Article on NZ pinot and syrah

My hard earned reputation as a streetfighter has stretched across the Tasman!!!! ;-)

Be afraid - be very afraid!!!!!

Marcello, provided you can tell me that you were not one of those or the tiresome attending the Melbourne games yelling "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie Oi,Oi,Oi" I can forgive you anything - besides, no-one ever has to apologise for honestly held opinions presented with reasoned arguments.

Your comments are generally succinct and accurate.

Like Australia where we are not encombered by inflexible appelation styled rules; there is still plenty of experimenting going on both in the vineyard and winery.

There are several wineries doing varieties like Montepulciano, and Tempranillo and Sangiovese and Mouvedre - together with Viognier and Verdelho and (I eagerly await) Grüner Veltliner - albeit in most cases very small areas planted, and more often than not, the wines are not in mainstream distribution as yet.

Framingham (Marlborough); Herzog (Marlborough) and Trinity Hill (Hawkes Bay) have all released Montepulciano over the past five years or so, but I doubt that you will find any in Australia.

For many years (20 or more), my buying patterns have revolved around "NZ whites and Australian reds" - and generally, for everyday drinking this remains my rule of thumb.

I would suggest, if you can, to experience the difference between North Island (Hawkes Bay - Martinborough) and South Island (Marlborough, Canterbury, Central Otago) Sauvignon Blanc.

Whereas I love the zingy Marlborough expressions of this grape, there are different tropical elements to those from Te Mata Wines (Cape Crest) or Palliser Estate (Martinborough)

There are some excellent examples of both Riesling and Gewurztraminer produced over this side of "the ditch"

Pegasus Bay "Aria" is a revelation (their 2002 is probably the best NZ Riesling I have tried.

There are numerous Gewurztraminers made in a variety of styles from bone dry to late harvest - some quite austere right through to the luscious and floral.

Stonecroft (Hawkes Bay); Dry River (Martinborough) are IMNSO the very best - but you will have to steal these as they sell out ex winery upon release.

Gewurz is a hard sell at retail (hey, if I cannot pronouce it, I won't buy it!!)

The run of the mill stuff remains green and stalky to me - the very best is a joy - regardless, you will have to get the good stuff on this side of the ditch.

If you perchance happen to see Te Mata "Coleraine" - try it - this is benchmark NZ Merlot Cabernet.

For me, NZ still has a ways to go with Pinot Noir (give us another 100 years!) - our Syrah is totally different to Australian Shiraz so any comparison is unfair (on both protagonists).

Agaihn, a variety of styles from Côte-Rotie-like spicy, gamy complexity to the more lustrous polished style.

Best ones are the Vidal Estate "Soler"; Te Mata "Bullnose" and TRinity Hill (Homage) all out of Hawkes Bay.

As to your comments Australian Cool Climate - bah humbug!!!!!

We count our days over 30degrC on one hand - that is cool climate!!!!

--

st.helier