All wine regions throughout world produce a wide range of quality wines and these special wines from New Zealand are now gaining recognition and appreciation around the world. I wrote about this a while back and was excited to see this virtual wine event sponsored by New Zealand Complexity. It will be an evening that is both delightful and informative. To participate just follow this link.
Saturday February 4th, 2012
Virtual Tasting 7:00pm Central Standard Time
In association with Wine Channel TV we’re celebrating Waitangi Day, New Zealand’s National holiday, with a virtual wine tasting and cooking demonstration – and you’re invited to ‘come along’! With Celebrity Winemakers in attendance, and a live audience in Chicago, you’ll have the opportunity to message in questions as you sip along with us from the comfort of your living room. Gather up a group of friends, register, and tune in with fellow-wine lovers from around the globe for this fun, social way to taste and learn about New Zealand’s finest wines!
Be sure to stock up with a few bottles from our featured wineries at a participating retailer beforehand. To stay up-to-date with #nzwineday news including competitions, participating retailers and restaurants, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
There is a difference between New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand and here it is.
Not long ago, New Zealand wine commentator Jayson Bryant wrote a column with the title “Where Has All the New Zealand Wine Gone?“. Today there are multiple categories of production in the world of New Zealand wine, in fact the industry body lists producers by size and includes three categories of small – medium and large. This has nothing to do with quality – just raw volume of wine produced.
The wines in the Jayson’s photo are generally New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs – well made wines that are readily available in wine departments from Hong Kong – Tokyo – London – New York – Chicago – Los Angeles & beyond. These wines have won many awards, generally have honorable scores, priced fairly and adequate at most meals. These wines are produced by global conglomerates or large family run businesses. None of this is either good or bad – it is just the way it is.
To understand Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, you have to take a moment and imagine walking through a farmers market filled with vendors who have a dazzling array of fresh fruits, vegetables, breads, eggs, cheese and so on. This market is a true delight for the senses where the creators of these wonderful foods have assembled to sell their goods. This is Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, wines that are only produced in small quantities with limited availability.
In another blog Misha Wilkenson writes about the small New Zealand wine producers and the marketing challenges facing this large group of small producers. In round numbers about 90% of all New Zealand wine producers make less than 25,000 cases of wine. This is the farmers market of New Zealand wines – challenge is finding them.
This is why I suggest Sauvignon Blanc (or Pinot Noir etc) from New Zealand is the proper designation for these special and hard to find New Zealand wines. New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is everywhere – Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, not so easy to find.
Back to the farmers market – basket loaded and now home in the kitchen preparing a meal for friends – imagine a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand with the first course and for the second a Pinot Noir from New Zealand – there was an effort to put it all together – the smiles on your friends faces confirm the effort was worth it.
Here is another side story that suggests if you truly want to find these special wines from New Zealand you have to either live there or get on a plane. (Quote is from end of article).
BRIDE FLIGHT is a lavish romantic drama inspired by the true story of the 1953 KLM flight that won the “Last Great Air Race” from London to Christchurch. The flight was dubbed “Bride Flight” by the international press, because of its special passengers — young women with wedding dresses in their suitcases, traveling to join their fiancés who had already emigrated to New Zealand. Leaving behind the gloom and scarcity of post-WWII Europe, shy but sensual farm girl Ada, dogmatic Marjorie, and Jewish fashion designer Esther are filled with hope for a future of love and freedom. Each takes a very different path in their strange new land, but together with handsome bachelor Frank, they form a bond on the flight that continues to link them for decades to come. Honored with Audience Awards at film festivals across the country, BRIDE FLIGHT evokes a time of slim choices and desperate optimism, with sweeping views of the New Zealand countryside, stunning period dresses, and the faint smell of Pinot Noir from the thriving vineyard Frank establishes in New Zealand.
To watch the trailer and check local theater listings, please visit:
Sometimes the trick to finding new and delicious New Zealand wines is as simple as reading the back label and getting to know who the importer is. Station Imports is one example of a small and specialized wine importer who only imports wines from one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Station Imports is very focused and exclusively works with wineries in Central Otago. This is a unique collection of wines including Rippon, Kawarau Estate, Sleeping Dogs, Freefall, Nevis Bluff and Mount Michael.
These wines are special, they are not in every grocery or wine store or on every wine list. You will have to go exploring to find them and that is all part of the joy.
I saw this the other day and enjoyed seeing a mellowed out Gary Vaynerchuk. Maybe the Southern Hemisphere suits Gary.
It was refreshing to listen to Gary and Jayson talk about wine with no pretense – just sharing what they feel is important to them.
This video reminded me of the summer of 1993 I moved back to the USA from New Zealand and Eric Clapton’s unplugged album was released. Great music in a very laid back feel to it. Something we all need from time to time.
Thanks to Gary and Jayson for sharing their thoughts.
“It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They’ve been going in and out of style But they’re guaranteed to raise a smile. So may I introduce to you……….”
New Zealand wines have a short history and only a few have 25 years of experience, Nautilus Estate in Marlborough is one who recently celebrated their 25th birthday.
I like people and wineries who have confidence in what they do – Nautilus Estate displayed this recently at a Twitter #SauvBlanc tasting and opened a 2002 Sauvignon Blanc – while a Twitter tasting does not let participants share what is in everyone’s glass – I give them the benefit of the doubt and believe their 2002 was still a respectable glass of wine. This is special when so many wines today do not excite enough to have a second glass.
Daniel Schuster from the Waipara Valley in New Zealand continues his discussion with Gary V about the delicious wines he produces in New Zealands South Island.
If you think you understand New Zealand wines, this interview with Daniel Schuster will open your eyes to both the history and what you are probably missing. Go, seek and then smile!
Allan Johnston and Chris Cozens have done an outstanding job of sharing the magic of Central Otago. To enjoy this video pour a glass of wine, sit back and connect with Central. And then share with your friends.
NEW ZEALAND WINEGROWERS WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO ENJOY A TASTE TOUR OF THE EMERGENCE OF REGIONAL CHARACTER IN RIESLING AND PINOT NOIR.
March 30 and April 7 2009
Image New Zealand Wine Growers
New Zealand Wine Growers will be hosting these events for wine industry media and trade people in San Diego and Las Vegas. New this year will be this special tasting to showcase the regional characteristics of both Pinot Noir and Riesling. The event will also include wines from around the country from leading wine producers.
The Walk Through Taste Tour has been laid out in a self-pour format, where you can taste at your leisure with all information at hand. Please also take one of the seminar packs available which includes reference detail on the seminar. Our New Zealand Winegrowers team are available to assist with questions should you have any, so please don’t hesitate to ask.
Here is a summary provided by New Zealand Wine Growers — thanks.
New Zealand produces a number of Rieslings in varying styles, anywhere from bone dry, to late harvest style sweet wines. The selection today runs the gauntlet of styles and caters for all tastes.
“In New Zealand its just as common to find top Pinot producers who skip Chardonnay in favor of Riesling. When you consider that Pinot and Riesling are the hottest red and white varieties in the U.S. market these days, it shows how cutting-edge these Kiwis are. If you haven’t
tried good New Zealand Pinot or Riesling in a while, I recommend you get to it.” Jordan Mackay, www.chow.com
New Zealand has long been famed for the success of its Sauvignon Blanc. More recently however the darling of the wine world, Pinot Noir has proved itself to be a viable competitor for the spot as New Zealand’s most acclaimed variety. Recent awards and recognition have only fuelled this flame, with highly regarded examples being produced in many of New Zealand’s wine growing regions. Today we invite you to ascertain for yourself the emerging regional distinctions and discover why Pinotphiles from all around the globe are coveting New Zealand Pinot Noir as a strong deliverer of elegance, distinction and value for money.
New Zealand excels beyond Sauvignon Blanc. The country can produce distinctive wines from diverse selection of grapes.”
Paul Lukacs, Washington Times
To attend these trade and media,events please RSVP with New Zealand Wine Growers – links are San Diego and Las Vegas.
To learn more about New Zealand wine and New Zealand wine events around the world please visit New Zealand Wine Growers.
All wine regions throughout world produce a wide range of quality wines and these special wines from New Zealand are now gaining recognition and appreciation around the world. I wrote about this a while back and was excited to see this virtual wine event sponsored by New Zealand Complexity. It will be an evening that is both delightful and informative. To participate just follow this link.
New Zealand Food and Wine TV 