Arneis and albarino are not exactly top of mind for most of us, but those brave, innovative growers who are having a go are producing (in the case of arneis) soft, mellow, herbaceous almond-flavoured wines.
With albarino, Coopers Creek SV Bell-Ringer from Gisborne is a fine effort ($20), managing to capture those slick, crisp, tropical fruit flavours with hints of spice. Both styles have a lightness and brightness to them, without too much complexity, and are pleasant easy quaffers.
Summer drinking ought not to be overwhelmed or buffeted by wines that require too much contemplation and effort. Ideally, we want wines that are appealing, approachable and on the gentle side. Tempranillo and pinotage come into their own as the cuisine heads into the red meat and pasta areas - tempranillo can be a swaggering, confident youth with loads of attitude and personality and a whisper of red berries and tobacco.
Pinotage used to have a following in the 70s but was elbowed out of the way by other reds. Now it's making a comeback and, if you like touches of pepper and a gamey "splash in the glass", this could be your new favourite.
Frankly, when the sun is shining, everything tastes great.
Recommened
2012 Tironui Estate - $23
From a relatively new 2ha vineyard overlooking New Zealand's oldest winery, Mission Estate, this wine has 66 per cent malbec and 34 per cent merlot and is full of fresh lively flavours of blackcurrant, plum and cranberry. It is soft, firm and dry.
2012 Villa Maria East Coast Arneis - 22
From the private-bin collection,with grapes from various sites between Hawkes Bay and Gisborne, this is a fine alternative to sauvignon blanc with a mix of citrus, almond and honeysuckle characters. A dry finish and lowish alcohol of 12.5 per cent.
