The Co-operative Premium Marlborough Pinot Grigio 2011, New Zealand

This is a Co-op own label, but the press details tell me it's made by Yealands Estate from the Awatere Valley in Marlborough, whose Grüner Veltliner and Riesling impressed and intrigued me at a Liberty Wines tasting a few weeks ago.

Straight out of the bottle, there are prominent, up-front aromas of pear drops and wet stones on the nose with yeasty, toasty, golden-baked pastry notes.

And curiously, as with the previous Yealands Estate wines, there is also a touch of classic kiwi herbaceousness as if there's something in the air in this part of the world.

The palate is full and weighty, with crisp apples-and-pears, ripe, tropical fruit acidity and a savouriness. On the finish, there is a toastiness and a persistent mineral-acidity.

Full-on, up-front and well-made with good, rounded acidity, it is a versatile wine for modern, restaurant-style foods with strong flavours.

And whilst it impresses straight out of the bottle, don't be afraid to decant or give it some air as there are also some interesting secondary aromas that develop over time.

We matched this with crostini dipped in garlic mayonnaise, followed by anti-pasti; we also found it matched well with slow roast chicken with a sage and chestnut stuffing.

Finally, the good crisp acidity will also cut through salmon or goat's cheese.

£7.99 from the Co-op, provided for review.

Links
 
Co-op wine - http://www.co-operative.coop/food/food-and-drink/drink/Wine/