The popular, consumer-friendly 2009 Picnic Riesling has a lifted fresh, green apple and passion fruit nose with just a faint hint of elderflower all with crisp definition and freshness. Taut on the entry, the palate has light green apple and pear but would benefit from a little more weight towards the finish, though it does attract more ‘zestiness’ with aeration. Drink now-2012.

The 2008 Picnic Riesling is muted on the nose with light apple and grassy aromas. Needs just a little more lift perhaps? The palate is balanced, lacks a little tension and poise, simple clean apple and kiwi fruit flavors with a light apply finish with I tasted Sam Niell’s wines both blind and at a well-organized public Central Otago tasting.Importer: Total Beverage Solution, Mt Pleasant, SC; tel. (843) 881-0761; fax (843) 881-1468