Submitted by Glenda Neil

October?s Best

Lawson?s Dry Hills Marlborough Pinot Gris 2007 Deliciously drinkable with juicy sweet pear flavours, a hint of spice and a long luscious finish. Medium dry wine beautifully balanced and perfect for summer drinking, about $23.95 in NZ.

Gunn Estate Hawkes Bay Skeetfield Chardonnay 2006 Creamy richly textured wine, a bouquet of ripe stone fruit combined with butterscotch and smoky oak, classy elegant wine with all the bells and whistles, a steal at about $30 in NZ.

Jacob?s Creek Reserve Merlot 2005 Dark dense purple with spicy savoury oak, a big full bodied wine with lashing?s of plummy fruit and sweet ripe tannins, drink now or confidently cellar for 5 years, about $19.95 in NZ.

Pegasus Bay Waipara Prima Donna Pinot Noir 2004 Made only in the best year?s this wine is the star of the Pegasus Bay range. Ripe rich and concentrated aromas of black berry fruit and chocolate. Smooth and silky on the palate with exceptional complexity and length, savour now or resist for a couple more years, about $75 in NZ.

Boundary Rapaura Road Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Sweet herbal nose, dry crisp vibrant wine with mineral citrus fruit and a long lingering finish, excellent food match with white fish fillets cooked with tomato and peppers, about $19.95 in NZ.

Sileni Cellar Selection Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2007 The perfect drink for a summer evening when you want a dry but user friendly wine. Fresh and uncomplicated with peachy fruit and a lick of smoky oak, about $19.95 in NZ.