 1500 times the volume of 2005. But not all pinot gris is the same — some super-dry, right through to luxuriously rich, sweeter styles. These three are medium-dry magic.

Askerne Hawke's Bay Pinot Gris 2014
Winemaker Ant MacKenzie has done a superb job here, crafting a wine with zesty acidity, purity of fruit and real succulence. This glorious gris has flavours of poached quince, juicy nashi pear and spicy apple strudel. Excellent length of flavour also means it's a new favourite for me.
Price: $22

Awatere River by Louis Vavasour Marlborough Pinot Gris 2014
The Vavasour family began farming Marlborough's Awatere Valley back in 1887. A century later, Louis Vavasour's parents planted the first grapevines on their Dashwood property. This pinot gris oozes yellow plum and nashi notes, enhanced by baking spices and pot pourri characters. It has a luscious, deeply textural mouthfeel, crunchy acidity and a juicy finish. Lovely stuff.
Price: $25

Neudorf Moutere Pinot Gris 2014
I love the soft, sweet cornflower, pear and poached white fruit aromas that lead to a rush of juicy stonefruit and hints of cashew on the palate. Dry and deliciously structured, this Nelson-crafted wine has verve, with an attractive, chalky texture on the finish to keep you engaged long after that first taste.
Price: $29