I tasted some of the nastiest and nicest wine over the hols.
My worst experience was at a music festival where the bottle proudly boasted “wine made from the vines you’re peeing on”.  I should have known then to expect a killer hangover.
On a happier note, my taste buds were pleased to delve into a selection from Marlborough’s Charles Wiffen. Husband and wife team Charles and Sandi Wiffen started out in 1980 growing grapes on contract to other wineries on an estate owned by the family since 1907.  
They have been producing wines under the Charles Wiffen label since 1997.  They grow Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Pinot Noir. New plantings of Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer are bearing fruit, 2009 saw the second release of their Pinot Gris, and first of their Gewürz.  
Charles Wiffen Gewürztraminer ($19.50) is more succulent and mouth-filling than many, with rose petal, turkish delight and ginger balancing each other nicely.
Charles Wiffen Reserve Pinot Noir 2007 ($32) has a complex bouquet of lavender oil, roast meat and preserved plums. Dark and rich without being overpowering, cherries and camembert rind flavours with a lick of caramelised toffee. A wine worth discussing with your mates.
Wine of the week: like the pinot noir, the Charles Wiffen Pinot Gris 2009 ($19.50) has a lot going on aroma-wise.  Floral nuances flow into pears then round off with red delicious apples. In the mouth the fruit is clean pip fruit with a citrus/honey finish. Off dry with a lightly syrupy texture, this gris makes a refreshing aperitif. A million times nicer than festival plonk.