FINE WINES FROM FOREIGN CLIMES
Hands up if you’re hankering to shake your same-old same-old wine buying habits and experience some international taste sensations? Then best you book an Airbnb, fuel up the Ford Fiesta and fang it to Auckland for the weekend of May 12th and 13th. Why? Because then you’ll be able to treat yourself to The World of Wine Festival. Held at AUT’s Auckland City Campus main foyer, just opposite the Art Gallery on Wellesley St and running from 12-6pm, it’s essentially the first truly global wine tasting event that NZ has ever seen. It goes without saying I’ll be there with bells clanging.
There’ll be over 140 wines from 14 countries available to taste in the Tasting Hall, with many more at the bar and throughout the expert-led Master Classes. Tasting stands will be manned by local importers and a few winemakers are flying in from the likes of France, Australia, Hungary and Georgia to host tables and seminars. Over two days there’ll be ten Master Classes covering a range of topics from New York wines, Natural wines, Georgian wines, and two very very special tastings: One held by Riedel as a Sensory Workshop and One held by Samuel Guibert of the legendary French estate of Mas de Daumas Gassac – who is hosting one of his famous vertical tastings of his Grand Vin Blanc and Rouge wines.
All masterclasses include tutored tastings of six wines related to the theme and they’re hosted by leading international wine experts, Masters of Wine (MW’s), Master Sommeliers (MS) and WSET Diploma holders (DWS). They all cost just $25 to attend aside from the very special Riedel Sensory Workshop which is $80/pp and includes a set of 3 beautiful Riedel Veritas glasses valued at $180. I’m dead set on attending the “Sherry Oh Baby” workshop with Jane Skilton MW and the “Austro-Hungarian Empire” tasting with Cameron Douglas MS, I think they’ll be eye-openers indeed. Tickets start at just $45 and all include a free Riedel Ouverture Wine Glass to taste with and take home afterwards. Go to www.theworldofwinefestival.nz
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Whistling Buoy Kokolo Vineyard Canterbury Pinot Noir 2016 $36 (5 stars)
Wow. Here’s one ultra-juicy, exotically-scented, super-charged pinot noir from under the southern sun. Kokolo is a vineyard on a sheltered site at the head of Lyttleton and clearly the grapes live the dream there, because the resulting wine is a smile in a bottle. Fresh, luscious, spice-infused and dusted with cocoa, it’s tannins are plucky and plush and it lingers long in the mouth. Love it.
www.whistlingbuoy.co.nz
Whistling Buoy Half Acre Vineyard Banks Peninsula Pinot Noir 2016 $26 (4 stars)
The Half Acre vineyard grows on a north-facing, sun-soaked site located on the southern flank of Lyttleton Harbour and the vines were only 6 years old when they produced enough fruit to make this wine. Vibrant wild berry and hedgerow aromas lead to a palate awash with spice and smoky notes. The tannins have grip which get the saliva glands going and it’s long, long, long on the finish.
www.whistlingbuoy.co.nz
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A Tale of Three Pinot’s…the differences between two single vineyard and the blend are crazy-good…
Nautilus Awatere River Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014 $62.99 (4.5 stars)
Nautilus’ Awatere River vineyard is a small, terraced site approximately 25 kilometres upstream on the north bank of the Awatere River and Pinot was planted there in 1999. Nineteen years on, those vines are turning out super-concentrated fruit that just dances into the bottle. Silky and seductive, there’s a sniff of toast from 11 months maturation in 33% new French oak barriques, yet the fruit is still very much the hero. Smooth and showing finely structured tannins, it’s drinking nicely indeed.
www.vinofino.co.nz
Nautilus Clay Hills Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014 $69.99 (5 stars)
Nautilus Clay Hills Vineyard is located on the ridge that divides the Brancott and Omaka Valleys and it’s divided into 6 separate blocks with differing aspects, elevation and slopes. Pinot noir grown on clay-based soils seem to possess a unique depth of flavour and I’m a huge fan. Matured for 11 months in 33% new French oak barriques, this wine shows a darker fruit spectrum, bolder tannins and raspberry-cola characters. Gorgeous.
www.glengarrywines.co.nz
Nautilus Southern Valleys Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 $39 (4 stars)
Blended from a selection of Nautilus Wairau Valley vineyard sites, this is delicately scented, and elegantly poised on the palate. It is seriously smooth and supple, with red fruits like pomegranate, raspberry, red cherry and redcurrant just peaking their pretty faces above the core of savoury, earthy flavours. Soft, plush and perfect with duck liver parfait.
www.nautilusestate.com
