Steve Bird ‘The Whanau Reserve’ Pinot Gris 2023/24, Marlborough

Love Pinot Gris? This subtly powerful bottling from Marlborough will be sure to please fans of a richer white wine. As one of New Zealand’s few Māori winemakers, Steve Bird can trace his lineage back 800 years to the arrival of the Te Arawa and Mataatua canoes. Family relationships and sustainability are at the heart of the brand’s winemaking, as well as the preservation of strong ties with local growers. This Pinot Gris is harvested quickly, pressed gently and fermented slowly in cool temperatures to preserve its natural fruit character. It's full of rich spiced-pear, fruity and floral flavours. Combine this with its good weight and gentle acidity, and it makes the perfect partner to shellfish, creamy pastas or spicy Asian cuisine.