We have to salute New Zealander’s Jayson Bryant at WineVault TV and Giapo Italian Sorbet for their innovative Sauvignon Blanc Sorbet. Together, they are crafting a series of Sauvignon Blanc Sorbet from ten New Zealand wine producers. Giapo is doing the magic.
To learn more you can visit Giapo’s blog here or watch Jayson and Giapo discuss these fun foods at WineVault TV.
Some time ago I wrote about finding new wines by taking the time to get to know the people behind the wines. Wild Rock is an example of a New Zealand winery with 
a group of fun and interesting people. Like to buy wine from people who live life to the max – here they are.
Want to buy a New Zealand wine that might be outside of what you normally do – maybe a Pinot Gris or a Merlot / Malbec blend or what about a Rose? When you go for it with your dollars, it is always good to know you are buying from real people, in a real place. Wild Rock is one of those choices.
What’s even more interesting, as you explore the people, you find someone who is connected to something else. So it is with Wild Rock – while this video will deadpan Steve Smith as just a guy – as he obviously is – and the website presents him only as a Wild Rock guy – there is more.
A little research will show that Steve Smith is a shareholder, director and a lot more at Craggy Range Winery. Craggy Range is a special New Zealand story and one worth noting – coincidentally I wrote about them not long ago too.
This is where the story gets interesting because many think New Zealand is capable of producing limited numbers and styles of wine. Steve Smith is way out in front and showing the world what New Zealand is truly capable of. And he is proving his Craggy Range New Zealand wines can run with the best in the world.
Wild Rock is a side project with lots of upside for your wine pleasure – Craggy Range is the bonus or maybe it is the other way around. Either way you win!
Robert Haynes-Peterson recently wrote a nice piece encouraging wine enthusiasts to revisit Chardonnay and seek out the new modern styles that are emerging from New Zealand and other wine regions.
A new benchmark was reached by Craggy Range Winery in Hawkes Bay recently and shows New Zealand wines can run with the best in the world. At least Craggy Range wines, as they had both the courage and confidence to put their wines side by side with some of the best investment class wines from around the world.
Eric Arnold from Forbes magazine was invited (Google will take you to the article) where Craggy Range wines were tasted blind by highly regarded panels in New York and San Francisco. Pinot noir and a Bordeaux style Merlot both received top praise. A tasting in London had a similar outcome, wines from Craggy Range are on par with the best in the world.
I think this now completes the loop for New Zealand as they are able to produce wines for all categories. All great wine countries and regions produce wine to meet the needs of the following consumer categories.
While some will quarrel with my list and suggest New Zealand is all “quality” I prefer to say wines from New Zealand are leaders in quality in all the above categories. I do acknowledge investment class is a stretch descriptor.
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 23 /PRNewswire/ — For foodies, New Zealand is a veritable playground, renowned for its award-winning wines and farm-fresh cuisine.
On March 30, from New Zealand to Australia, luxury specialist Crystal Cruises is showcasing the epicurean appeal of the region on a 12-day Wine & Food Experiences of Discovery cruise. Master Sommeliers Robert Bath and Cameron Douglas – the first and only Master Sommelier from New Zealand – will guide guests through the nuances and pairings of New Zealand’s finest vintages, while optional Crystal Adventures take guests to celebrated Cloudy Bay Vineyards, Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough. Sailing to Sydney, leading Australian chef and innovator Serge Dansereau will share regional specialties via cooking demonstrations, tastings and special menus, while top Australian food purveyor Simon Johnson will host tastings of artisanal cheeses and gourmet chocolate.
Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand is always thought best consumed early in its youth. For many this is true and now there is an emerging group of New Zealand wine producers whose efforts will continue to delight for several years.
A recent event in New Zealand invited John Avery to discuss and taste some past vintages of Sauvignon blanc. You can read the entire article here ………
If you are looking to give New Zealand gifts to friends or relatives, here is a wonderful resource.
Natureshop is a New Zealand-based online retailer that is passionate about providing its customers with 100% natural fibre products that are healthy on the body and have minimal impact on the environment.
As a carbon neutral certified company by CarboNZero, we are committed to environmental sustainability. This is reflected in our company name, our suppliers, packaging, recycling and most importantly – the brands we sell.
We stock Icebreaker’s complete range of high performance outdoor clothing that is made from 100% pure NZ merino wool. Our range of clothing is available in a number of thicknesses and styles, all of which offer temperature regulation, next-to-skin comfort and superb breathability for all of your high energy outdoor activities and everyday use.
Natureshop also stocks an extensive range of adults and kids ugg boots that include all the popular models as well as the hottest styles from Emu Australia’s latest range. Our online products also include a variety of sheepskin slippers from Emu Australia and Golden Fleece NZ.
We also stock quality silk clothing from New Zealand’s Silkbody brand as well as a line-up of woollen homewares from other New Zealand companies. We are constantly looking to add other natural fibre products that will benefit our customers and the environment.
Please visit our website at www.natureshop.com and select the right clothing to meet your comfort needs and fashion preferences.
Happy shopping!
Christchurch/Southern New Zealand has been selected as the New Zealand representative on the prestigious Great Wine Capitals Global Network.
The Great Wine Capitals network, which includes as members wine regions such as Bordeaux, France and San Francisco/Napa Valley in the US, is an international network of major wine producing regions which aims to promote tourism, education and business exchange.
The Christchurch City Council-led bid to join the international network incorporates the wine growing regions of Canterbury, Waipara Valley, Marlborough and Central Otago. As the largest wine-growing region in the South Island, Marlborough took a key role in the bid.
***PRESS RELEASE***
July 2009 
No.1 Family Estate, New Zealand’s only winemaker focusing exclusively on the production of Methode Traditionnelle has appointed Eveline Fraser to share the role of Chief Winemaker with proprietor, Daniel Le Brun.
Fresh from her position as Senior Winemaker at Marlborough’s Cloudy Bay, Eveline’s experience in the production of Cloudy Bay’s cult sparkling wine, Pelorus will contribute valuable experience to the company’s winemaking team. Daniel comments on Eveline’s appointment, “We are delighted to welcome Eveline to the team. Our families have been friends for 30 years and it is wonderful that we can now share our passion for making great sparkling wines.”
Using only specialised equipment imported from Champagne, Eveline will join the family-owned producer to continue the ritual of hand-crafting superb Methode Traditionelle focusing on just five very special wines; Cuvée N°1, a non-vintage blanc de blancs made from 100% chardonnay, Cuvée Number 8, a non-vintage blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Reserve Cuvée No.10 and Cuvée Virginie – both limited edition wines and only made in the finest of years and now for the first time, a rose made from 100% Pinot Noir.
No. 1 Family Estate has grown steadily since its establishment eleven years ago and with numerous international trophies, gold medals and five-star awards, is looking forwards to a rewarding future.
For further details please contact:
Daniel Le Brun 021 539 338
Adele Le Brun 021 982 192
The Marlborough Express recently published this review about a new wine book by New Zealand author Jo Burzynska.
Jo Burzynska is a fellow wine writer known by many for her columns in The Press, New Zealand Herald’s Viva magazine and The New Zealand WineGrower.
Her new book, Wine Class: All you need to know about wine in New Zealand was launched on July 3. Here is the rest of the article
New Zealand Food and WineTV
