upfront
show off This year’s restaurant and bar show kicks off on 19 August in Auckland
Oh how… Kapiti’s new wines treat your customers to a new flavour explosion from ‘ohau Wines’ in A country whose wineries are as new as its licensed restaurants, the Kapiti coast might not spring to mind as the first place to plant grapes, but thanks to grape grower Kate gibbs, it is home to ohau vineyard. this year’s harvest looks like it’s a bumper one. this news comes on the heels of a disastrously small vintage in many quarters of new Zealand this year, though quality is said to be universally high from winemakers in 2012. this year is the fourth for ohau winery in Kapiti; an hour’s drive north of Wellington on the west coast. the ohau area was discovered by gibbs, who describes the river terrace soils as similar to some marlborough vineyards and the climate as similar to nelson’s. the area has relatively little frost risk and low rainfall during veraison; the critical ripening time in autumn each year. veraison is when grapes experience their highest rise in sugar; drop in acids and alignment of flavours, pre-picking. “During this year’s ripening period our vineyards have enjoyed lovely clear days with cool nights which has assisted the flavour development of the grapes”, says gibbs. she says the 2012 grapes she has harvested are the best she has seen in the region since 2009. this year the winery will also grow production from 14,000 cases last year (2011) to 33,000 cases. the wines are made by Wairarapa winemaker Jane cooper at matahiwi estate, east of masterton. until now ohau Wines have been mostly sent to china but 2012 will see more available for new Zealand. they make a worthy and quirky addition to restaurant and bar wine lists. the ohau range includes: 2010 ohau gravels sauvignon Blanc 2010; 2010 ohau gravels Pinot gris (which received a golden Bottle award in china, in 2011) and also a trio of excellent ohau ‘Woven stone’ wines: the 2011 ohau Woven stone Pinot noir, 2011 ohau Woven stone sauvignon Blanc and 2011 ohau Woven stone Pinot gris.
STOCK OHAU GRAVELS ON YOUR WINE LIST… To stock Ohau Gravels wines, contact Davie Munro, CEO, Ohau Wines, phone (04) 917 0001, email: cellar@ohaugravels.co.nz, www.ohaugravels.co.nz 16 www.drinksbiz.co.nz june / july 2012
the restauraNt & Bar Show of New Zealand is the annual gathering of those working in the hospitality industry in New Zealand and this year’s event is organized by the same team which stages the Taste of Auckland festival. Organisers anticipate they will attract over 4,500 people from the restaurant and drinks trade for this year’s Restaurant & Bar Show, to be held in Auckland from 19 to 29 August. Here are the highlights. Cocktails - The R&B Bar Masters sponsored by Monin is back and this year the first prize for the Monin Cup is a trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to participate in the international semi-finals, which includes a tour to the Monin factory, a chance to sample bars in Kuala Lumpur and compete with other semifinalists. Those who qualify in the semi final will go on to compete at the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris for the supreme title. Beer – The Stella Artois Draught Masters Final will take place at the Restaurant & Bar Show following the regional heats taking place around the country. International guest this year is George Reisch from Missouri. A fifth generation brew master, Reisch is also past president (2008-2009) of the Master Brewers’ Association of the Americas (MBAA). He is a tasting judge at the World Beer Cup, Brewing Industry International Awards and the Great American Beer Festival. Wine - Lion Nathan, Red & White, Macvine International, Bespoke Wine Company, Co Pilot plus individual wineries including Sacred Hill, Yealands, Lone Goat and Gibson Bridge will also show at this year’s event. Seminars – a ‘Bar business’ seminar will see industry experts share their knowledge, skills and tastings tips. The 20th Annual NZ Culinary Fare sees around 1,000 people compete for the Bartender of the Year competition. Entry is free for those working in the industry who register online before 15 August. www.randbshow.co.nz