04 May, 2008
Vintage 2008 a Mixed Bag
Submitted by Glenda Neil
Vintage 2008 a Mixed Bag
Well it’s mostly in the tank by now, and it looks at if it will be a bumper vintage volume wise.
Weather up until the end of March had been fairly settled and warm. But just as picking got underway in Hawkes Bay and Marlborough small but regular rain events started to apply the pressure to get grapes in faster than some wineries would have liked.
Hawkes Bay, Marlborough and Nelson all had some late frosts last year at flowering time, suggesting a number of wineries will be short of some varieties. But the frosts were not general and should not have a major impact on the size of the overall vintage with many new plantings producing grapes for the first time taking up the slack.
Auckland had an excellent vintage with Waiheke Island growers especially delighted with the warm dry weather and the quality of the grapes.
Gisborne experienced some heavy rain just as picking was about to start turning what looked like a brilliant vintage into a testing one.
Martinborough, after a number of small vintages, has this summer enjoyed their driest and sunniest on record. Winemakers there are confident that the 2008 vintage will produce both quantity and quality wines.
Marlborough and Nelson started picking in fine warm weather but a series of warm wet fronts sweeping down from the north during mid April had most wineries frantically getting grapes in before they hit. The timing could not have been worse putting pickers and wineries under extreme pressure over a short two week period instead of the usual four.
Central Otago only started picking towards the middle of April and should be all finished about now. They are expecting a record vintage of around 10,000 tonnes, about three times the volume of the small 2007 vintage. Pinot Noir is looking particularly good with excellent fruit flavours. Lets hope they are all picked by now as there have been some exceptionally cold days in the past week in that region.
It looks like the 2008 vintage can be summed up a variable. For wineries that picked before the rain the quality will be there, but not all managed this, so it would be prudent to say let the buyer beware. Of course the wine is yet to be bottled and until it’s actually on the shelves final judgement must be withheld.
I will keep you posted once the 2008 wines start arriving, sometime in August.
27 Apr, 2008
Best of the rest from April
Submitted by Glenda Neil
Best of the Rest from April
Blind River Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Produced from fruit grown in the Awatere Valley this wine displays intense citrus fruit flavours, it’s a crisp dry style with long zingy finish. A small percentage was barrel fermented adding texture and weight to the palate, about $27 in NZ, for stockists go to http://www.blindriver.co.nz.
Brown Brothers Victorian Merlot 2005 Smoky savoury nose, lots of sweet plummy fruit, soft ripe tannins an easy enjoyable wine that’s perfect drinking right now, about $18 in NZ.
Montana Chardonnay Pinot Noir Brut Cuveé A relatively new addition to the Montana range. The wine has a yeasty vanilla biscuit aroma, it’s a light and refreshing style with lemony fruit flavours and clean dry finish, smartly priced at about $20 in NZ.
Dry River Pinot Gris 2007 An exceptional wine from one of the finest makers of the style in NZ Dr Neil McCallum. Freshly squeezed grapefruit aroma, the flavours are of peaches and cream, richly textured with substantial palate weight this is a wine to cellar for some time, McCallum suggests at least 4 years, about $48 in NZ.
Woollaston Nelson Pinot Noir 2006 Sweet berry fruit aroma with hints of savoury oak, lovely ripe crushed cherry flavours smooth and silky tannins with a long sweet finish, smart and drinking beautifully now, about $35 in NZ, for stockists go to http://www.woollaston.co.nz.
Matua Valley Reserve Marlborough Riesling 2007 Mineral lime-lemon bouquet, crisp limey fruit flavours, tightly structured wine with substantial acid backbone in a medium dry style, one for the cellar; give it at least 2-3 years, about $22 in NZ.
22 Apr, 2008
Places to go and Stuff to Do
Submitted by Glenda Neil
Places to Go and Stuff to Do
Savour New Zealand
Auckland may have lost the Ellerslie Flower Show to Christchurch, but they have gained one of the year’s best wine and food events in Savour New Zealand.
Running from the 1st to 4th May at the Langham Hotel this event celebrates the country’s best wine and food. One or three day passes are available. Presenters include, kiwi chefs Jonny Schwass, Jason Dell, Peta Mathias and Michael Meredith.
Claire Aldous food editor of Dish Magazine, Rex Morgan of Citron Restaurant will stage a degustation dinner in the Langhams’s Partingtons restaurant.
Wine experts include Anthony Dias Blue, executive director of the San Francisco International Wine Competition, who will host a joint session with Martin Tillard of Camshorn Vineyard in Waipara looking at the growth and popularity of Pinot Noir, Jane Skilton MW New Zealand’s only female Master of Wine will host a Champagne class and there’s much much more.
For all the info on Savour New Zealand go to http://www.savournewzealand.co.nz
Herzog Dinner
Before they close down for the winter months Herzog Restaurant in Blenheim are holding a wine dinner to celebrate those other grape varieties. You know the ones, not Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir or Chardonnay if you want to know more about these other grapes this is a occasion worth attending. This five course dinner features some new varietals that are doing well
in New Zealand but are not widely available. They come from a range of wineries and regions and will be matched with Herzog’s usual fine cuisine. The dinner is to be held on the 16th of May cost is $230pp for more go to http://www.herzog.co.nz
Hawkes Bay Hot Red Wine Expo
Every year the Hawkes Bay Winemakers group take their reds on the road for a public tasting. Dates and venues for this year are as follows.
Christchurch Tuesday 20th May Millenium Hotel Cathedral Square.
Wellington Wednesday 21st May Duxton Hotel Wakefield Street.
Auckland Thursday 22nd May Rendezvous Hotel Vincent Street.
Cost is $35 and they run from 4pm to 8pm. For more go to http://www.winehawkesbay.co.nz
Pinot at Cloudy Bay
This special tasting occasion is must do for all Pinot lovers. You don’t have to be an expert wine taster or particularly knowledgeable about wine to get a lot out of this beautifully organised tasting.
This years tasting will be held at Cloudy Bay Winery on Saturday 28th June from 11am to 3.30pm cost is $275.00 pp which includes the tasting and lunch.
You will sample 18 international benchmark pinots from the 2005 vintage, and then adjourn for a delicious lunch and a chance to sample some of those wines with food.
This tasting sells out fast, for bookings or more info call 03 520 9140 or email pinot@cloudybay.co.nz.
05 Apr, 2008
April New Releases
Submitted by Glenda Neil
April New Releases
Dry River Martinborough Pinot Noir 2006 If you’ve managed to score some of this highly sought after wine try and hold off opening it for at least 3-4 years. Unfortunately, I had to open a bottle so I could advise you not too. Rich ripe concentrated berry fruit and dark chocolate flavours, sweet and succulent with a silky smooth texture, complex with firm ripe tannins. As always you need to be on the Dry River mailing list to have any chance of buying their wines, for more on this wine go to http://www.dryriver.co.nz, about $82 from the winery.
Pegasus Bay Waipara Chardonnay 2006 Nutty toasty aroma, strong sweet grapefruit flavours beautifully balanced with smoky creamy oak, tasting great right now but will continue to develop for sometime yet, about $34.95 in NZ.
Sacred Hill Brokenstone Merlot 2005 Anyone who says Merlot makes a wimpy wine should get hold of a bottle of this beauty. Sweet plums and spice on palate big bold tannins and a long savoury finish, cellar for at least 3-4 years and wait for this to unfold and show its real potential, about $64 in NZ.
Jules Taylor Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Crisp vibrant wine with ripe tropical fruit rich and rounded on the palate a wine of great poise and balance, gold medal and trophy winner at the Air NZ Wine Awards, about $20 in NZ.
Camshorn Waipara Domett Clays Pinot Noir 2006 Dark densely coloured wine, cherries and spice on palate, not a block buster but full of genuine pinot flavours at a very reasonable price, about $37 in NZ.
Vavasour Awatere Valley Chardonnay 2006 This classy wine is all elegance and subtlety, crisp citrus fruit flavours a touch of butterscotch and nutty toasty finish, complex with exceptional balance of ripe fruit and oak, about $25 in NZ.
29 Mar, 2008
Marlborough Sounds Escape
Submitted by Glenda Neil
Marlborough Sounds Escapes
One of the best things about living in the top of the South is that the beautiful Marlborough Sounds are right there on the doorstep. This year we have managed two great sounds experiences. The first was back in February when we finally got to visit a place that I have longed to go to for sometime.
Every February, around the same time as the Marlborough wine and food festival, Marlborough winery Seresin Estate runs a series of dinners and lunches at Michael Seresins holiday hideaway Waterfall Bay in the sounds. An international chef is invited to present an à la carte menu matched with Seresin wines.
When living in Auckland I promised myself that when I moved to Nelson I would go to one of these at the first opportunity. Guest chef this year was Brad Farmerie from Public Restaurant in New York. There were a number of dinners and lunches to choose from over the festival weekend and we selected to go to a lunch so we could enjoy the boat trip to Waterfall Bay from Picton in daylight. There is a maximum of 45 people for each meal, and they are held in an old restored boatshed near the waters edge.
I won’t go into details about the meal suffice to say it was exceptional and the setting superb. There are other Seresin dinners held at the boatshed throughout the year, for more info on them go to http://www.seresin.co.nz then select dining.
The second sounds experience not only involved food but also a fabulous scenic drive from Nelson to French Pass. This takes around 2 hours 30 mins but with so many awesome views and bays to stop at we spent most of the day getting there. Once you get past Elaine Bay the sealed road ends. The road twists and turns through forest then along ridge tops with spectacular views of both sides of the sounds.
We then dived down a long driveway to the waters edge to Ngaio Bay Ecostay B&B. This remote and peaceful spot is the perfect recipe for stressed out city dwellers, and really for anyone who would enjoy a beach to themselves, birdsong to wake to and delicious home cooked food. We had an excellent dinner with a wonderful selection of organic veges straight from the garden and the most perfect croissants for breakfast. Great hosts Jude and Roger Sonneland make you feel totally at home, for more about Ngaio Bay go to http://www.ngaiobay.co.nz
24 Mar, 2008
Great March Buys
Submitted by Glenda Neil
Great March Buys
Camshorn Waipara Glenmark Gravels Pinot Gris 2007 Intense spice and pear drop aroma, rich and beautifully textured wine that’s still developing, medium dry style and great food match with hot smoked salmon and pasta, about $26.95 in NZ.
Walnut Block Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Crisp juicy wine with ripe red currant flavours and long sweet finish, about $23 in NZ, for more on info go to http://www.walnutblock.co.nz they also have two delightful apartments to let right in the Walnut Block vineyards.
Spy Valley Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2007 Aromatic rose petal and musk bouquet, strong sweet spicy flavours combine with ginger and Turkish delight, luscious and delicious example of this variety, about $20 in NZ.
Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 2006 Smoky cedary oak nose, ripe grapefruit, butterscotch and caramel dominate the palate of this powerful but still youthful wine. Impeccable balance of ripe fruit and classy French oak, great drinking now but will continue to develop for at least 3-4 years, about $44 in NZ.
Muddy Water Waipara Pinotage 2006 This power packed wine with just over 15% alcohol is an excellent example of what NZ can do with this variety. Dark dense purple with plum and chocolate aroma, the flavours are reminiscent of a slice of rich fruit cake, impressive stuff, it is suggested by the winery that the wine be decanted half an hour before drinking, about $32 in NZ.
Saint Clair Marlborough Chardonnay 2007 Great drink young wine, lots of sweet citrus fruit and a lick of spicy oak, make this a perfect drink anytime wine, about $20 in NZ.
05 Mar, 2008
Winegrowers of Ara Launch
Submitted by Glenda Neil
Winegrowers of Ara
Confidence in the continued growth of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has just seen a new venture, vast and ambitious in size, unveiled in the region. Winegrowers of Ara a privately owned New Zealand company has revealed for the first time their spectacular new vineyard and operations centre (called the Dart due to its shape).
Situated at the confluence of the Wairau and Waihopai rivers on river terrace soils the property covers over 1600 hectares. So far 390 hectares have been progressively planted in Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. The intention is to continue planting for some time yet. Even now this is a large vineyard by any standards and the intention is to produce only quality grapes. With this in mind the vineyard has been close planted, meaning vines with be restricted by root space, and vine yields will be kept down.
Wines from the Ara vineyards will not only be produced under their own brand Composite and Resolute, but they will supplya number of other companies with grapes that will bear the Ara vineyards designation.
The operation is lead by General Manager Dr Damian Martin, who identified the potential of the Ara site and has been involved since 2001.
For more on the Ara wines go to http://www.compositewines.co.nz and http://www.resolutewines.co.nz.
28 Feb, 2008
More Good Drops
Submitted by Glenda Neil
More Good Drops
Muddy Water James Hardwick Waipara Riesling 2007 Intense aroma of apricot and honey, sweet citrus and spice on palate, exquisitely balance of ripe fruit and crisp acid, a totally delicious drop. Cellar 3-4 years or enjoy now, about $29 in NZ. For more info go to http://www.muddywater.co.nz
Jacobs Creek Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Dark dense purple, blackberry and toasty oak bouquet, big rich full bodied wine, loads of ripe tannins still apparent, powerful and complex, should continue to develop for some time, about $19.95 in NZ.
Woollaston Tussock Nelson Pinot Gris 2007 Quince and apple aroma, almost dry, but nicely balanced with pear and spice flavours and a long crisp finish, oily and weighty on the palate, serious well made wine, about $24 in NZ. For more info go to http://www.woollaston.co.nz
Cloudy Bay Marlborough Pinot Noir 2006 Earthy spice and dark cherry bouquet, smooth and beautifully textured wine ripe sweet cherries and plums on palate, silky tannins and long sweet finish, outstanding and delicious drinking right now, about $51 in NZ.
Vavasour Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2007 You won’t find a better example of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc around than this. Vibrant crisp with gooseberry and sweet herbal flavours, multiple gold medal winner, an outstanding wine, about $20 in NZ.
Brown Brothers Victorian Shiraz 2005 Warm spicy wine with chocolate and ripe plummy fruit nicely integrated tannins, drinking well now but will cellar for 3-4 years, about $19 in NZ.
Stoneleigh Marlborough Chardonnay 2007 Creamy smooth with lovely ripe grapefruit flavours and nutty toasty oak, not a big wine but a simply delightful drink anytime style, about $21 in NZ.
23 Feb, 2008
Vintage 2008 Underway
Submitted by Glenda Neil
Vintage 2008 Underway
This year’s vintage has just got underway in Gisborne and so far prospects are looking good. New Zealand Winegrowers expects around 225,000 to 245,000 tonnes of grapes an increase on last year’s 205,000. The increase will come from a larger producing area, combined with more normal yields due to better weather at flowering time.
Let’s hope the dry weather that most regions are experiencing continues on into late April and May when the majority of the picking takes place. Heavy rain predicted for this weekend should not be a problem in the major grape growing regions that are sheltered from the west.
The export market is still growing strongly with exports for 2007 showing an increase of 24% in value to $761 million and 30% in volume to 84 million litres. Sauvignon Blanc continues to be the mainstay of our exports with some wineries looking forward to a larger vintage this year. Loads more Sauvignon vines have been planted over the last 3 years but demand seems to be remaining ahead of supply, at least in the export market.
There is still plenty of 2007 Sauvignon Blanc around the supermarkets at the moment at some very sharp prices. 2007 was generally a very good vintage for Sauvignon and its worth while hunting out a few bargains. And if you haven’t tried Pinot Gris yet, at last there seems to be enough volume for some good Pinot Gris to be specialled off. With more Pinot Gris planting now producing, prices are starting to look a lot more realistic for this variety.
All regions should be fully picked by the end of May so I will have a better idea of the complete vintage region by region and update then.
10 Feb, 2008
February Best Buys
Submitted by Glenda Neil
February’s Best Buys
A surprisingly interesting assortment of wines has passed the taste test this month. Some expensive and hard to find but most reasonably priced and readily available.
Spy Valley Unoaked Chardonnay 2007 A wine that has continued to impress, each year it simply gets better and better and the 2007 is a cracker. Loads of sweet ripe stone fruit, juicy and full of flavour, simply delicious. The six bottles I purchased at Christmas have dwindled to only two so looks like I will be stocking up again soon, about $16.90 in NZ.
Sileni Estates Cellar Selection Hawkes Bay Merlot 2007 It may be young but this is a delightful drop. A blend of 81% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 9% Malbec it has a leathery spicy aroma lots of good berry fruit flavours and soft silky tannins, about $19.95 in NZ.
Sanctuary Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Crisp and zingy wine with passionfruit and sweet herbal flavours, great drinking right now, about $17.95 in NZ.
Villa Maria Reserve Hawkes Bay Syrah 2005 Dark dense almost black in the glass this is a rich full bodied wine still maturing. White pepper and blackcurrant bouquet, ripe sweet tannins and long spicy finish, not cheap but well worth the price, about $60 in NZ.
Margrain Home Block Martinborough Pinot Noir 2006 Savoury meaty and smoky aromas, blackberry and dark cherries on palate, smooth and succulent with soft silky tannins. There are only limited quantities of this wine available from the winery at http://margrainvineyard.co.nz, about $52 in NZ.
Tohu Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Intense gooseberry nose, powerful and punchy on the palate with sweet red pepper flavours and a long zingy finish, Elite Gold Medal winner at the Air NZ Wine Awards (meaning it scored at least 19 out of 20), about $19 in NZ.
Spy Valley Marlborough Riesling 2007 Floral lemon blossom aroma, lime/lemon flavours beautifully balanced wine in a medium sweet style, delicious drinking now but will gain richness and complexity over the next 3-4 years, about $19.90 in NZ.
31 Jan, 2008
Wish List 2008
Submitted by Glenda Neil
My Wish List 2008
That we become less dependant on Sauvignon Blanc as our prime export. Sauvignon Blanc still accounts for over 75% of exported wine with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay the next two largest exported varieties with 6 and 4% respectively.
That we continue to improve and make more Pinot Noir that has real Pinot taste and texture, and is priced under $30 a bottle.
That alcohol levels in our wine don’t get any higher. There are a number of companies managing to produce exceptional Rieslings around 10% alc/vol or less. I know that ripe grapes produce better tasting wines but with so many having alcohol’s of around the 14% mark they make a very potent drink.
That our aromatic wines, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer, which continue to impress me, are labelled dry, medium or sweet on the front label, so the general public can also get to appreciate and enjoy them. Most consumers know if they want a dry or a medium wine and wineries need to indicate this on the label. For those of us who wear glasses the small print on the back label just doesn’t cut it.
That wine drinkers don’t give up on Chardonnay for those new trendy grape varieties. Chardonnay makes wines of exceptional depth and complexity with each of our regions producing a completely different style.
That New Zealander’s continue to support our wine industry which is strong vibrant and adaptable, there are likely to be many potential challenges ahead for our exporters. The promotion of the sustainability and food miles argument could easily knock our exports back. New Zealand wine needs a good solid consumer base at home to compliment our growing exports.
And my last wish is that all wineries, that very kindly send me samples to taste and write about, would include recommended retail prices along with the samples.
20 Jan, 2008
January Best Buys
Submitted by Glenda Neil
January Best Buys
Church Road Hawkes Bay Merlot/Cabernet 2005 Red berry fruit and smoky oak bouquet, smooth rich and beautifully balanced wine, complex and at its best right now, about $26 in NZ.
Distant Land Reserve Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2004 A new label from the well established Lincoln family, this wine has ripe grapefruit flavours creamy toasty oak and is ready to drink now, about $30.
Ti Point Hawkes Bay Viognier 2007 Intense peach and apricot aroma, rich and creamy with a backbone of spicy oak, bone dry, a serious food wine, enjoyed with smoked chicken and pasta, about $20 in NZ.
Saint Clair Vicars Choice Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Crisp vibrant full of fruit style a perfect match for that summer seafood salad. Long sweet finish and very smartly priced, about $18 in NZ.
Blind River Marlborough Pinot Noir 2006 Savoury forest floor aroma, medium bodied, ripe cherry fruit and light touch of oak make this a delightful drink, about $37 in NZ. Available from the winery go to http://www.blindriver.co.nz.
Vavasour Awatere Valley Pinot Gris 2007 Ripe pears and nutmeg bouquet, rich and full bodied wine, complex and weighty, seriously delicious, buy a couple one to drink now and one to cellar, about $26 in NZ.
Muddy Water Waipara Pinot Noir 2006 An absolute stunner of a wine rich ripe with immense depth of sweet fruit, soft and voluptuous of the palate, beautiful drinking now but will reward a couple of years in the cellar, about $40 in NZ.
13 Jan, 2008
Festival File
Submitted by Glenda Neil
Festival File
February is generally our sunniest, warmest and hopefully driest month. It’s also the season of wine festivals.
First up is Harvest Hawkes Bay on the weekend of 3rd and 4th February. Buses run from the visitor information centres in Napier, Hastings and Havelock North throughout the day. Stop off at your favourite winery or discover some of the new bouquet wineries of the region. The ticket price of $40 (plus booking fee of $3) gives you a bus pass, tasting glass and holder. Each winery offers complementary wine tasting, wine workshops, library wines and new vintages teamed with great food from the local restaurants. Tickets are available from the Napier Visitor Centre call 0800 442 946 or visit http://www.harvesthawkesbay.co.nz.
February 9th is the Marlborough Wine and Food Festival which takes place at the Brancott Estate Blenheim from 10am until 6pm. Tickets are $40 (plus booking fee $2) and are available from Ticket Direct 0800 224 224. Buses depart from Seymour Square in Blenheim to the site all day. Along with wine tasting from over 40 wineries and featuring 200 wines, there is great music from Kora, Don McGlashan, Nathan Haines and The Beat Girls, and lots of locally produced food. For those whose interest goes beyond eating and drinking there are a couple of wine tutorials one covering the Marlborough sub-regions and the other exploring the aromatic wines, riesling, pinot gris and gewürztraminer. If you have the stamina you could join a lunch cruise through the gorgeous Kenepura Sound on Sunday 10th, buses leave from Seymour Square and the Vintners Retreat at 9.30am to Havelock Marina and return at 2pm. Cost is $95 for bus travel lunch and bubbles. For more visit http://www.wine-marlboroughfestival.co.nz
Nelson too has its own small but perfectly formed festival. Brightwater Wine and Food Festival is on Sunday 17th February 11am to 6.30pm off Bryant Rd Brightwater. That’s about 25mins from Nelson on the main road to the West Coast. This is a great family occasion and includes local wine tasting, olive products, boutique beers and crafts. Top quality food from some of Nelsons top restaurants and cooking demonstrations. Buses run from Nelson, Stoke, Richmond, Motueka, Mapua and Wakefield. Tickets are $12 if purchased in advance and $15 on the day. They are available from Everyman Records Nelson, Baku Kitchenware Richmond and BNZ Nelson and Motueka. For more info and bus timetable go to http://www.bwff.co.nz.
21 Dec, 2007
Christmas Crackers
Submitted by Glenda Neil
Christmas Crackers
All well organised people will have already bought their Christmas wine supplies, but if by chance you did leave it till the last minute here are a few exceptionally delicious drops that will hit the spot over the holiday break.
Lindauer Range It just wouldn’t be Christmas without a bottle of Lindauer on stand by in the fridge. Repacked with a brand new look, there’s a wine for every taste preference in the now extensive range. My personal favourites are the Special Reserve toasty and full bodied and the Blanc de Blancs 100% Chardonnay crisp dry and so elegant. But for those who like a sweeter style the Special Reserve Cuvee Riche is delightful rich and creamy but not cloying. Prices for the Lindauer Range vary at this time of the year so check you local supermarket for the best deals.
Vic Williams Selection Marlborough Chardonnay Pinot Noir Pinot Meunier 2002 This bone dry sparkler has an illustrious record of accolades including the recently announced Trophy for Sparkling Wine at the Tri Nations Wine Challenge. It was made at Hunters Winery in Marlborough, stored on lees for 3 years, and then disgorged under the guidance of Daniel le Brun. Available from NZ Wine Cellars (NZ Wine Society) go to http://www.enjoywine.co.nz, about $34.95 in NZ.
No 1 Family Estate Reserve Cuvee 10 Chardonnay/Pinot Noir Another cracker from the Le Brun stable made to celebrate 10 years of the company. Yeasty fresh baked bread aroma, complex and rich with persistent bubble and long creamy finish, about $49 in NZ.
Woollaston Nelson Pinot Noir Rose 2007 This delightful wine is just perfect for sipping with a summer salad. cherry and berry fruit aroma, medium dry style with strawberry flavours and crisp finish, about $18 in NZ.
Craggy Range Te Muna Road Martinborough Pinot Noir 2006 Black cherry and savoury smoky oak bouquet, rich smooth silky textured wine with hints of spice and dark chocolate lingering on the palate, an absolute ripper, about $50.
Brightwater Lord Rutherford Nelson Barrique Chardonnay 2006 Spicy oak aroma, ripe melon and peach flavours beautifully balanced with restrained use of toasty oak, elegant and impressive, for more on Brightwater go to http://www.brightwaterwine.co.nz about $30 in NZ.
Cloudy Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Delicate citrus and sweet herbal bouquet, a subtle style compared to many out of Marlborough this year. Fresh and zingy on the palate with lemon lime flavours and a long crisp finish, great food wine try it with seafood salad, about $33.95 in NZ.
Stoneleigh Rapaura Series Marlborough Pinot Gris 2007 Undoubtedly one of the best Pinot Gris sampled this year. Sweet ripe pear nose, loads of rich ripe fruit flavours with impeccable balance smooth and weighty with a long sweet finish, a classy and delicious drink, about $26.95 in NZ.
19 Dec, 2007
Our Carbon Footprint
Submitted by Glenda Neil
Our Carbon Footprint Under Microscope
Whether you believe in the carbon footprint theory or not New Zealand wine producers are about to have theirs measured for size.
A study of the wine industries carbon footprint has received funding from the government of $100,000; with the wine industry contributing $60,000. This study is designed to ensure that New Zealand can credibly support the argument that wines produced here are environmentally sound, and to counter the food miles issue.
Whether being able to produce facts and figures to prove our clean, green and sustainable image will be enough to keep our savvies at the top of the must have list on European wine shelves is yet to be decided. But this is one measure that will at least give some clarity to the argument and hopefully some facts to back it up.
When you are a winemaker at the bottom of the world and your markets are thousands of miles away the whole issue of food miles, carbon production and the sustainability of our wineries and grape growing is one that our European competitors could easily use against us.
New Zealand Winegrowers is taking this whole issue of sustainability very seriously and believes that in the future all consumers, retailers and regulators of the future will expect our wine producers to accept environmental issues as a natural part of growing grapes and producing wine.
