White wine drinkers usually stay with their varietal of choice like sauvignon blanc, chardonnay or riesling. Throw caution to the wind and branch out - I dare you.
2013 Richmond Plains Blanc de Noir Blanc de noir is French for "white of blacks". This is a white wine made from dark-skinned grapes by gently pressing them and running the pale juice off the skins as soon as possible.Concentrated and softly textured with strong flavours of nectarine, peach and fresh pear, it is a slight blush colour with a mouth-watering watermelon finish. Lovely with anything light and very good buying. Price: $23
2013 Churton Petit Manseng (500ml) Sam Churton is one of New Zealand's most fastidious and clever winemakers and committed to a holistic biodynamic philosophy. Made from the first petit manseng vines planted in the country (in Marlborough's Waihopai Valley), this is hugely aromatic with lemon rind, quince, wax pine nuts, apple and sherbet. Divine with goat's cheese. Price: $49
2013 Mahurangi River Roussanne/Viognier From grapes grown on the north-facing slopes of Matakana clay loams, this is an enterprising blend of roussanne, the fashionable white grape of France's Rhone, and viognier (also from Rhone), which is starting to gain a following here. Together they create a complex-yet-subtle mix of tastes including melon, lemon zest, meringue pie, fennel and green tea, all underpinned with classic savoury components. It has a clean, fresh finish and goes beautifully with shellfish. Price: $60 (at cellar door, tiny production)
