Kiwi Corkers
Mairead Robinson checks out what’s hot and happening in the New Zealand wine world.
For some years now New Zealand has been among our favourite New World wine producers, and while the wines are not cheap, their quality is renowned. They have had particular success with Sauvignon Blanc and in the Marlborough region which is now New Zealand’s biggest vineyard area although the first vines only went in to the ground there in 1973.
While New Zealand is overwhelmingly a white-wine producer, with great Sauvignon Blanc, peachy Chardonnays, zingy Riesling and mild-mannered Gewurztraminer , they also produce some exceptional Pinot Noir. For many who generally go for white wine rather than a more full-bodied red, the light spicy tones of a New Zealand Pinot Noir will be the red that converts them. Delicious with both meat and fish – this is a great food wine – a glass of Pinot Noir can also be enjoyed on its own. While it has the reputation of being a difficult wine to cultivate, it is a very easy wine to drink!
Some years ago I visited this country and travelled to quite a few wineries both in the North Island, particularly Martinborough, and South Island around Marlborough and Nelson. I stayed at Lawson’s Dry Hills with Ross and Barbara Lawson who were at the forefront of the Screwcap revolution with Stelvin closures rapidly replacing traditional cork for top quality wines. It was started by Barbara and the late Ross Lawson in 1992. The winery has evolved over that time. At first they were using outside facilities to make their wines but now they are fully in charge and totally autonomous with their own vineyards, winery, harvesting equipment, bottling plant, and warehouse. The warehouse of 600 sq meters has just been completed. All this development was achieved over the years by reinvesting in the company. Very important to Lawson’s is quality and this investment over the years has ensured that they are finally in charge of their own quality control. Their grapes come 50% from own vineyards and 50% from growers who have been supplying Lawson’s since the beginning and who fully adhere with Lawson’s quality standards.
Marlborough's Wairau valley lies east to west and enjoys a cool maritime climate, with wonderful long clear sunny days, which are especially evident during the autumn ripening period. Lawson’s vineyards are to the east of the Marlborough region. These long, hot, sunny days are balanced by cool nights, lengthening the ripening process and in turn intensifying the flavours in the grapes and the subsequent wines.
It is the large difference in the diurnal temperatures that is believed to make Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc unlike any other in the world.
Since Ross and Barbara first arrived in Ireland with a couple of cases of wine in the mid 1990s, Lawson’s Dry Hills became known the length and breadth of Ireland as the couple annually spent their holidays travelling all over the country, introducing themselves and their lovely wines to loyal customers and winning many friends.
Lawson’s have, over the years, extended their range of wines from the original Gewürztraminer to include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir and the full range is available in a lot of restaurants and in leading off-licences around Ireland.
Another great New Zealand wine success story is that of wine industry leader, Montana, renowned as the pioneer of New Zealand’s flagship varietal Sauvignon Blanc, which has recently undergone a name change and is now newly named, Brancott Estate.
The Brancott Vineyard, home of Montana, was the site of the first commercial Sauvignon Blanc plantings in 1975 and placed New Zealand wines on the global stage with its attractive wine style. The new name takes the wine brand back to its roots where it all began for Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and the New Zealand wine industry as we know it today.
The Brancott Vineyard, home of Montana, was the site of the first commercial Sauvignon Blanc plantings in 1975 and placed New Zealand wines on the global stage with its attractive wine style. The new name takes the wine brand back to its roots where it all began for Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and the New Zealand wine industry as we know it today.
While New Zealand wines are certainly not cheap, their quality and distinct characteristics place them firmly on the world wine map. Their wine industry is a quality driven niche player in the global market. Within a relatively short time, NZ wines have acquired a reputation that is the envy of much larger wine producing countries. International critics rate NZ Sauv Blanc as the world’s best and the growing acclaim for NZ Chardonnay, Cabernet Merlot blends and Pinot Noir is helping to further secure New Zealand’s position as a producer of premium wines.
So, where does the future lie for this ‘Kiwi’ wine industry? The country’s small population, distant location and agricultural economy has earned the country a ‘clean, green’ image. Their winemakers are determined to keep it this way through the Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand Programme which was established in 1995.
So if you are not already familiar with this little country’s great wines, it is time you checked them out next time you visit your wine shop or supermarket. You will be pleasantly surprised!
Copyright ©2012, Senior Times.
