One of the wine success stories in the past couple of decades is New Zealand. New Zealand’s wine makers have penetrated the global wine market with stunning Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir wines, but also with other grape varieties and sparklers.
At the initiative of Pacific Prime Wines, an US importer of family produced New Zealand Wines, winemakers John Forrest from Forrest Estate and Anna Seifried from Seifried Estate were at the Embassy of New Zealand in Washington DC, USA, to present their wines. I got an invitation by Laurent Lala from Elite Wines, a Distributor of Pacific Prime Wines.
The Wines of New Zealand
I used to travel quite a bit to New Zealand, when I was working for the International Monetary Fund and had assignments in the Pacific Ocean region, including in Vanuatu, Fiji Islands and Timor Leste. Also, my daughter Cornelia spent a few years in Brisbane (Australia) doing her Bachelor. Never, however, would my visits exceed a 12 to 24-hour stop-over in Auckland.
My other main contact points with the wines of New Zealand are Weingut Johner in Baden, Germany, and the Tapas Bar and Providores on Marilyboon Highstreet in London.
Weingut Johner in Germany and Johner Estate in New Zealand
Karl-Heinz Johner, the founder of Weingut Johner in Baden, branched out a few years ago and decided to create a second winery, this time in New Zealand. So, when you visit Weingut Johner in Baden for a tasting of their wines, you are inevitably also being poured the wines of Johner Estate in New Zealand. In September 2014, we visited Weingut Johner on the Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014) and tasted the Johner Estate wines from New Zealand along with the Weingut Johner wines from Germany.
See for more:
Weingut Karl-Heinz Johner in Baden: Cellar Tour and Tasting with Karl-Heinz and Patrick Johner – Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)
German Wine Makers in the World: Karl Heinz Johner in New Zealand
The Providores and Tapa Room in London
The Providores and Tapa Room is one of my favorite wine bars in London. If you want to taste New Zealand wines and if you are in London, this is the place to go. I have never seen such a broad and deep selection of excellent wines from New Zealand outside of New Zealand. Naturally, the focus is on Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc.
When my daughter Cornelia got her Ph.D. from the University of London last year, we had dinner at The Providores and Tapa Room, with Framingham wines, to celebrate the achievement.
The Providores and Tapa Room, 109 Maryleborne High Street, London, W1U 4RX
See:
Dinner at The Providores and Tapa Room in London with Framingham Wines, UK/New Zealand
New Zealand Wine El Dorado in London: The Providores and Tapa Room
Wine Country New Zealand
Here is an introduction to the wine country New Zealand, as the wine makers advertise themselves.
New Zealand Wine – Pure Discovery. New Zealand is a land like no other. New Zealand wine is an experience like no other. Our special combination of soil, climate and water, our innovative pioneering spirit and our commitment to quality all come together to deliver pure, intense and diverse experiences. In every glass of New Zealand Wine is a world of pure discovery.
International acclaim. New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is rated throughout the world as the definitive benchmark style for this varietal. The growing recognition for New Zealand Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Méthode Traditionelle sparkling wines, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blends is helping to further cement New Zealand's position as a producer of world class wines.
Diverse styles. New Zealand is a country of contrasts with dense, native forest, snow-capped mountains and spectacular coastline. With wine growing regions spanning the latitudes of 36 to 45 degrees and covering the length of 1000 miles (1,600km), grapes are grown in a vast range of climates and soil types, producing a diverse array of styles. The northern hemisphere equivalent would run from Bordeaux (between the latitudes of 44 and 46 degrees) down to southern Spain.
Temperate maritime climate. New Zealand's temperate, maritime climate has a strong influence on the country's predominantly coastal vineyards. The vines are warmed by strong, clear sunlight during the day and cooled at night by sea breezes. The long, slow ripening period helps to retain the vibrant varietal flavours that make New Zealand wine so distinctive.
Food friendly wines. New Zealand cuisine draws inspiration from the traditional kitchens of France and Italy, as well as the exotic dishes of Asia and the Pacific Rim. Wine styles have evolved to compliment this extensive menu. There are bright and zesty wines such as Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling for fresh and subtly spiced dishes, while complex, mellow Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blends and Pinot Noir offer a timeless marriage with the classical dishes of Europe.
Ensuring the future. New Zealand's small population, distant location and agricultural economy have earned the country a 'clean, green' image. Visitors often describe it as 'an unspoiled paradise'. New Zealand's winemakers and grape growers are determined to keep it this way. Innovative practices in the vineyard and winery which deliver quality in a sustainable and environmental manner, ensure that New Zealand meets a growing world demand for wines that have been produced in a 'clean and green' fashion.
Anna Seifried and the Wines of Seifried Estate in Nelson
The Seifried family has been making wines since 1976. The range includes rich full Chardonnays, fine floral Rieslings, lively herbaceous Sauvignon Blancs, warm plummy Pinot Noirs and when conditions are right, intensely delicious dessert wines.
Sun and blue skies all year round, nearby mountains (often snow capped), lakes, forests and beaches, the most beautiful winemaking region in New Zealand - this is Nelson. Pristine conditions, along with specially selected north facing vineyard sites, offer a range of soils from free draining gravels to heavy alluvial clays and a climate tailor-made for growing richly varietal, elegant wines. Still, frosty winters, long dry summers, cool autumn nights combined with the highest sunshine hours in New Zealand - this is Nelson.
Austrian born Hermann and his New Zealand wife Agnes chose land sloping gently northwards, where the soil is clay and the area is very sheltered. The first 2ha of grapes planted out included 14 different vnifera varieties which were all grafted on to phylloxera-resistant rootstock. 1976 saw the first harvest, with five distinctive varietal wines being made. At that time wine sales were entirely mail order and cellar door. In 1979 a further 16ha was planted in Redwood Valley. Due to the different climate and soils of this vineyard, the grapes in Redwood Valley ripen slightly earlier than in the Moutere Valley, hence spreading the vintage. The establishment of the third vineyard took place in 1988 on stony land in the Rabbit Island/Appleby area.
Today the key varieties grown include Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah. Currently Seifrieds have over 180 hectares of producing vineyards, with a further 5ha too young to yet be bearing fruit. With 35 permanent employees at the winery/vineyard complex and a further 10 involved in the domestic sales and marketing of the wines, Seifrieds is a company with a strong direction on growth.
In 1993 Seifrieds opened their magnificent Vineyard Restaurant and Function Centre located within the Rabbit Island vineyard. Since opening, it has hosted many weddings, seminars and other functions in a serene, rural atmosphere - the perfect ambience for wine and food to be enjoyed together!
In 1996 Seifrieds operations moved from the original Upper Moutere winery to a new winery complex adjacent to the restaurant on the Rabbit Island vineyard. This move highlights the confidence Seifrieds have in the future of both the Nelson and the New Zealand wine industry. Exports are a major focus for Seifrieds, with 40% of turnover now coming from international sales.
Seifried Wines Available through Pacific Prime Wines/ Elite Wines
Seifried Nelson Pinot Gris 2013
Seifried Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Seifried Nelson Riesling 2012
Seifried Nelson Pinot Noir 2013
Old Coach Road Nelson Chardonnay 2014
Old Coach Road Nelson Pinot Gris 2013
Old Coach Road Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Old Coach Road Nelson Pinot Noir 2013
Seifried "Sweet Agnes" Riesling 375ML 2013
Seifried Nelson Gewurztraminer 2012
Seifried Nelson Gruner Veltliner 2013
John Forrest and Forrest Estate
Family owned and operated, Forrest Wines have defined 'Quintessential Marlborough' since 1988. Dr. John and Dr. Brigid Forrest are Forrest wines, applying their farming heritage and scientific background to the craft of winemaking. The result is wines of the highest quality and purity. Dr. John and Dr. Brigid Forrest are Forrest, a small, very much 'hands-on" producer, of premium quality white wine from their home vineyards in Marlborough, whilst in, partnership, they produce the Cornerstone Bordeaux red from their vineyard in the Gimblett Gravels Region of Hawkes Bay and premium Pinot Noir from their vineyards in Bannockburn and Waitaki Valley, Otago.
Leaving behind careers in molecular biology and medicine John and Brigid returned to Marlborough in 1988 to establish their first vineyard at Renwick - at the heart of the stony Wairau River Valley. Vintage 1990 saw the first Forrest wine and immediate success with a trophy at the national wine awards - success that has been repeated many times both nationally and internationally over the subsequent vintages. To the often asked question "why did you do it?" the answer is, a mixture of the wine 'passion' and a desire to achieve and be recognized and rewarded for ones efforts. In hindsight we struck upon a career which suits our personalities - a perfect blend of art and science. Grape growing and winemaking is an exacting science, however it must have the artistic touch to give the wines 'soul'. That individual expression of style is the trademark of our wines - rich aromatic white wine, and powerfully scented reds - all impeccably structured and a joy to drink.
Forrest Estate Wines Available through Pacific Prime Wines/ Elite Wines
Forrest Estate Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012
Forrest Estate "The Doctors" Marlborough Riesling 2012/2013
Forrest Estate Botrytised Riesling 2011
Forrest Estate "The Doctors" Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Forrest Estate "Wairau" Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Forrest Estate "The Doctors" Gruner Veltliner 2011
schiller-wine: Related Postings
4 Wine Tours by ombiasy coming up in 2015: Germany-East, Germany-South. Germany-Nord and Bordeaux
Weingut Karl-Heinz Johner in Baden: Cellar Tour and Tasting with Karl-Heinz and Patrick Johner – Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)
Wines and Winemakers from Australia and New Zealand at the 2nd International Riesling Symposium, Rheingau, Germany
New Zealand Pinot Flight– Maude of Central Otago, New Zealand, with Winemaker and Owner Dan Dineen
New World Wine Country: New Zealand - Facing the Fate of Australia?
German Wine Makers in the World: Karl Heinz Johner in New Zealand
New Classification of New Zealand Pinot Noirs
Dinner at The Providores and Tapa Room in London with Framingham Wines, UK/New Zealand
New Zealand Wine El Dorado in London: The Providores and Tapa Room
Bordeaux Winemaker and Owner Marc Pasquet - Château Mondésir-Gazin - at Del Ray Café in Alexandria, Virginia, USA