Aprils Best Drops 2011

Lawson’s Dry Hills Marlborough Chardonnay 2007

Smoky toasty aromas, touch of butterscotch and sweet citrus fruit flavours a lovely balance of ripe fruit and oak, bottle age adds appeal, drinking well now but will continue to develop, about $28 in NZ.

Brown Brothers Victorian Tempanillo 2009

This Spanish red varietal has adapted well to its Victorian home. Earthy and spicy with dark berry fruit and very smooth ripe tannins, was a hit with our pizza dinner, about $19 in NZ.

Ti Point Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2010

Crisp fresh and very easy to enjoy, melon and peachy fruit flavours, a light touch of oak adds weight to the mid palate, about $23 in NZ.

Main Divide Waipara Valley Pinot Gris 2010

Wow is this really Pinot Gris, luscious and rich with sweet pear and ginger flavours, creamy and complex with the barrel fermentation adding a texture and weight, gorgeous wine perfect drinking anytime, about $20 in NZ.

 Wild South Marlborough Riesling 2009

Appealing floral fragrance, juicy lime/citrus flavours light elegant wine dry in style with a pleasingly low alcohol of 12.5%, an excellent food match for Thai flavours, about $19 in NZ.

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 15 Strip Block Pinot Noir 2009

Crushed cherries and spicy flavours, a lighter style for this label, young and showing some complexity with a definite acid edge, a good drink now style, about $33 in NZ

On the Grapevine April 2011

Vintage 2011

Most grapes will now be in wineries around the country and the quality of the product should be apparent, at least to the winemakers. The first wines will be released around August and September when the critics will make their judgments.
Despite warm dry conditions for most of the summer the La Nina weather pattern of damp easterlies has made the end of the vintage a race against time to pick grapes in between wet weather events.
All regions have had to contend with intermittent rain showers for most of the past six weeks of picking. Not a major problem if crops have been well looked after, spraying programs adhered to and vines not overloaded with berries.
Inevitably some vineyards will not be in good shape and hopefully no wine will be produced from these inferior grapes. Some regions will be down on quantity, which should help get prices up a little later in the year.
Expect a mixed bag of very good and ordinary wines from the 2011 vintage.

Hot Hawkes Bay Reds + Whites

Hawkes Bays showcase of premium wines is on again with tastings in both Wellington and Auckland in June.
Over 20 wineries and more than 100 wines will be available for tasting, and this year white wines will also be included. This is a great opportunity to taste and talk to the winemakers while indulging in some of our top drops.
The Wellington venue is Chaffers Dock Function Centre on Wednesday 22nd June and in Auckland at The Floating Pavilion at the Viaduct Basin on Thursday 23rd June. Trade and Media can register with Hawkes Bay Winegrowers through their website www.winehawkesbay.co.nz. public tickets are available from www.eventfinder.co.nz.

Toast Martinborough

On Sunday November 20th Toast Martinborough will be held for the 20th time. Always a great occasion this immensely popular wine food and music festival is always an instant sell-out. To help secure tickets you can join Friends of Martinborough for priority access, go to www.toastmartinborough.co.nz for more info.
At a recent blind tasting of Pinot Noir in the in the US Martinborough Reserve Pinot Noir 2008 beat 19 other top quality Pinot’s from France, Australia and United States including a $7000.00 bottle of 1990 Domaine de la Romanée Conti La Tache, a great result for this top Martinborough Winery.

March’s Best Drops

Dry River Martinborough Pinot Noir 2009

Dense dark wine with a fragrant floral bouquet, concentrated flavours of dark berries, dried fruit and spice, blended seamlessly with ripe sweet tannins leading into a long succulent finish, a wine that will continue to please for sometime so well worth cellaring, for stockists go to www.dryriver.co.nz about $84 in NZ.

Dry River Martinborough Pinot Gris 2010

Aromas of ripe melon and stone fruit lead on to luscious rich and spicy palate, beautifully balanced wine, textural and rich the sweet fruit complimenting the zingy acidity, gorgeous and deliciously drinkable, about $55 in NZ.

Karikari Estate Chardonnay 2009

From New Zealand’s northernmost winery a stylish and very approachable wine, peachy fruit and smoky oak on the palate progresses to a long smooth finish, drinking beautifully now but has cellaring potential. Go to www.karikariestate.co.nz  for stockists, about $32 in NZ.

Karikari Estate Toa 2007

This red is a blend of Cabernet Franc/Malbec with a small quantity of Pinotage. Toa is Maori for Warrior and personifies strength, harmony, balance and intensity. Big rich full bodied wine with plenty of grunt, blackberries and plummy fruit flavours solid ripe tannins and a long sweet finish; the winemaker recommended decantering before serving which was appreciated, about $40 in NZ.

Misha’s Vineyard The High Note Central Otago Pinot Noir 2009

Fine elegant wine with intense dark cherry and smoky savoury notes, tight and still developing, a slightly lighter wine than the 2008 but one that has a perfect balance of sweet fruit and acid that will keep this wine youthful for some time yet, for stockists go to www.mishasvineyard.com  about $45 in NZ.

Misha’s Vineyard Limelight Central Otago Riesling 2010

This is my sort of Riesling crisp medium-dry with strong lemon lime flavours and a long tight finish. A small portion was fermented naturally in old French oak barrels which has heightened the sweetness. This wine was a standout match when served at The Grove restaurant with Tortellini of saffron & goat’s ricotta, about $26 in NZ.

On The Grapevine March 2011

Five Chefs for Canterbury

Villa Maria is hosting a Canterbury Earthquake fund raising dinner at Villa Maria Estate Auckland on Sunday 20th March at 12.00pmA. Five of New Zealand’s top chefs and Villa Maria are joining together to raise money for the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

Chefs participating are Des Harris of Clooney, Sid Sahrawat of Sidart, Michael Meredith of Merediths, Mike Van De Elzen of Molten and Stephen Ward of O’Connell Street Bistro. They will be assisted by Jonny Schwass chef and owner of Restaurant Schwass in Christchurch. Restaurant Schwass has been destroyed by the earthquake.

Book now to enjoy a seven-course luncheon matched with Villa Maria’s award winning wines.
Tickets are limited to 200, cost is $250 per person, and 100% of all proceeds will go to the Earthquake Appeal.

To book go to www.villamaria.co.nz/chefsforcanterbury or phone 09 255 0660 payment by credit card only.

Vintage 2011 Underway

Picking of the first grapes from this year’s vintage is now underway.

Northland Pinot Gris was picked a week or so ago, and in Marlborough and Hawkes Bay Pinot Noir for sparkling is the first off the vines.

Most regions are happy with the quality so far, but until all varieties are picked sometime around the end of April or early May, and the end result is safely in the tank most winemakers will praying for no more rain.

The big question this year is about quantity, a smaller vintage, especially of Sauvignon Blanc is required to help get the supply and demand situation back in balance.

Some big rainfalls this weekend may advance the picking schedules in some regions but at least it looks like a fine sunny week to follow. Cool nights and dry sunny days from now on are the recipe for a successful vintage.

February’s Best Drops

Pegasus Bay Chardonnay 2008

Toasty nutty aromas, a big full bodied wine with plenty of development ahead, beautifully layered with sweet ripe citrus, crisp acid backbone and smoky oak adding complexity, delicious drinking now but this one is built to last, about $36 in NZ.

Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Another classy Savvy from the Sauvignon masters. Intense lime/lemon aromas, punchy full of flavour with a long zingy finish, a big bold wine ready to enjoy right now, about $33.

Stoneleigh Marlborough Pinot Noir 2009

Cherries and spice, savoury smooth and oh so easy to drink but this is no lightweight , ripe sweet fruit and a long well rounded finish, no blockbuster but found on special at the moment at about $23 in NZ at this price it’s a steel.

Gladstone Vineyard Wairarapa Riesling 2010

Concentrated aromas of honey lemon and limes, crisp, minerally and bone dry this wine is built to last, you could confidently cellar this for 5 years, good to see the information on the back label stating the level of sweetness, about $24 in NZ.

Man O’War Waiheke Island Chardonnay 2009

Robust full on style with creamy butterscotch flavours, concentrated peachy fruit and a good dollop of smoky oak, big rich wine still developing but a good drink right now, about $28 in NZ.

Spy Valley Marlborough Pinot Gris 2010

Gorgeous aroma of pears and spice, ripe pear juice flavours carry through the palate, good weight and nice oily texture, medium sweet style and plenty of alcohol suggest it will be better matched with food, about $20 in NZ.

New Releases December & Some Favourites From 2010

Brown Brothers Patricia Pinot Noir & Chardonnay Brut 2005

Classy sophisticated wine, toasty nutty with nicely rounded citrus flavours and a long creamy finish. At its best now ready for any Christmas/New Year celebrations, about $40 in NZ.

Halo Hawkes Bay Syrah 2009

Made by Sacred Hill this is a gentle easy wine with white pepper and nutmeg aromas which carry through onto the palate, ripe tannins and nice spicy finish, about $25 in NZ.

Stoneleigh Marlborough Chardonnay 2009

This wine is a big hit in our house especially as it has been available on special most of the year. Ripe peachy fruit, subtle oak adds interest on the palate, every bottle is consistently good and at around $12.99 in NZ you could confidently buy a case and be very satisfied.

Lawson’s Dry Hills Marlborough Pinot Gris 2010

Floral spice and ripe pears are the dominant flavours, beautifully balanced wine, medium sweet with rich oily texture and a long sweet finish, about $26 in NZ.

Mitre Rocks Central Otago Pinot Noir 2008

Tasted back in June this was one of my favourite Pinot’s of the year, in fact I have just purchased some for Christmas. Smoky and savoury with concentrated ripe cherry and berry fruit, elegant and silky with loads of potential to develop further, about $42 in NZ.

Shooting Star Methode Traditionelle Sauvignon Blanc

The trend of this summer’s drinking could very well be centred on sparkling Sauvignon Blanc. Many wineries have produced one in the last few months and this wine from specialist bubbly producers No 1 Family Estate is certainly one of the best. Crisp and lively with plenty of lemon/lime flavours and a sharp zingy finish, the bottle is beautifully presented with a classy silver and black label, about $22 in NZ.

On The Grapevine November

Air New Zealand Wine Awards Surprises

At last we have two trophy winning wines that should be readily available to the public. The winner of the Open Class Trophy (2500 cases or more) in both reds and whites also took out the Trophy in their varietal class. Peregrine Central Otago Pinot Noir 2009 won both the best Pinot trophy but also the Champion Wine of the Show. In the Riesling class Villa Maria’s Private Bin Private Bin Marlborough Dry Riesling 2010 also won both trophies.

Also winning gold’s and available in good quantity is Nautilus Marlborough Pinot Noir 2009,Waipara Hills Waipara Pinot Noir 2009, Amisfield Central Otago Pinot Noir 2008, Allan Scott Family Winemakers Marlborough Pinot Noir 2009, Pencarrow Martinborough Pinot Noir 2009, Stoneleigh Marlborough Pinot Noir 2009 and Wild Earth Vineyards Central Otago Pinot Noir 2008. For a full list of resultsgo to www.airnewzealandwineawards.co.nz

Marlborough Savvy Loves Oysters

Yet again a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough has taken out the prize of Grand Champion at the 16th Annual Old Ebbitt Grills International Wine for Oysters challenge. Pitted against Savvys from California, Chile and of course Marlborough the Sileni Estates Cellar Selection Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010 reigned supreme.

Have Christmas at Herzog

Forget the shopping and cooking and have a stress free Christmas lunch or dinner at Herzog Gourmet Restaurant. Enjoy and aperitif in the winery, take a short tour of the estate before moving into the restaurant for a 3 course set gourmet lunch with matching Herzog wines, cost $159pp. Or take in Christmas dinner with 5 course dinner and wines for $236pp, New Years dinner is the same cost. For full details go to www.herzog.co.nz  bookings essential.

Villa Maria Summer Concerts

Villa Maria will play host to Roxy Music with Bryan Ferry in their only New Zealand show at Villa Maria’s Auckland winery on Sunday 6th March. Also playing at the Auckland vineyard is Crowded House on Sunday 27th February.
The More FM Winery Tour will be at Villa Maria’s Marlborough vineyard on Saturday 5th March with this year’s line-up featuring Brooke Fraser, OPSHOP and Midnight Youth, for more information go to www.villamariaconcerts.co.nz

New Releases November 2010

Pegasus Bay Maestro 2006

This Merlot Malbec blend has been allowed to develop some good bottle age before release providing a welcome respite from young raw reds. Flavours of dark dense blackcurrants and cedary oak seamlessly wrapped in firm but fine tannins, smooth and rich perfect drinking now but should continue to develop for some time yet, about $47 in NZ.

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 21 Bell Block Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Gorgeous vibrant aroma of herbs and gooseberries literally leap out of the glass, fresh and crisp with intense lemony fruit and a long sweet finish, silver medal at the Air NZ Wine Awards, Tasted alongside Pioneer Block 3 43 Degrees Sauvignon, which won gold I prefer the Bell Block style but both are excellent examples of  Marlborough Savvy, both about $25 in NZ.

Lawson’s Dry Hills Marlborough Pinot Noir 2008

An excellent example of affordable Pinot Noir, not a big wine but immensely drinkable, cherry plum and spicy fruit flavours are balanced with soft tannins and a long savoury finish, about $27 in NZ.

Gladstone Vineyard Wairarapa Viognier 2010

 Orange blossom aroma, rich stone fruit flavours, enriched by a portion being aged in older French oak barrels. A big full bodied wine with substantial alcohol a perfect match for our salmon fillets with asparagus and baby potato salad, about $24 in NZ.
 

New Releases October 2010

Villa Maria Private Bin Hawkes Bay (Organic) Merlot 2009

Wow this is a star, dark dense purple with spice and leather bouquet, well structured with beautifully sweet berry fruit and ripe rounded tannins, all for under $20 in NZ a real steal.

Main Divide Waipara Valley Riesling 2009

Could the Waipara Valley be the natural home of New Zealand’s top Riesling’s. Every year this wine is a consistent performer.  Intense aroma of honey, figs and spice, juicy and luscious citrus flavours with a long sweet finish, medium style with impeccable balance, about $20 in NZ.

Dry River Martinborough Lovat Syrah 2008

Dark berry and black pepper bouquet, smooth and succulent with notes of herbs and spice, intense pepper flavours dominate the palate, medium bodied wine that will soften over Atime, one for the cellar, about $64 from the winery.

Ti Point Matakana Rose 2010

Pale pink and made with 100% Merlot, fresh strawberry flavours with a backbone of tannin adding body, dry style and well matched with a warm lamb salad, about $22 in NZ.

Brown Brothers Patricia Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Dense purple wine with blackcurrant, spice and plums dominating the palate, big rich and concentrated with beautifully ripe tannins, drinking well right now but a wine which will continue to develop for some time, about $55 in NZ.

On the Grapevine October 2010

Pernod Ricard Downsizes

While smaller wineries and vineyard owners have been struggling for some time with debt, low wine and grape prices, some of our largest companies have appeared to be handling the turbulent times without much drama. But last week the announcement from our biggest wine company Pernod Ricard that they were selling off a good chunk of their wineries, brands and vineyards to Lion Nathan, shows just how hard the oversupply of grapes combined with the recession has hit all our wine producers.

To go to Lion Nathan partner Indevin are the Gisborne and Hawkes Bay wineries, Gisborne vineyards, and Twin Rivers vineyard Hawkes Bay.  Brands to be sold to Lion Nathan include Lindauer, Verde, Corbans, Huntaway, Saints, Timara, Bensen Block and Riverlands. The Lindauer brand alone has been one of their biggest success stories.

Pernod Ricard is also rebranding their Montana label which will now be known as Brancott Estate.
To launch the name change from Montana to Brancott Estate two new sparkling wines have been produced a Sauvignon Blanc and a Pinot Noir. Also to follow will be a Reserve Brut Cuvée and a Rosé all priced at $23.95.
The two wines released so far are light and fruity and offer something different and original in the sparkling style.

Herons Flight Now Plume

Herons Flight vineyard and restaurant has long been a popular venue for hearty food, great wine and innovative events. Now the restaurant has rebranded as Plume with a total makeover inside, new menu and new Chef, Gaetano Francelle from Sicily. The winery will continue to sell Herons Flight and Runner Duck wines and host a variety of dinners and tasting events in their new premises. To check out the changes and menu go to www.plumeresturant.co.nz

The Latest on Entries for the Air New Zealand Wine Awards

ENTRIES IN: Wineries rise to the challenge of new sustainability criteria for
Air New Zealand Wine Awards

- Air New Zealand Wine Awards entries solid despite challenging year
- 79 per cent of Sauvignon Blanc entries are sustainable
- Pinot Noir varietal receives the most entries for 2010

New Zealand wineries have entered almost 1,600 (1,586) wines into this year’s Air New Zealand Wine Awards with almost 40 per cent of entries being sustainable wines.

New Zealand Winegrowers’ global marketing director Chris Yorke is delighted with the strong entry numbers given the challenging economic environment and with the introduction of new sustainability criteria for this year’s awards.

From this year, wines grown and entered from the 2010 vintage onwards must be recognised as being 100 per cent sustainably produced. This only applies to wines entered from the 2010 vintage.

The introduction of the new criteria has led to an increase of almost 140 per cent in sustainable entries over last year – moving from 261 to 621.

“Sustainability has been a focus of the Air New Zealand Wine Awards and the wine industry for many years. Sustainable entries totalled 39 per cent of this year’s entries and it’s very encouraging to see that wineries in New Zealand are responding so positively to the challenge of sustainable wine production and the enhanced entry criteria,” said Mr Yorke.

“The entry numbers demonstrate that the industry values both the competition itself and producing sustainable, quality wines as we move towards the industry goal of 100 per cent sustainability by 2012.”

Organised and owned by New Zealand Winegrowers, the Air New Zealand Wine Awards is the country’s most prestigious wine competition, and regarded as the official competition of the New Zealand wine industry. 

Varietal and regional highlights
Across the various classes, Pinot Noir had the highest number of entries (310). However, it was still the white wine varietals that had the more significant numbers including: Sauvignon Blanc (276) followed by Chardonnay (210) and Pinot Gris (165). Of the ten wine regions, Marlborough had the most entries (610), followed by Hawke’s Bay (327) and Otago (205).

Strong in sustainable entries were Nelson and Marlborough, with well over half of entries from these regions (68 per cent for Nelson and 53 per cent for Marlborough) being sustainable.

Over three quarters of entries in both the up-and-coming Rosé class and the Sauvignon Blanc class were sustainable entries.

Definition of sustainability
Sustainability means:
- 100 per cent of grapes that go into the wine are accredited/certified through an independently audited sustainability programme
- 100 per cent of the winemaking and packaging facilities used in the production of the wine are accredited/certified through an independently audited sustainability programme.

2010 Air New Zealand Wine Awards entries by class including sustainable entries
Class Name Total Sustainable % of Total
Sparkling 62 8 12.9%
Gewürztraminer  57 28 49.1%
Pinot Gris 165 93 56.4%
Riesling 125 54 43.2%
Sauvignon Blanc 276 217 78.6%
Chardonnay 210 43 20.5%
Viognier 31 9 29.0%
Other White Varieties & Blends 16 8 50.0%
Dessert Wine Styles 32 6 18.8%
Rosé 35 28 80.0%
Pinot Noir 310 74 23.9%
Merlot 56 15 26.8%
Cabernet Sauvignon & Blends 84 8 9.5%
Syrah 73 10 13.7%
Other Red Varieties, Unspecified or Blended Reds 24 3 12.5%
Current Vintage Reds 4 4 100.0%
Emerging Wine Styles 26 13 50.0%
Total 1,586 621 39.2%

Judging
The Air New Zealand Wine Awards is an independent competition with a rigorous judging process undertaken by a team consisting of experienced international and local judges.
All wines in the competition will be judged over three days from 1 – 3 November at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland.
The 21-strong judging team is chaired by Steve Smith, Master of Wine (MW), and includes four international judges including:
• Eric Arnold (United States) author of First Big Crush, which outlines Arnold’s year working at Allan Scott vineyard in Marlborough.
• Stephen Brook (United Kingdom), author The Wines of California, and contributor to a number of wine publications based in Austria, Sweden and Korea.
• Ben Edwards (Australia) president of Sommeliers Australia and director of The Wine Guide (a global sommelier consultancy).
• Philip Rich (Australia) founder and partner of Prince Wine Store in South Melbourne, one of the largest independent fine wine stores in Australia. 
Full biographies of the international judges are below.

Key Dates
Monday 1 to Wednesday 3 November:   Judging at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Wednesday 10 November:                        Medal-winning wines announced
Saturday 20 November:                             Trophy, Elite Gold and Pure Elite Gold medal-winners announced at Air New Zealand Wine Awards gala dinner