Pinot gris tends to be a wine people either enjoy or can't be bothered with. Apart from appreciating a few stylish versions, I have to admit I fall into the latter camp, especially when they are sweet and unbalanced by high alcohol that leaves a burn in the mouth.
BEST VALUE
$19
Three and a half stars (out of five)
Good value
From cooler parts of Hawkes Bay, this is zesty and textural, oozing lively pears and peaches with a dryish finish.
$21
Three and a half stars
Average value
Zesty with hints of herbs, fresh pear and white peach, and underlying suggestions of toasty nuts, this is nicely balanced with intensity and weight but also an attractive, lively finish.
$21
Three stars
Below average value
Simple with attractive fruit - nectarines and pears - a suggestion of nuts from lees contact, off-dry, with a clean finish.
$22
Three stars
Below average value
Fragrant with oodles of lush pear, peach and quince, this is medium sweet and mouth-filling with a hot finish.
$23
Three and a half stars
Average value
Lush sweet fruit, pears and ripe peaches are tempered with a light hint of nuttiness from a portion fermented in old barrels, which morphs into a full, hot finish.
$25
Three and a half stars
Average value
From a vineyard in the Bridge Pa triangle near the winery, this is attractive with hints of pears, peaches and nuts, with a suggestion of mineral, and a dry, textural finish.
ANOTHER GLASS
Gladstone Wairarapa Pinot Gris 2013
$25
Three and a half stars
Average value
Hints of sweet pear and stone fruit, but restrained by underlying texture, a suggestion of savoury, toasty nuttiness, and a dry finish.
Sileni Park Hill Hawkes Bay Pinot Gris 2013
$25
Three stars
Below average value
From clay coastal soils this this is lush with sweet poached pear and stone fruits, mouth-filling but fresh with a hot finish.
Seasons - By Alison Lambert - Available for purchase now!

The Otago Daily Times and Alison have collaborated to bring you her first cookbook – Seasons.
This book is the ultimate year-round cookbook. Seasons is filled with versatile recipes designed to inspire creativity in the kitchen, offering plenty of ideas for delicious accompaniments and standout dishes that highlight the best of what each season has to offer.
$49.99 each. Purchase here.
$44.99 for ODT subscribers. Get your discount code here.