Foreign flair

An increasing presence on our shelves, there are plenty of affordably priced international wines worth trying.

- BY MICHAEL COOPER

Every second glass of wine consumed in New Zealand is now from overseas. A decade ago, imported labels held just over a third of the domestic market. Forty years ago, when slightly sweet white wines made from müller-thurgau grapes grown in Gisborne ruled the roost, imported wines held 5% of the market.

Today, 72% by volume of the imports flow from Australia, followed by Chile, France, Italy, South Africa, Spain and Argentina. Prestigious wines, including champagne (the real stuff), and premium Bordeaux and Burgundy, are highly visible at the luxury end of the market, but we also import a sea of cheap wine, including cask wines (retailing at the equivalent of $7-$8 per bottle), and bottled Aussie reds, sold as low as $7.99.

WHITES

Chapoutier Belleruche Côtes du Rhône 2023★★★★

This highly attractive French white is a blend of five traditional grape varieties, including grenache blanc and viognier. Full-bodied, it is buoyantly fruity, with strong, ripe stonefruit flavours, gentle spicy notes, fresh acidity and a fully dry finish. Well worth discovering. (14% alc/vol) $23-$27

Delibori Garda Pinot Grigio 2023 ★★★★

This good, all-purpose wine is from pinot gris vines, grown in the Veneto region of north-east Italy. Bright, light lemon/ green, it is medium bodied, with peachy, citrusy, slightly spicy flavours, fresh and strong, lively acidity and a dry finish. (12% alc/vol) $27

Eidosela Albariño 2023 ★★★★★

From Spain's northwest coastline, this is classic albariño. Light lemon/green, with a hint of straw, it is fresh, strong and vigorous, with penetrating, citrusy, peachy flavours, a slightly salty streak and a long, dry, crisp finish. Full of personality, it's a tightly structured, finely poised wine, for drinking now or cellaring. (12.5% alc/vol) $34-$39

Jovly Chenin Blanc Vouvray 2022 ★★★★★