Aromatics means varieties like pinot gris, gewrztraminer, viognier, riesling, etc. Here are three that I'm loving right now.
Allan Scott Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2015, $19
(gah-werts-tra-meener). Fans of Turkish Delight will want to do a little dance as soon as they sip this, because with its alluring rose petal, ginger andmusky-sweet lychee-like aromas and tangy, spicy mid-palate punch it's a stunner. allanscott.com
Palliser Martinborough Riesling 2015, $22
Allan Johnson has been Chief Winemaker at Palliser since 1991 and he's helped load more than 80 gold medals into their trophy cabinet. Riesling is one of the things he does best. The word here is purity. It's all about clean white florals, sleek citrus, a splash of honeysuckle and a long, flinty finish. It's one of the best of its kind and amazing with grilled peach and salted ricotta salad. palliser.co.nz
What Steve and Eileen Voysey don't know about growing grapes in Gisborne probably isn't worth knowing. They glean excellence from their vineyards and this stonefruit-packed pinot gris is no exception. With nashi pear, quince and classic baked apple and musky spice characters, it's a stunner. There's a squeak of fruit sweetness that adds flesh to the finish. Try sipping it with coconut crumbed tiger prawns and sweet chilli sauce. spadeoak.co.nz
