Affable wine

I realise that there has been a rather frantic surge of postings here at the outset but it's new and fun so understandable I guess.

We went shoping today for a case of interesting cheapies. Mostly to stave off repeats of last nights debarcle but also as we were feeling the pinch resulting from a lack of free wine. Usually in the hospitality game there are enough reps flogging their wares to ensure and almost constant supply of "tasting" bottles but the new job here in (almost) rural NZ has diminished that flow to less than a trickle.

We were limiting ourselves to sub-$20 bottles with the proviso that they be interesting or fun or both. First out of the case tonight was the Ti Point Viognier 2007. It's Hawkes Bay fruit despite the winery being in Matakana. Whilst Rich was declaring pears as it's primary aspect I was getting an almost creme fraiche and orange blassom nose and picking up the partial barrel ferment in a smoky mineral character. The palate unfolds with apricot and creamy yoghurt bearing out the nose and although the concentration isn't huge it's pleasant and eminantly drinkable (what wine do I not find drinkable is the problem/question). Only criticism is that the wine presents slightly hot with the lack of concentration not supporting the 13.5% alcohol.

I love the story behind this vineyard. Having three generations of women involved in making wines seems right somehow and a feminine aspect is really apparent in their red wines. I've been seduced by the backstory but I definitely like what's in the bottle too.....

In the end just had to write an adendum for this wine. Despite purporting to be food friendly the lack of concentration had it struggling with pumpkin and onion mash and roasted carrots. I've usually felt pretty safe matching viognier with root veg and was surpised that the Ti Point couldn't handle their roasty, oily sweetness... Ah well... good quaffer