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Some of the most interesting wines coming out of the New World are from the stunningly beautiful and geologically diverse New Zealand.
New Zealand is one of the world’s pioneers in sustainability in the wine industry, and recently New Zealand’s Ministry of Primary Industries is conducting research for a project set to position New Zealand as the world’s leading producer of high quality, lower alcohol wines. Sustainability for the environment and our livers then, not bad for wines which can show some of the most beloved characteristics of our favourite wines from the Old World; freshness, purity, minerality and elegance.
Goedhuis already represents one of the top producers of the region, Mud House. In search of treasure from New Zealand, I ventured out to the annual NZ tasting at Livery Hall this week. Here is what I found…
Craggy Range
Craggy Range Te Muna Road Sauvignon Blanc Martinborough 2013
Alc. 13.1% Vol., RS 1.9 g/L
More tropical on the nose than the Avery. On the palate it has cool, stone fruit and a lively acidity. Minerality comes through at the finish.
Craggy Range Avery Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2013
Alc. 13.5% Vol., RS 2 g/L
Lime zest on the nose, the palate shows gooseberry fruit, linear acidity. Very fresh, zesty.
Craggy Range ‘Aroha’ Pinot Noir Marlborough 2011
alc. 13.5% Vol., rs 0 g/l
Smoky and spicy on the nose, leading to a balanced structure, where the acidity appears hidden though holds all the elements in place well. Dark, wild berry and some spice with a lifting freshness at the finish.
Lawson’s Dry Hills Wines
Mount Vernon Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2013
alc. 13.0% Vol., rs 3.0 g/l
8% of Semillon. The assemblage adds complexity and does not deter from the freshness of the Sauvignon in the blend. The wine is round and has some weight but remains fresh and grassy. Mineral, with good length. Unusual but nicely executed.
Lawson’s Dry Hills The Pioneer Pinot Noir Marlborough 2010
alc. 13.5% Vol., rs 0.0 g/l
Definitively New World in style, woody on the nose, intense red fruit.
And from the Sauvignon table:
The Mud House 2012 Sauvignon Blanc showed beautifully.
This wine also really stood out from the crowd:
Rippon Sauvignon Blanc Central Otago 2012
Refined, pure fruit. Very long. Elegant.
We welcome votes, comments, emails, tweets, smoke signals regarding your favourite New Zealand wines for the Goedhuis collection.