An exotic Middle-Eastern mélange of poached quinces, sticky dates and tree-ripened figs, laced with vanilla bean, cardamom and hints of black licorice. This is a ripe, opulent expression of the pinot gris grape in a voluptuous off-dry style that has considerable concentration and a long, luscious finish. The three clones were hand-picked separately at high ripeness levels and whole-bunch pressed using very low maceration press cycles. The resulting juice was cold settled, then racked to fermentation vessels. Most of the juice went through a natural indigenous yeast fermentation in old French oak barriques and the balance was fermented in stainless steel tanks using cultured yeast. Towards the end of fermentation all the wine was transferred to stainless steel tanks where the fermentations were stopped, retaining 10 g/l residual sugar. The wine then spent a year on yeast lees (seven months in old barrels and the remaining time in stainless steel tanks) prior to blending and bottling. Kevin Judd is one of Marlboroughs pioneer winemakers whose career is intrinsically linked with the global profile of New Zealand wine. Kevin was born in England and grew up in Australia, where he studied winemaking at Roseworthy College and first made wine at Reynella in South Australia. He moved to New Zealand in 1983 and joined Selaks Wines. Subsequently, he became the founding winemaker at Cloudy Bay, a pivotal role during which he directed the companys first 25 vintages. In 2009 he established his own label, Greywacke, named after New Zealands prolific bedrock. The Name: New Zealand does not have a designated national rock, but if one was ever chosen it would have to be greywacke (pron: grey-wacky). This drab grey stone is found everywhere in New Zealand on the mountains, in the rivers, on the beaches. It consists of layers of hard, muddy grey sandstone alternating with thinner layers of darker mudstone (argillite). Technically the term greywacke refers to the sandstone (wacke is a German name for a type of sandstone), but it is also used as a general term for the entire rock.

AMELIE & CHARLES SPARR Brand Grand Cru Pinot Gris, Wettolsheim 2017 Hailing from the Brand Grand Cru, this Pinot Gris is grown on granitic soils at 380 metres altitude. Gold yellow in colour, it has enticing aromas of violets and minerals with subtle peach hints. Aging on fine less has added a wonderful textural dimension to the palate, which cries out for food cheeses or spicy would be an inspired choice. Grown according to the Ecocert certification, this is a ravishing Pinot Gris you dont want to miss.

Meet Mishas Vineyard. Exclusive to Langtons, this Central Otago vineyard has been making captivating wines since 2003. With a range named for the namesake founders theatrical family, its no wonder the label is garnering applause. The Dress Circle Pinot Gris is elegant and fresh, with aromatics indicative of its Central Otago provenance. With classic Pinot Gris aromatics of white pear, apple blossom, orange zest and cinnamon, the gentle dry palate has a mineral backbone finishing with a note of honeysuckle.Oliver Masters, Winemaker The Dress Circle is a foolproof pairing for food, or simply a refreshing Pinot Gris to sit back and enjoy.