Stylish wines for summer

Leading Waikato wine label Vilagrad has relaunched its popular Charminer range in time for Christmas.

Charminer - a blend of chardonnay and gewerztraminer grapes - has proved a hit with Kiwi wine drinkers, so much so the last release quickly sold out.

The wine was named through an online competition which combined the names of the two grapes used in the blend.

A later development was the creation of a carbonated Sparkling Charminer, another wine which proved a hit with the public.

A new release of Sparkling Charminer will also be on specialist wine stores shelves and in selected supermarkets shortly.

Buyers of Charminer and Sparkling Charminer will be eligible to enter an online competition to win a year's supply of either wine.

Both wines are full bodied with a hint of sweetness on the palate and a long, satisfying finish.

The latest Sparkling Charminer has a little less sweetness - ideal for summer lunches.

Award-winning Vilagrad winemaker Jacob Nooyen says the latest release of the cellar's pinot gris is still young, but drinking very well - a promising sign from last year's great vintage.

He also recommends the newly released Vilagrad Mt Pirongia Chardonnay which is showing early hints of being a rewarding wine.