“Summertime New Zealand whites” is the theme this June. I have long enjoyed the numerous varietals of New Zealand wines- from racy Sauvignon Blancs, excellent Chardonnays, satisfying Pinot Gris, Riesling and Gewurztraminers, etc. Sales of New Zealand wines also faired higher than its United States counterpart. This is partly because of the introduction of moderately priced version of The Jibe and Monkey Bay. Their undeniable presence helped in establishing the awareness of New Zealand wines.The wines in this article feature screw caps closure. I think that screw caps are great closures. They eliminate the incidence of “cork taint” from wines. Furthermore, they are also easier to open and to reseal than those that utilize corks. But certain consumers and wine trades are concerned over the use of screw caps in red wines- though this is very marginal. The little cause of concern is the production of wine that has been prepared for life under a screw cap. New Zealand White Wine Reviews Alpha Domus, 2005 CHARDONNAY, UNOAKED HAWKES BAY $13-$15 Screw cap. Full-bodied and unwooded. Features the ripe flavors of pear, apple, lime and peach. Well-balanced and noteworthy quality with moderate length finish. Drink through the end of 2006. Felton Road, 2005 RIESLING CENTRAL OTAGO $26-$28 Screw cap. Fine and delicate. A bit Germanic in style. Features low alcohol content and refined flavors. Clean and crisp on the palate. Tasting of peach, apricot, honeysuckle and cherimoya. Drink through the end of 2008. Kathy Lynskey Wines Marlborough * 2005 SAUVIGNON BLANC, VINEYARD SELECT, $18-$20 * 2005 GEWURZTRAMINER, $25-$27 The wines of Kathy Lynskey are ranked among the best in New Zealand. The Sauvignon is classy, round and full-bodied. Taste reminiscent of apple, lemon grass, lime and toast. 2,280 cases. Exceptionally extraordinary is the Gewurz. It features distinctive combination of rose petal, litchi nut, baked pear and apple. Full-bodied and fleshy. Well-balanced accentuated by persistent finish. 400 cases. Drink through 2007. Nobilo, 2005 ICON PINOT GRIS MARLBOROUGH $20-$22 Light rustic gold color. Grapey and fleshy in character. Full-bodied and well-balanced. This wine is very similar in quality to a Reserve bottling. Taste reminiscent of strawberry, tea, lemon peel, pear and rosehips. Drink through 2007. Omaka Springs, 2005 SAUVIGNON BLANC MARLBOROUGH 16-$18 Screw cap. A well-balanced wine of exceptional flavor and length. Tasting of apple, fig, lemon peel and lime. Drink through 2007. Villa Maria PRIVATE BIN bottlings * 2005 RIESLING, MARLBOROUGH, $13-$15 * 2005 SAUVIGNON BLANC, MARLBOROUGH, $13-$15 * 2005 CHARDONNAY, UNOAKED, HAWKE'S BAY, $13-$15 * 2005 GEWURZTRAMINER, EAST COAST, $13-$15 Floral and fruity. Medium bodied and clean on the palate. The Villa Maria Riesling with tastes of peach, honeysuckle, toast and apple. The Sauvignon is distinctively more complex than the other vintages. It possesses fruity aromas accentuated with toasty overtones. Supple, full with persistently long finish. Tasting of peach, toast and grapefruit. The Chardonnay is unoaked with fruity notes of peach, melon, per and plum. It is supple in texture and well-balanced. Unusually rich with quite long finish. The Gewurz is simply exceptional. It is fragrant and aromatic. Features the flavors of litchi nut, rose petal, toast and apple. Dully bodied with slight dry texture. Delicious. Drink though the end of 2006. Villa Maria, 2005 SAUVIGNON BLANC, RESERVE CLIFFORD BAY $30-$32 Appealing and refreshing. Tasting of green apple, lime, vanilla, toast and lemon grass. Intensely flavored and full-bodied. Drink through the end of 2007.