Saint Clair Family Estate New World Producer of the Year

The exceptional quality of wines from Saint Clair Family Estate has been recognised in a leading international wine show. Saint Clair Family Estate has been awarded the highly acclaimed New World Producer of the Year at the UK’s Sommelier Wine Awards 2012.

This unique competition focuses entirely on wines aimed at the on-trade. Judged by over 80 of UK’s finest sommeliers and on-trade buyers, now in its fifth year, it has developed tremendous credit in the industry. This year an astounding 1850 wines were entered.

Medals are awarded to wines of outstanding quality, and Saint Clair Family Estate was awarded five medals across a range of varietals and price points. The best wines of the competition are gathered together to form the coveted Gold List, and Saint Clair Family Estate achieved two wines on this list for 2012.

• Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (Gold)
• Saint Clair Awatere Valley Reserve Noble Riesling 2009 (Gold)
• Saint Clair Pioneer Block 18 Snap Block Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (Silver)
• Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Chardonnay 2010 (Silver)
• The Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Pinot Noir 2010 was identified as ‘one to watch’ (Bronze medal)

“Saint Clair has always done well in the Sommelier Wine Awards, but this was a good year even by its exalted standards,” says Chris Losh, wine writer and editor of Imbibe. “Beyond the sheer number of awards, the judges were impressed with the way in which it picked up medals in a variety of styles: Golds for a botrytis Riesling and a Sauvignon, Silvers for a Sauvignon and a Chardonnay, and Bronze for a Pinot Noir.”

Neal and Judy Ibbotson, owners of Saint Clair, are thrilled with this recent recognition, commenting: “The outstanding results are attributed to our programme of open-minded viticulture and a unique wine quality assessment system, which has identified superior sub-regions of Marlborough. This, combined with a strong team approach focused on quality, has led Saint Clair Family Estate to being one of New Zealand’s most awarded wineries.”

The family-owned Marlborough winery has developed a strong reputation as a leading international wine producer, and achieving the esteemed award of the New World Wine Producer of the Year further cements this reputation.

Mission Estate continues remarkable business transformation with purchase of substantial Marlborough vineyard.

Mission Estate Winery today announced the purchase of the iconic Cape Campbell vineyard in Cable Station Road, Marlborough. One of the largest vineyard purchases in Marlborough for the last few years, this is a bold statement of confidence for an industry that has been going through tough times.

Mission Estate was established in Hawke’s Bay in 1851 by French missionaries. After many decades of excellent wines, by the mid 1990s the business was struggling. Peter Holley was recruited to develop and implement strategies that could maximise company performance.

Since then, Mission Estate has enjoyed substantial growth in revenues and established a notable reputation for quality, internationally award-winning wines that exhibit both regional and varietal character.

The purchase of the Cape Campbell vineyard is another step in the remarkable turn-around of New Zealand’s oldest and most historic winery.

“We have recently been focusing our endeavours on selected off-shore markets, with extremely positive results,” says Mr Holley. “The acquisition of the Cable Station Road Vineyard gives us another proven, quality supply of grapes, and reflects the company’s philosophy of sourcing fruit from the best wine growing regions of New Zealand. In addition to meeting current demand, the vineyard purchase will also meet the requirements for our future offshore market development strategy.”

The 100ha Marlborough vineyard is planted mainly in Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.

Caine Thompson, Mission Viticulturalist, notes, “The vineyard has been established to a very high standard, has excellent soils and outstanding vine health. The block exhibits very low disease pressure, has considerable water resource and enjoys a relatively frost free profile.  These factors combined with an excellent location have created an extraordinary opportunity for the company.”

Paul Mooney, Mission’s Chief Winemaker, agrees, adding: “The lower Awatere valley is noted for wines with distinct mineral notes and intense varietal character. It is our intention to produce single vineyard wines of quality and influence. These wines will provide a very compelling offer when viewed against our highly regarded Bordeaux blends and Rhone style wines from our Gimblett Gravels vineyards.”

Stuart Smith, Chairman of New Zealand Winegrowers, says the purchase is an important one for the New Zealand wine industry.

“This is a particularly positive move and is further evidence of Marlborough’s desirability as a premium grape growing region. The purchase also reflects the on-going interest in Marlborough, particularly in the light of the industry’s improving export performance.”

Previous owners Murray and Daphne Brown will be retained by Mission Estate to manage the vineyard. Mission Estate will continue to source fruit from company owned vineyards and from existing contract growers in Hawke’s Bay, Marlborough and Central Otago.

ENDS

Anchorage Reserve Pinot Noir 2010 Nelson
From the forgotten corner of the South Island is Anchorage Family Estate Reserve Pinot Noir 2010. I taste this wine with Radio Wammo of Kiwi FM and also digest the weeks media stories and lack of investigative journalism in New Zealand.

Dry River Pinot Noir 1994 Martinborough

Dry River Wines

For the past decade I’ve faced a dilema. One of the most celebrated New Zealand wines just failed to excite me. “First world problem” I hear you shout. First world problem indeed, but I’ve always tried to understand their wines, and what makes them so successful.

I recently had the chance to visit Martinborough in all its glory and get to know some of the personalities behind the labels.It was then, and only then, that I started to understand what makes Dry River wines the wines they are today.

I had the fortune to travel throughout Martinborough with Shayne Hammond and meet his winemaking wife Poppy. It was only whilst talking about Dry River and the ethics behind the wines that I started to appreciate them.

Both Poppy and Shayne breathe love into these wines. They consider them their babies, and treat them as so. I’m here during vintage and am able to see them precision and attention to detail that the Dry River team apply to their wines.

The winery is one of the cleanest I’ve visited, a luxury being a small boutique premium producer. Nothing is out of place. The team is small and highly qualified. Each wine is handled meticulously. The wines speak volumes of the former owner. Neil McCullum is/was a scientist and applied the same sterile techniques to his wines, and winery since starting in 1979, as he did to his profession. Once you understand that the wines start to speak to you.

It’s taken ten years+ to come to terms with wines that I thought were quite dull and lacking character. Today I appreciate they speak volumes and show the character of the winemakers.

Dry River Sauvignon Blanc 1985 Martinborough

All of Dry River wines are made to age. They also all still are sealed under cork. Even tasting a 1985 Sauvignon Blanc, albeit very close to being dead it still showed some varietal character, highlighted that these wines were built for longevity and not instant gratification. New Zealand Pinot Noir and Syrah is often talked about falling over after 5 years, these wines will last you 20+.

Dry River Pinot Gris 1994
Aged golden brilliant colour. Hint of citrus but with an aged Riesling character. Still remains youthful and vibrant with even more life left.

Dry River 1994 Pinot noir
Unfiltered with slight turbidity. Attractive freshly picked porcini mushroom character. Blackberry and plum aromas. Seductive on the palate with lots of fruit left on the acid coat hanger. Layered with good finish.

Dry River Lovat 2002 Syrah
Brilliant colour with white pepper and olive notes. Subtle doris plum and spice. Delicate on the palate with textured mouth feel. Good length but very clean and linear. Moreish and invigorating.

Dry River Arapoff 2001 Syrah
Bright in colour. Spearmint slight green edge. Thin in character on the palate. Varietal in nature but slightly dull in nature. Proclaimed to be from a better year than the 2001 but not holding as firm nor as palatable.

Thank you to wines of Martinborough and all of the wineries that allowed me to get my hands dirty. A big thank you to Shayne and Poppy of Dry River wines.

A Million Random Wineries. One Competition. Only The Best SurvivE.

Think Dragons’ Den crossed with The X Factor… WINESTARS offers the opportunity of a lifetime to global wine producers not represented in the UK market. It is a platform for success.  It is the opportunity for any global wine producer to go from obscurity to notoriety in a 3-minute pitch and have access to BIG WIGs of the UK wine market at the touch of a button.  WINESTARS will use technology and social media to create opportunities and awareness for all wineries that would otherwise cost them 1000s of pounds.

Think about being a Musician or an Actor.  You need an agent right. You also better hope you have the best or the one with the smartest contacts, or you are on a long lonely road, without anyone really hearing your cause, or realizing how talented you are.

It’s the same for wineries, especially those trying to crack the UK market. There is too much choice… Buyers are overwhelmed and the old agency model doesn’t work anymore. In fact it’s a barrier to entry in most cases.

Hence the launch of the WINESTARS awards, with finals on Thursday 24^th May at the LIWSF.

“WINESTARS will provide the fastest, most transparent, route to market for wine producers. 

It will allow for wineries from anywhere in the world without a UK agent/distributor to enter, have a chance to show their wines in a state-of-the-art format that optimizes information, media and networks in order to create opportunities and for the best, to gain listings,” says Catherine Monahan, Founder WINESTARS.

“We are partnering up with Robert Joseph, founder of “Do You Like It”, someone who truly sees the future of the wine business and is the guru of events and wine challenges, having previously launched the IWC”.

WINESTARS embraces new technology, all technology, to bring change and innovation to the UK wine market and the LIWSF.

WINESTARS IS: -

• Open to any winery not presently sold or represented in the UK by anyone
• Kicking off on the evening of the 26th April live online - on www.WINE-STARS.com - where potential starlet wineries have the opportunity to tell why they are the most outstanding winery or have the most innovative exciting product worthy of being shown to and bought by, the BIG WIGS of the UK wine trade!
• WINESTARS will be supported by a live Twitter site, Facebook site with 5000 supporters and wineries; linked-in site and YouTube site for wineries to upload any video onto. It aims to show wineries how social media can help them grow awareness and communicate and get new business
• After receiving entries, the judges’ panel will analyse them based on special criteria and will watch any video submitted by wineries.  Entries will then be whittled down to the top 100 and THEN the TOP 10 potential WINESTARS!
• The 90 wineries who made the initial cut, will then be up for online auction for 10 days for any retailer or importer to buy/list their wines
• Entries need to be sent in online by the 10th May 2012, after which all will be judged and the top 100 will be chosen
• The finals will take place on Thurs 24^rd May 2012 at 1pm in the ACCESS ZONE at the LIWSF, Excel
• On the day of the finals, each winery will be given 3 minutes to pitch and taste their products to a group of judges and a floor panel of up to top bloggers, media tech, producers and journalists. They will be free to tell the group why they feel their product is suited to the UK market and should be sold here
• Entrants will be encouraged to use the pecha-kucha method of presenting. Needless to say it will take both great wines and remarkable pitches to woo this crowd.
• If producers cannot attend, they are welcome to ask someone based in the UK to present on their behalf
• The Judging Team is: Justin Howard-Sneyd, Global Buying Director Direct Wines and Laithwaites; Joan Torrents, Mitchell’s and Butler; Ben Stephenson, Hanging Ditch Wine Merchants; Catherine Monahan, Owner Clink Wines Ltd; Robin Davis, Founder SWIG; Kevin Shaw, Founder Stranger & Stranger Design. A multiple grocery retailer has also been invited.
• There will be 3 winners – and listings available in either a grocer, pub chain, independent specialist, direct to consumer private business or large direct to consumer.com business

“Finalists need to wow the judges with their stunning wines, razzle-dazzle presentations and flamboyant labels and ideas”, says Catherine Monahan, Founder WINESTARS.

FUTURE SHOWS:

WINESTARS will launch a never-seen before consumer event in October which will comprise of an interactive entertainment/food/wine event, followed by an evening LIVE AUDIENCE show where selected consumers will be part of X-FACTOR type wine competition between winemakers/producers given quirky and fun, entertaining tasks to compete against one another offering new brand development and new listings and innovation to be seen.  Consumers will be involved in gaming and iPhone apps to vote and take part.

WINESTARS will be rolled out to Prowein 2013; much bigger at LIWSF 2013 and to Hong Kong 2013, possibly the USA.

Craggy Range Syrah 2010 Hawke’s Bay

In this episode I taste Craggy Range Syrah 2010 from Hawke’s Bay. Craggy Range are one of the premium red wine producers in New Zealand, and have gained international awards and press for their wines.

The 2010 Syrah is from multi sites across the Gimblett Gravels. The vines are heritage vines that are stock from the first Syrah vines brought to New Zealand.

Saint Clair Block 15 Pinot Noir 2010 Marlborough

In this episode I taste Saint Clair Block 15 Pinot Noir 2010. Saint Clair, New Zealand Winery of the year, are more synonymous with Sauvignon Blanc but make good wine across most varieties.

Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay

Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay

Now i know that for many $25 is a celebratory wine and not a midweeker, but this Chardonnay, and get over yourself if you’re part of the ABC movement, is too good not to be ‘Bargain of the Week’.

Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay is one of the most iconic (often overused but not in this case) Chardonnay’s producers in New Zealand, not just Auckland. This is definitely worth cellaring for a few more years and is also drinking perfectly now.

Click on the link to BUY it

Don’t just believe me when I tell you this is an amazing Chardonnay for under $25, trust the others who’ve reviewed the wine.

reviews.
95 /100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit.
92/100: Harvey Steiman |
Wine Spectator. 17.5/20: Decanter.

Top 50 list pays testament to New Zealand wine’s enduring brand appeal

New Zealand Wine

7 New Zealand wine brands have secured places in the recently announced Top 50 ‘World’s Most Admired Wine Brands’ list by the drinks journal Drinks International. Brancott Estate, Oyster Bay, Cloudy Bay, Villa Maria, Babich, Wither Hills, and Nobilo are listed alongside international brands such as Penfolds, Michel Chapoutier, and Chateau Margaux as being leading players in the global wine industry.

Chris Yorke, New Zealand Winegrowers’ Global Marketing Director, comments “I am delighted that seven New Zealand brands have made the Top 50 list. It reconfirms New Zealand’s position as a producer of premium, diverse and sustainable wines.”

Sixty members of the global wine community nominated the wine brands they admire most. Voters included Peter McCombie MW, Peter Marks MW, Tuomas Meriluoto MW, Kym Milne MW and Lynne Sherriff MW.

The Drinks International 50 Most Admired Wine Brands are:
1 Concha y Toro
2 Torres
3 Antinori
4 Penfolds
5 Jacob’s Creek
6 Kendall Jackson
7 Michel Chapoutier
8 Guigal
9 Vega Sicilia
10 Chateau Margaux
11 Duboeuf
12 JP Chenet
13 Ridge
14 Brancott Estate
15 Marques de Riscal
16 Chateau Ste Michelle
17 Oyster Bay
18 Cheval Blanc
19 McGuigan
20 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti
21 Campo Viejo
22 Cloudy Bay
23 Chateau Lafite
24 Fetzer
25 Marques de Caceres
26 Blue Nun
27 KWV
28 Robert Mondavi
29 Santa Rita
30 Chateau Haut-Brion
31Villa Maria
32 Barefoot
33 Chateau d’Yquem
34 Faustino
35 Gallo
36 Chateau Le Pin
37 Lindeman’s
38 O Fournier
39 Chateau Mouton Rothschild
40 Chateau Petrus
41 Undurruga
42 Woodbridge
43 Paul Jaboulet Aine
44 Babich
45 Dr Loosen
46 Wither Hills
47 Oxford Landing
48 Nobilo
49 Black Tower
50 Yellowtail

Spy Valley Envoy Pinot Noir 2009 Marlborough

In this episode of UnScrewed TV I get to taste one of Marlborough’s finest Pinot Noirs. Spy Valley have been making wine in Marlborough since 1993. They own 380 acres of vineyard and produce only 5 wine varieties under their Envoy label.

Envoy represents the best of Spy valley wines with their Pinot Noir being the flagship. Envoy is all about small volume high quality Pinot Noir and this is certainly reflected in the bottle. Watch the video to see what I think of it.