News... latest post 17 March 2012
Quiet achiever, Tiki
Wines
A tasting at Mollies in Auckland on Tuesday 28 February 2012 saw a trio of high achieving names - winemaker
Evan Ward, viticultural consultant David Jordan and winemaker Christopher Keys (absent on the day but very much present on the lips of the others) show outstanding wines from Tiki Wines; a relatively new label sourcing grapes from the South Island.
Owners Sue and Royce are South Island based too but defer to the experts to make the styles of wine they want to create; hence Central Otago Pinot Noir made with fruit from Denis Marshall’s
Hawkshead Vineyard – now that’s a more interesting story since Marshall is a
former National MP and is also Sue’s father.
The 2011
Tiki Single Vineyard Pinot Gris $24.99, 2011
Tiki Single Vineyard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc $24.99 and 2011
Tiki Single Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir $35 all proved interesting, if very youthful, on the day.
Winemaker
Evan Ward consults to Tiki; he lives in Hawke’s Bay but moves temporarily each year to
Marlborough during vintage.
The aim of Tiki Wines, stylistically: “To maximise fruit expression; that for me has been helped in no small way by vineyard site
selection,” Ward says.
Of the 2012
vintage:
“We
are looking at a cool year, however, it’s not going to be as cool as the year
that Pinatubo erupted – thank god,” says Ward.
Sam Neill opens Pinot Noir NZ 2013 - posted Monday 5 March 2012
“Sam was our first choice and we’re tickled pink because he’ll set the tone of “serious fun” over the four day event.”
“The quality of Two Paddocks wine and his attachment to it, make Sam an optimistic man. He is inclined to see the glass in his right hand as never half empty, by the simple expedient of ensuring his left hand always holds a full bottle,” says Alastair.
Pinot Noir NZ 2013 is the fifth such wine event and it has been called “one of the world’s most impressive wine events”.
Registrations for Pinot Noir NZ 2013 are now open.
Speakers already confirmed include Jasper Morris MW, Matt Kramer, Lisa Perotti Brown MW and Australia’s Mike Bennie.
The first Pinot Noir Event was held in 2001. It was set up by a group of dedicated Pinot Noir producers (under the chairmanship of Richard Riddiford of Palliser Estate) to explore and celebrate the grape in New Zealand.
Ruth Pretty Catering has always pulled together a culinary programme including the very best Wellington restaurants using New Zealand’s finest produce.
CEO Philip Gregan says Pinot Noir NZ is a springboard for overseas visitors to experience the whole of the New Zealand wine story as they often continue their New Zealand trip to absorb other regions and grape varieties.
Media Release Pinot Noir 2013 - posted 8 February 2012
In a year’s time the Wellington
waterfront will be awash with New Zealand’s best Pinot Noirs, the
world’s leading wine media and wine lovers and traders, makers and
viticulturists.
It is Pinot Noir NZ 2013 – New
Zealand’s premier wine event. It starts 28 of January
and wraps up on the 31.
This is the fifth
Pinot Noir NZ event – it started in 2001 when some kiwi Pinot
producers decided to invite the wine world to Wellington to see why
our Pinot Noir is so extraordinary.
“We believe New Zealand is the “go
to” destination for New World Pinot and this time we are drilling
down into regionality. We will celebrate the different regions and
styles,” says Pinot Noir 2013 chair Alastair Maling MW.
Each Pinot region –
Wairarapa/Martinborough, Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury/Waipara, and
Central Otago – will be given a chance to educate, beguile,
convince and entertain. Each day delegates will join a different
region so everyone has a chance to talk to the winemakers, ask the
awkward questions without feeling overwhelmed, and taste the wines of
that region.
Pinot Noir NZ 2013 will be relaxed and
intimate.
“This event is about debate – the
wine world has a few sacred cows and we plan to dissect them - expose
the myths and confirm the truths. Previous events have been more
formal and we are now comfortable pulling on the gumboots and having
a chat”
Keynote speakers include the UK’s
burgundy expert – Jasper Morris MW, Matt Kramer from the United
States will bring his acerbic wit and intelligence to the event,
along with French viticulturist Emmanuel Bourguignon and Australia’s
laconic Mike Bennie.
“Right now each of the Pinot Regions
is planning their presentations – no doubt with a hint of
competitive edge. The culinary programme is once again being
co-ordinated by Ruth Pretty Catering and will focus on the best, the
freshest and the wildest of kiwi foods to tease our guest’s
palates. While this event is about Pinot Noir we see it as four days
of Kiwi excellence and we want our guests to leave excited to
return.”
“Ultimately we want to see New
Zealand Pinot Noir on every great wine list, in every little bistro
and in every cellar. We know it is a big task but we are well on the
way and the stunning 2010 vintage will be the star of the show.”
For more information
Morag Fryer
morag@vinetowine.co.nz
Mobile: + 64 27 279 8372
