Brightwater wines from Nelson, New Zealand, and Graham Norton

One of the many good things about working in this wine business is that even the day-to-day e-mails beat most peoples' hands down. I can enjoy lingering over the like of the tempting descriptions I've copied below, and it's work. How, as they say, bad? These are the latest puffs from the Neales at Brightwater, and to judge by the excellence of what we've bought from them till now, no word of a lie. Though, shock, horror, sometimes people do tell fibs, even whoppers: if you're still rigid with scandalization from last night's laboured Dispatches "What's in Your Wine?" on Channel Four, read Jamie Goode and his commenters on the topic and cheer up:
...wine is a remarkably natural product and even badly made industrial wine doesn't represent a threat to human health...
Anyway, here's the latest line-up from Brightwater:
2008 Nelson Sauvignon Blanc “Intense aromas of passionfruit and sweet citrus introduce this fresh aromatic full bodied wine. The palate is well balanced with lifted gooseberry and citrus characters, threaded minerality and a long lingering summer grass finish.” 2008 Nelson Riesling “Fragrant aromas of ripe citrus and lemon zest introduce this wonderful off dry Riesling. The full bodied palate combines excellent texture and balance with juicy lemon and lime flavours, a touch of sweetness, and a long lingering finish.” 2007 Nelson Chardonnay “An elegant, lightly oaked Chardonnay, with generous aromas of stonefruit and apple. The palate is concentrated and finely balanced with citrus and stonefruit characters, a subtle oak influence, leading on to a smooth seductive finish.” 2008 Nelson Riesling Ice Wine “This stunning medium sweet wine with aromas of orange blossom and sweet mandarin, combines real succulence and drinkability. The palate is very clean and refreshing with concentrated citrus fruit characters and nicely ripened acidity.” 2007 Nelson Abbey’s Run Merlot “Elegantly structured Merlot featuring aromas of spicy plum and bramble fruit. The palate is smooth and exhibits redcurrant and fruitcake characters combined with supple french oak, gentle tannins and has a lingering finish.” 2007 Nelson Pinot Noir “This is a full bodied and smooth Pinot Noir showing intense cherry, plum and savoury aromas. It is a concentrated, deeply coloured wine with well integrated French oak, lovely mouth filling tannins and a long lingering finish.”
Also, I'm delighted to report, you can find out which New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Graham Norton keeps in his fridge by listening to this conversation with The Edge FM down under. In case the station's youthful approach means the link goes down sooner rather than later, I'll let you in to a secret. The wine in question is Brightwater Sauvignon Blanc. Click the bottle to buy... Brightwater Sauvignon Blanc