Wine: NZ wines seeking points of difference

Three New Zealand wines seeking points of difference while retaining those elements you expect to find in wines you particularly enjoy.

All wines available from bitewine.co.nz for a limited time.

2014 12,000 Miles Gladstone Vineyard Pinot Gris
A crowd-pleaser, especially during sultry summer months. An excellent choice for people who want a white wine that's not sauvignon or chardonnay, it is suited to an eclectic range of foods. This has all you want - white peach, pear, apricot and almond with musky and floral aromas. Lovely and inexpensive.
Price: $21

2014 Saint Clair Pioneer Block 3, 43 Degrees Sauvignon Blanc
In an overwhelming sea of sauvignon sameness, it's important to discover one with the characteristics you crave and expect - and the pleasant surprises you don't. Take a bow, Saint Clair, this is so named because the vineyard rows are planted at (you guessed it) 43 degrees northeast to southwest. The result is a lovely drop with a flinty character along with copious traditional flavours.
Price: $27

2012 Aronui Pinot Noir
A single vineyard Nelson wine that slips nicely into that "under $30 and value for money" category. The grapes are from the Upper Moutere area of Nelson that regularly produces pinots of subtlety, power and excellence.

Full-bodied and fleshy, with all the dark fruit flavours you could wish for and enough spiciness to hold your interest until the last drop. This would be perfect with game.
Price: $28