posted by Emma It’s always fun when new faces and places cross one’s path. This week, the Landing Chardonnay made for the first entry of a Bay of Islands wine into my tasting spreadsheet, and Hawke’s Bay producer Helio was also a new name to me. The 2019 Landing ‘Boathouse’ Bay of Islands Chardonnay ($27.00,…
Author: emma
Etna-tastic
Wine remains one of a few products transparently connected to its place of origin, telling that story via its soil, climate and the people who coax it from vine to bottle. This link from producer to consumer can get overlooked even by those of us who love and obsess over wine – maybe we buy for the kudos of a label, or perhaps we just drink a glass without thought after a busy day. When this happens, it easy to overlook the most wonderfully fascinating aspect of wine: it’s a window into other worlds.
Thoughts on Chardonnay
The recent arrival of a couple of high profile 2018 Hawke’s Bay chardonnays piqued my interest and I thought it might be interesting to add a couple of other 2018s from different regions. It turned out to be a mini masterclass in the stylistic debate that has been raging around chardonnay the past few years.
2018 New Zealand Syrah
In mid-December, I was invited by Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers to join a tasting of 2018 Syrah put on for jancisrobinson.com’s Richard Hemming MW, who was visiting New Zealand after attending the Master of Wine Education Seminar in Adelaide.
The future…it’s organic.
While organic and biodynamic wine by volume makes up about 6% of the total wine made in New Zealand, it seems to make up 100% of the marketing material NZ Winegrowers pumps out.
Beating the Aussies again…mostly.
Trans-Tasman rivalry is an enduring feature of Australia and New Zealand’s relationship, a (mostly) friendly tug-of war played out in sports, politics and bad jokes.
It’s all Greek to me
Mention Greek wine and most people think Retsina. While in some respects this distinctive pine-infused white represents much of Greek wine (history, individuality, rusticity) it is also a very narrow lens through which to view a fascinating and dynamic wine industry.
The Doctor Is In
I am happy to state that I am one of those people who grimaced and rolled eyes at the substantial investment made by the MPI and NZ Winegrowers into the ‘lighter wines’ category (even typing this brings on minor clenching of body parts)
NZ Malbec – who knew there were so many?
I was rather intrigued when a box of eight Malbecs turned up on my doorstep, as it’s a variety that seems doomed to be ever the bridesmaid
Que Syrah
NZ is well-established on a world stage with our flagship sauvignon blanc, but we are also becoming known as a country capable of truly great red wines.
Marlborough, tripping the pinotastic
Marlborough tends to dominate our wine headlines but think pinot noir and most conjure up an image of Central Otago.
Chateau Pichon Longueville Baron, Pauillac
Every now and then you taste a wine that helps to recalibrate your palate… and the 2004 Chateau Pichon-Baron I tasted a week ago reminded me just how classic and complete good Bordeaux really is. Beautifully integrated with ripe, seamless fruit, fine, unobtrusive oak and wonderful length, this wine is still in its infancy and…