See below for what happened.........

The Wines of New Zealand

As our first tasting of the new decade we will be visiting New Zealand and tasting their wines.  New Zealand is well known for its Sauvignon Blanc wines, which will be well represented here, but in addition we will also be sampling Pinot Noirs and a Bordeaux Blend from a variety of viticultural regions of New Zealand.

 An assortment of cheese and breads will accompany the tasting and coffee and sweets will be served immediately following the tasting.   Attendees should bring several wine glasses to compare adjacent wines for quality levels. No smoking or strong fragrances, please. 

Attendees recognize they will consume alcohol and assume responsibility of having done so.

Attendance will be limited to the first 36

Members  $26.00            Guests   $30.00

What Happened.........

This tasting was organized by Bob Bienchi and Rosemary Lauder and Carl and Ruby Dollhopf. 

Bob introduced tasting and presented the wine list.  They had tasted 20 wines in selecting the best and most interesting.   Obtaining a wide variety of New Zealand wines was more difficult than expected, requiring shipment and out of state travel in order to find those that were of the better quality, yet reasonably priced.

                Kim Crawford  Sauvignon Blanc  2008

                Brancott “B”  Sauvignon Blanc   2008

                Greenhough  Sauvignon Blanc    2008

                Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc   2007

                Saint Clair Pinot Noir  2006

                Coopers Creek Pinot Noir  2007

                Villa Maria  Merlot, Cabernat Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc  2006

Carl presented much information on the terroir and climate.  Mid New Zealand is at an equivalent latitude to the southern lower peninsula of Michigan and the most southern part of New Zealand is equivalent to the upper peninsula.   This implies a great difference in harvesting.  Despite being moderated by the ocean, harvest time ranges from February in the North to April in the south.  The land is mountainous in many areas, with vineyards in alluvial valleys. The soil is rocky with limestone and volcanic properties.   The ocean provides cool nights.

New Zealand wines are characteristically aromatic and those selected were no exception.  As there appear to be no unusual cellar methodology, and much use of stainless steel, it would seem to be the growing conditions and the resulting high quality grapes that distinguish the New Zealand wines.

The white wines, selected to be from different areas, were all delicious.  A hand vote did not show a winner or a loser.  Prices ranged from $13 for the Kim Crawford to $21 for the Brancott “B” higher level wine.  All had the great aromatic New Zealand character.

The Pinot Noir’s were very similar in taste and character.  New Zealand’s are a bit distinctive from other regions and a good value.   The prices were $14 for Coopers Creek and $16 for Saint Clair. 

The Bordeaux style blend for the Villa Maria red was 86% Merlot, 10% Cab and 4% Cab Franc, a good wine for $14.  As with the whites, the reds had good aroma.

The wines were served with breads and cheeses, Irish Dubliner Cheddar, Manchego and Brie.

Thanks to our organizers, we gained a very good appreciation of New Zealand wines.  It was particularly good to learn about the reds and to find the consistent high quality in the very highly regarded sauvignon blancs.  

The tasting closed with cookies and coffee.  The link below tells more about the New Zealand wines.

http://www.winesofnz.com/nelson.aspx