Brancott Vineyards Chardonnay, Gisborne, 2002 Price $11 Rating 89 This wine has a rich, yet soft style. There are subtle hints of tropical fruit such as pineapple, grapefruit and soft peach. The grapes for the Brancott Vineyards Chardonnay come from the Patutahi District in Gisborne. The soil there boasts a large amount of clay, further concentrating the Chardonnay elements. Serve this wine with grilled or poached sea bass, snapper, or maybe salmon. Reinforce the wine's tropical fruit flavors with some of the same elements in the sauce.

Brancott Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2003 Price $11 Rating 90 Light straw colors, with a touch of green, hint of a unique wine in the glass. The flavor, as is typical from the region, is dominated by the zesty presence of pimento-like pepper nuance, and is packed with grapefruit and tropical fruits both on the palate and within the complex aroma. Brancott Vineyards likes to showcase this wine with a Lobster Gazpacho Salad, a dish that bullies most wines with assertive elements of tomato and vinegar. The resilient citrus-like acidity of their Sauvignon Blanc defies that assertive food match. This wine is a safe bet with any spicy food. Try the wine with cilantro spiked ceviche, or Asian curry.

Hogue Gewürztraminer, Columbia Valley 2003 Price $9 Rating 89 The flavors are exotic. The wine is not terribly sweet, though not dry. There are elements of peach, jasmine, lychee nut, jasmine and citrus blossom. The flavors are intense and will stand up to spicy, assertive foods such as Asian or Southwestern. The Hogue family enjoys pairing this wine with pan fried rainbow trout or steamed whole Dungeness crab.

Hogue Late Harvest White Riesling, Columbia Valley 2003 Price $10 Rating 88 This sweeter white wine has become a signature item for Hogue. It is packed with huge flavors of tangerine and apricot. The nose offers interesting elements of orange peel, vanilla, raisin and powdered sugar. There is good balance due to the crisp acidity. Hogue suggests pairing this wine with fruit sorbets, poached pears or hot apple pie.

Echelon Pinot Grigio "Esperanza Vineyard" Clarksburg 2003 Price $11 Rating 89 There are aromas honeysuckle/floral along with hints of pear. The sip is smooth and the finish has crispness. Echelon prides itself upon being a fruit-forward wine. The wine is well suited as an apertif or a reception wine. Try the wine with pasta in a light cream sauce or with seafood and shellfish. Cheese with this white wine should be mild, paired with seasonal fruit.

Canyon Road Sauvignon Blanc, California 2003 Price $9 Rating 88 There are intoxicating scents of lemongrass, crisp citrus and a touch of herbal magic in the nose. A sip continues the same theme along with ripe melon elements and some tropical fruit as well. Try this wine before dinner as an apertif, with shellfish, or with a seafood or fruit based salad.