Beachcombers

The wineries are starting to release this years Savvy and it's going to be something special!!!!!!

Growing conditions last year, has meant a smaller than expected harvest, so quantities are down. However, the flip side has meant the the vines have been able to concentrate all their energy into the smaller amount of grapes. The resulting wine, has been the best in over a decade.

Have tried the following so far

Mount Riley
Drylands (Nobilo's)
Montana Marlborough Savvy (Stoneleigh early next year, can't wait!)
Hunters

Mount Riley, I think is the only only widely available at the moment.

Also lots of 2006 Savvy is on special now (at least in my supermarkets) as stock is being dumped to make way for this years brew!

teambwr47

Does it still make you fall over when you drink it in great quantities.....

If so then bring it on

jill1420

A quick question. Does a 'good' wine (medium glass) have more alcohol content than a normal gin and tonic? I and many of my friends seem to be able to drink copious amounts of spirits to no avail and after 3 large wines we are

P2L

Hello did someone mention Savvy??

I've tried the Mount Riley, not bad
Haven't seen any more yet though! Have you been buying from 'you know where' or Cellar Doors??

I went to the Festival of Wheels on Sunday and a bottle of Kathy Lynskey went for 3 figures in the auction, and NO it wasn't me!! I wasn't allowed to bid, we might have had a very full 'cellar' now if I had, cos I wanted them all.

andy480

So in genaral what is the kiwi wines like? cost per bottle?

I am a bit partial to a nice grenache or zinfadel

Beachcombers

Hi Sarah

Sorry, but I got access to secret stashes of the stuff (I get to taste it straight from the tank), almost everything is being exported at the moment.

But Vavasour have got their Savvy at the cellar door (if you ask very nicely, as it is still pre release).

But expect to see heaps of the stuff on the shelves by Oct (Springlands will have a excellent selection).

P2L

In these parts you can pay from $8 upwards for a bottle of wine. I generally buy around the $15 mark which generally get you what is local on special at the supermarket, such as St Clare (my fave at the mo), Mount Riley, Montana, Villa Maria, Hunters, Drylands or another one that I can't remember.

Our kids have got friends at school whose parents own/manage vineyards & my DH is just about to start a refurb on a local winery
too. You think we would be overflowing with the stuff, but no

Beachcombers

Grenache and Zinfadel are warmer climate grapes and Australia produce excellent examples.

New Zealand has a very small, but highly regarded wine industry, 75% of export is Sauvignon Blanc, a aromatic white wine, originally from France Which the kiwi's have created into a unique style that the rest of the world can't get enough of.

Because of NZ's climate, it is more suited to cooler climate grapes, esp the South Island. White varieties like Riesling, Pino Gris (my favorite), Gewurztraminer and of course Savingion Blanc are referred to as "aromatic wines", due to the distinct flora and fruit aromas assocatied with them. The wines produced, typically have high alcholo content, acidity, coupled with stone fruit like flavours. Most are meant to drunk young.

Price points are subjective, but a general rule of thumb $10 and less - plonk, $15-20 hunt around some real gems (Clayridge Pino Gris!), $20 - can't really go wrong.

The north island, with its warmer climate produces some good full body reds and chardonnays.

NZ is a tiny player on the global market producing 0.2% of the world output just to put things in perspective. But they have done the right thing, by focusing on the premium market.

The best thing about NZ wine, is trying all the new varieties!

teambwr47

Just out of interest....in terms of our own preference its been NZ SvB's or Chdys' for a while but we also have quite a liking for Chilean wines and just wondered if thats in relation to the growing conditions for the grape?

Beachcombers

Yup, spot on. Parts of Chile, has climate and UV conditions very similar to NZ.

Chile is developing sauvignon blanc in a Marlborough style, there are many Chilean winemakers here during vintage and they have taken taken that knowledge with them.

The wine industry here, is sensibly diversifying, aware that they are exposed with reliance to one particular variety. Viognier, is a new variety being planted in quanity now.........

P2L

2007 Villa Maria Marlborough Sauvingnon Blanc is avaialble for $12.99 in our local supermarket. Quite often you pay in $ here what you would pay in £ in the UK

http://www.waitrosewine.com/Browse+A...oductType.aspx

rabsody

OMG, I thought it was just me! I've had to stop drinking wine regularly because of the level of inebriation in a ridiculously short space of time and the ensuing hangovers! Though worked in wine industry 'til about six months ago and would thoroughly recommend it! ;-)

My personal prefs are:

Shaw & Smith Sauv Blanc (Adelaide Hills) - this is the creme de la creme of sauvs in my book
Catalina Sounds Sauv Blanc (Marlborough)
Oyster Bay Sauv Blanc (Marlborough) is not a bad drop either.

P2L

Strange but true....

I don't seem to suffer with a hangover when I drink wine here, not sure why though

littleal

We were surprised how lovely the Riesling was. Not like that horrible German sweet stuff. I haven't noticed NZ Riesling in Tesco.

Alison

Beachcombers

Riseling! Right yum! Many of us will remember "Blue Nun" *shudder*, a disgusting sickly sweet concoction conjured up by the Germans as revenge for the war.

Here in NZ, produced in a French style, it is a million miles away from what you may be used to. Made in a dry or off-dry (medium) style, high in alcohol, can have some racy acidity. Stonefruit like flavours and aromas, reminds me of peaches/apricots.

Pino Gris - Is a strange little grape, a mutated white variant of Pino Noir - the great red grape of Burgundy. But it produces my favorite style of wine. Similar to Riseling, but for me, reminds me of pears and butterscotch (yes, I know I am talking wine bollocks). Often made with a bit of "skin contact" can come in a slightly pinky blush or onion skin type colour.

Both make for excellent summer drinking wines, matches up well with food.

If anyone is wanting a recommendation, please try the following

Riesling - Drylands, Allan Scotts, Stoneleigh

Pino Gris - Stoneleigh and my absolute favorite NZ wine of all time - Clayridge Pino Gris ($17-20 a bottle)

http://www.clayridge.net.nz/the-wines.html

Any other recommendations gratefully received!