Absolute Ripper 2013 Wine Vintage for Hawke’s Bay

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Wednesday, 22 May 2013, 11:11 am
Press Release: Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers

Absolute Ripper 2013 Wine Vintage for Hawke’s Bay – It’s confirmed! The excitement expressed as grapes of every variety were harvested throughout Hawke’s Bay last month, has burst into euphoria; pressed grapes now safely in barrels and casks are being touted as exceptional and 2013 as the ‘vintage of the century’ for Hawke’s Bay.

An informal survey of winemakers from Central Hawke’s Bay to Esk Valley, from the coast to the (almost) the ranges is unanimous. The flavours and colour of this season’s pressed grapes, both white and red, could not be better.

“It’s as exciting as everyone says,” was the verdict from Rod McDonald of Rod McDonald Wines, while Sacred Hill’s Tony Bish is particularly bullish and believes this year’s grapes will make the “greatest wine Hawke’s Bay has seen”.

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Eureka Pinot Noir Straw Wine 2012

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Eureka Straw Pinot Noir

Eureka Straw Pinot Noir

I’ve been eagerly waiting for this wine to be released by Stephen and Hugh at Eureka Wines here in Marlborough… I was privy to their idea for a Dessert Pinot Noir a while ago and have just had my first taste – quite lovely and a surprising change from the range of late harvest, sticky and noble Riesling, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc on the market at present. Not to say I don’t like Stickies as such – I most certainly do, but this is such a surprise being made from Pinot Noir and by the Straw Wine method.

Stephen and Hugh of Eureka Wines are outstanding in their field – way beyond the Left Field in fact. They are innovative boutique producers, creating unique hand-crafted small parcel wines that have individual points of difference. As the world is awash with Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, they have gone in the opposite direction stylistically, focusing on aromatic varieties and dessert wines. Gewurztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Straw Sav Blanc, Late Harvest Pinot Gris and now Pinot Noir “Straw Wine Style!”

This Dessert Pinot is the latest from their portfolio and sits nicely alongside their Straw Wine Sauvignon Blanc and Late Harvest Pinot Gris… “Straw Wine” is made by hand-selecting the best bunches of grapes at normal ripeness, to capture the natural acidity and aromas, in the case clone 6 Pinot Noir. The bunches are laid out on beds of straw in a greenhouse for around 4 weeks where they dehydrate and concentrate the natural sugars and flavours. Only made in tiny quantities – I think Stephen said only one barrel made!

Eureka Straw Wine Pinot Noir Marlborough NZ 2012
In the glass a gorgeous cherry red colour with some, slightly bricky notes. Dark cherry, strawberry and spice in the nose, and it surprised me on the palate as although over 200 g/l R/S (correct me if I’m wrong Hugh) has enough fruit concentration to not be cloying. Port-like characters with out the alcohol heat on the palate with sweet smoky-cherry and fine acidity, a tiny touch of oak and a long delicious finish! An alternative to a port after dinner!
375 ml Alc/Vol 10% RRP about $40.00

To find out more about Straw Wine and about the guys at Eureka, visit their Facebook Page or visit them at the Marlborough Farmer’s Market in Blenheim each Sunday where you can have a taste and buy a bottle of this and all their other wines… I can’t wait to see what they come up with next! Cheer, Stephen & Hugh!

Decanter World Wine Awards 2013 – NZ Results

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Decanter World Wine Awards 2013

Our heartfelt congratulations to all the successful New Zealand’s wine producers, whose hard graft, passion for wine and perseverance during a few bleak years, has resulted in such a great haul of medals and commendations.

NZ Regional Trophy Winners

New Zealand Sweet under £15 Trophy

Brancott Estate Letter Series B* Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2011

New Zealand Single-Varietal Red under £15 Trophy

Crossroads Winemaker Collection Cabernet Franc 2010

New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc under £15 Trophy

Lawson’s Dry Hills Mount Vernon Sauvignon Blanc 2012

New Zealand Rosé under £15 Trophy

Lawson’s Dry Hills Pinot Rose 2012

New Zealand Riesling under £15 Trophy

Little Beauty Dry Riesling 2010

New Zealand Chardonnay over £15 Trophy

Matua Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2011

New Zealand Sweet over £15 Trophy

Riverby Estate Noble Riesling 2011

New Zealand Pinot Noir over £15 Trophy

Villa Maria Reserve Pinot Noir 2010

New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc over £15 Trophy

Villa Maria Taylors Pass Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2012

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Spiegelau International Wine Competition Judges Announced

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Unique line-up of International Judges for NZ Wine Comp

Monday, 20 May 2013, 3:57 pm

Spiegelau International Wine Competition Judges Announced

*** MEDIA RELEASE ***


‘Unique line-up of International Judges for New Zealand’s Spiegelau International Wine Competition’

From a total of 12 judges, three are flying in from Australia and one from Singapore to add their extensive experience to the eight-strong New Zealand team at this year’s Spiegelau International Wine Competition.

Joining regulars Ralph Kyte-Powell from Melbourne and Adelaide-based consultant Phil Reedman MW are Annette Scarfe, a newly minted MW based in Singapore and Nick Ryan, wine writer and commentator from Sydney.

Chief Judge, Mike DeGaris commenting on the appointments said, “This show always has a very strong judging line-up and with the addition of Nick and Annette we are in a perfect position to appraise the 1200 or so entries.”

Trophy sponsors also make for an impressive list and include Singapore Airlines, Silver Fern Farms, Caffe L’affare, Scenic Hotel Group, Liquorland, Antipodes Water Company and the Gow Langsford Gallery. Director Belinda Jackson says, “These companies share our vision of excellence. We are delighted to partner with such influential brands”.

Judging is being held in Marlborough from 18 to 20 June and the Awards Dinner and announcement of trophies is on 9 August in Auckland. Entries close this Friday 24 May.

Visit http://www.thespiegelauiwc.co.nz/ for more information

NZ Boutique Wine Festival 2013

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This year will see the launch of the New Zealand Boutique Wine Festival, featuring wines from some of New Zealand’s foremost boutique wine producers in a high end, central Auckland venue.

The festival offers boutique wineries the opportunity to showcase their wines and stand out from the crowd in what is becoming an increasingly competitive wine market. The wineries will have an unprecedented opportunity to tap into a highly-targeted and sophisticated audience of wine lovers and enthusiasts, as well as trade, and will gain additional exposure through social and mainstream media.

Festival goers will be able to taste and purchase unique wines from all over New Zealand in one central location. It will be a wine festival unlike any other, offering a discovery of some of New Zealand’s great, undiscovered wines that are not readily-available in large retail stores. We have undertaken an exhaustive search of the country’s best boutique wine producers and are proud to help them take their wines to a broader audience. Not only do we want to share these wines with those who are passionate about the industry, we want to provide a platform to share some of the fascinating stories behind the wines, the winemakers and the vineyards.

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