Gold River is the everyday label from Gibbston Valley, the Central Otago winery whose 1987 vintage was the region's first commercial release. The range is made to be opened soon after purchase. The winery describes it as robust varietals at friendly prices, sourced from vineyards chosen for generous fruit and keeping the food friendliness the house is known for.
The Pinot Gris is handpicked and handcrafted. It is a brilliant, pale straw in the glass, with a very fresh nose of floral and stonefruit notes. The palate is full, with clean fruit and refreshing acidity, and there is plenty of depth behind it, carrying through to a long finish.
That mix of weight and freshness makes it a flexible dinner wine. Roast chicken with lemon and herbs, pan-fried fish, pork with apple, or a ripe brie with pear all suit its stonefruit and gentle floral lift. It is also an easy bottle to open for friends before the food is ready, because it does not need anything on the plate to be enjoyable.