The Crème Of New Zealand Wine

The New Zealand Winegrowers Group recently showcased their respective wineries' 2005 new release wines.

What follows here is the best of the best that was shown off by the various wineries from across New Zealand being new releases of wine that have just or are about to hit the Australian market.

Wine And Food Matching

This tasting was a "Perfect Pairs' event which meant the opportunity was had to match the wines with food by way of specially and superbly created entrees, so that the two could complement each other and the wine could be assessed in a more typical setting.

The main varietals on show included Riesling ranging from the 2002 to 2005 vintages, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnays from 2004 and 2005 vintages and Pinot Noir from 2003 to 2004 vintages as well as a sprinkling of Sparkling Wine, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc/ Semillon and Gewurztraminer and Dessert wine.


Vintage 2005 NZ Wine

The 2005 vintage in New Zealand was the second largest ever for the NZ wine industry producing about 102 million litres of wine. Yields were 14% less than the majestic 2004 vintage. Production in the Marlborough represented well over half of the whole vintage, which coupled with the Gisborne and the Hawke's Bay regions made up a total of nearly 95% of the whole NZ vintage.

Varietal production throughout New Zealand remained the same with Sauvignon Blanc dominating and Chardonnay following with Pinot Noir running third but interestingly the latter, Pinot Noir suffered a staggering 28% production fall.

The New Zealanders have mastered the art of "doing what you do well excellently" as evidenced by the high quality of the varietals they have specialised in - namely Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Overall Impresssions

The Sauvignon Blanc wines from the 2005 vintage were exceptional with gorgeous fresh complex aromas, lively fruit driven flavours and balance between fruit and acid structure making them quite effortless to drink in their youth and good pairings with food. The Chardonnay from the 2003 vintages were bigger more fruit driven classic examples than their 2004 counterparts that were more refined, elegant and minerally. The full flavoured richer styles were harder to match with food especially given the oak treatment of some. The more subtle citrus flavours of the Chardonnay with good acid backbone were a better food wine and also quite drinkable on their own. The Pinot Noir surprised with the intensity of the varietal fruit characters, the complexity of the aromas and the smooth well roundedness of the mouthfeel most displayed, again quite easily paired with food.


Top Shelf Wines

The following wines are some of the crème della crème of the new release wines based on my recent tasting assessment.

Riesling

Vynfields Riesling 2004 - $30 - clear -pale straw - lightly tropical - touch botrytis - luscious - fresh, crisp - persistent fruit - extended length - intricate - soft acid - 2/3 years - scallop ceviche with orange tomato salsa - www.vynfields.com


Pinot Gris

Nautilus Estate Marlborough Pinot Gris 2005 - $31 - pale straw - orange blossom, floral, musk, pear and apricot - aromatic - luscious - elegant - distinct fruit - varietal - smooth - refined - nutty - grilled chicken satay with tomato jus - 2/3 years


Sauvignon Blanc

Johanneshof Cellars Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2004 - $35 - brilliant - water white - asparagus, capsicum, lantana- complex - vibrant - elegant - fresh, crisp, lively - concentrated fruit - soft and young - extended length - chicken liver pate` - 1/2 years

Pegasus Bay Sauvignon Semillon 2004 - $32- pale straw - complex - vibrant - canned asparagus, capsicum, gooseberry, green apple, spicy - fresh and lively - distinct and deep fruit - subtle oak - asparagus wrapped in prosciutto - 2/3 years - www.pegasusbay.com

Seresin Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2005 - $24 - pale yellow, green tinges - cut grass, passion fruit, tropical fruit salad, apple, gooseberry - classy - refreshing - concentrated fruit - varietal - lean bodied, extended length - intricate - tuna sushi rolls with pickled ginger - 1/2 years - www.seresin.co.nz

Jackson Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2005 - $25 - water white - asparagus, tropical fruit, minerally and gooseberry - complex, classy, tight and elegant - crisp and lively - delicate fruit - pure, silky, soft - extended length - intricate - smoked salmon on pea blinis- 1 /2 years. - www.jacksonestate.co.nz

Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2005- $29 - pale yellow - zesty, passion fruit and tropical fruit - pleasant - vibrant - lively, soft - delicate and persistent - pure - smooth - young - extended length - 1/2 years -asparagus wrapped in prosciutto - www.saintclair.co.nz

Matua Valley Paretas Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2005 - $27 - water white - zesty, gooseberry, passionfruit, tropical fruit and gooseberry - complex, classy an luscious - spicy - fresh and crisp - good acid backbone - long aftertaste - 2 / 3 years - scallop ceviche - www.matua.co.nz


Chardonnay

Matua Valley Ararimu Gisborne Chardonnay 2003 - $40 - pale yellow - powerful, big, classy - vibrant, intense - complex - concentrated - robust - medium dry - extended length - vanilla creamy oak - peach melon, tropical fruits, swirl of butterscotch - nutty - prawn and leek quiche- 2-3 years.

Cable Bay Waikeke Island Chardonnay 2004 - $35- water white, pale straw - luscious, gorgeous and vibrant - burgundian, minerally, flinty, citrus , peach and melon, long complex finish , leaner and higher acid - lively and soft - intricate - mushroom risotto balls - 3 plus years - www.cablebayvineyards.co.nz

Muddy Water Waipara Chardonnay 2004 - $35 - pale yellow - quite complex, classy - vibrant - burgundian, minerally -lees characters - elegant - extended length - intricate and refined - prawn and leek quiche - 3/5 years. - www.muddywater.co.nz

Carrick Central Otago Chardonnay 2004 - $33 - pale yellow - complex - vibrant - minerally, peach, whiff of nuts, good alcohol - distinct and deep fruit - fuller and softer- mushroom risotto balls - 3-5 years - www.carrick.co.nz


Pinot Noir

Muddy Water Pinot Noir 2003 - $50 - ruby salmon -cranberry, strawberry, cherry and plum- complex - earthy - spicy and smoky - persistent - distinct and deep fruit - silky - well rounded - extended length - intricate complexity - Peking duck gyoza - 3/ 4 years - www.muddywater.co.nz

Terravin Marlborough Pinot Noir 2004 - $46 - purple crimson - raspberry, cherry and gamey - classy, luscious - spicy and tannic - marked persistent deep fruit - smooth and silky , velvety and well rounded - extended length - long aftertaste - Peking duck gyoza - 5 years -

Mt Difficulty Pinot Noir 2004 - $50 - cherry ripe red- sappy raspberry, cherry, gamey, forest floor and truffles - earthy vibrancy spicy and smoky - persistent deep fruit - smooth and silky - velvety and well rounded - refined - subtle oak - mushroom risotto balls - 2/ 3 years - www.mtdifficulty.co.nz

For more information, go to www.nzwine.com

Paul Ippolito is a Sydney wine writer who writes for publications across 4 states of Australia, the Internet as well as writing his own free monthly wine newsletter for wine consumers. Email him at Paul_Ippolito@hotmail.com

*The legal age for alcohol in Australia is 18*

Photo by Kelsey Chance on Unsplash