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.
Element Wines
Element Wines is a (relatively) new venture from Dominic and Rachelle Smith.
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)
Fromm : 2015 Pinot Noir
There can’t have been a single delegate at Pinot17 who wasn’t charmed by Hatsch Kalberer’s gentle speech praising Central Otago’s wines and its winemakers. But though he mentioned being envious of his more southerly brethren, surely there is no better advocate for Marlborough than this talented Swiss born winemaker who has steered the ship at Fromm for over 25 years.
Mahi : new releases
Mahi’s owner and winemaker Brian Bicknell is a thoughtful producer whose wines may not be the most exuberant but rarely disappoint.
Novum Wines
Novum is the new venture from William Hoare (who sold his interest in Marlborough Fromm Vineyard last year), and his wife, Rachel Jackson-Hoare.
Jenny Dobson Wines
Jenny Dobson is one of New Zealand’s most experienced red winemakers and to date her focus has been firmly on the classic French varieties that seem to do so well in Hawke’s Bay. It is therefore interesting to see her look further afield for inspiration and explore an Italian variety.
IWM January 2018
Dog Point, Brancott Estate, Vidals, Greywacke, Te Kano, TexSom, Amisfield
FAWC : Aged and Rare
Food and Wine Classic Hawke’s Bay (FAWC) was started in 2012 and has grown from an event that was held annually to one that has two full months of activities in both November and June.
Craggy Range Te Muna Four
If Charlie Thompson, a confectionary salesman, hadn’t (purportedly) dropped his tray of samples in front of a potential customer, thereby jumbling up all the sweets, liquorice allsorts would not have been invented.
Central Muster
“Don’t worry, they won’t ask many questions” said Natalie Potts, NZ Winegrowers Asia Marketing Manager. I was in Beijing teaching NZW wine education courses and was getting used to students who focussed intently on learning but whom were quite shy about speaking up. So I was taken aback when one sommelier asked me to rank…
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