Worldof Wine CAMERON DOUGLAS MS
VOLUME 2 WINTER 2019
IT'S A MATCH
CELLAR SECRETS
Food and wine pairs to love
Backstage at the vineyard PLUS finding your favourite drop
O U T
J U LY
2 0 2 1
WINE LABEL LANGUAGE EXPLAINED
Reds on the Rise
THE WINTER ISSUE OF
Liquid Gold
GROWING GRAPES ON FORMER GOLD-MINING CLAIMS HAS HELPED PRODUCE SOME 24-KARAT WINES FROM DOMAIN ROAD VINEYARD
18 WORLD OF WINE – SUMMER 2019/20
Dry River Craighall Tempranillo 2016, RRP $65
Coopers Creek The Little Rascal SV Gisborne Arneis, RRP $21.99
NEW ZEALAND’S LEADING CONSUMER
Leftfield Gisborne Albariño, RRP $17.99 Waimea Estates Grüner Veltliner 2018, RRP $29.99
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WINE MAGAZINE IN COLLABORATION WITH MASTER SOMMELIER
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Wine
CAMERON DOUGLAS
Tour
SIP YOUR WAY FROM ONE END OF THE COUNTRY TO THE OTHER VIA THIS NATIONWIDE GUIDE TO OUR FINEST DROPS
TRUE NORTH Northland remains a small yet important region with a handful of wineries continuing the story of viticulture and wine. Marsden Estate has shown its value to the New Zealand wine industry overall with value and consistently well-made wine. Ake Ake, Paroa Bay and The Landing produce wines with warmth and generosity, representing the region’s dedication to the production of fine wine from Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Syrah. The Auckland wine region reaches as far north as Matakana, south to Clevedon and across the water to Waiheke Island – it’s a key centre for fine wine production. The region supports many varieties – from Bordeaux-style red blends and Syrah on Waiheke Island to Pinot Gris from Matakana. Brick Bay, Cable Bay, Tantalus Estate, Mudbrick, Stonyridge, Man O’ War and Puriri Hills are among many quality producers. World class Chardonnay from Kumeu River and the third most recognised winery brand on the planet Villa Maria (based at Ihumãtao in Mangere) are two cellar door and wine tasting experiences that should not be missed. The Waikato and Bay of Plenty form a single wine region. Once well known for its aromatic wine production, it is now home to only two estates. Gisborne’s own wine story began in the 1800s with early settlers producing wine
for their own consumption, and by the 1920s it was well into significant volumes for commercial sales. Gisborne is home to the Millton family – James and Annie are pioneers in biodynamic viticulture practices and unquestionably set a benchmark in this important method. A few of my favourite wines from producers in the region include Tohu, Toi Toi, Odyssey Wines, Huntaway, Spade Oak, Coopers Creek, Matawhero and Millton Vineyards. Hawke’s Bay is a beautiful place to visit – with warm summers, mild winters and a stunning landscape. It contains a range of different soil types, from free-draining river stone soils to red metals and limestone,
which ensures Hawke’s Bay is able to ripen a wide variety of grape types and make some excellent wines. Many notable producers are situated here – examples include Elephant Hill, Clearview Estate, Bilancia, Te Mata Estate and Pask with their Syrah stories; great Cabernet-led blends and Chardonnay from Villa Maria, Sacred Hill, Esk Valley, Craggy Range and Te Awa Estates. Be sure to look out for some great wines from Radburnd Cellars too. North east of Wellington is the Wairarapa, where the important sub-regions of Gladstone, Masterton and Martinborough are located. Every producer in the region seems to have a fascinating story underpinning their Ostler, Waitaki Valley, North Otago
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TASTING NOTES SAUVIGNON BLANC
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Summerhouse Sauvignon Blanc 2019 Marlborough
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Classically styled Marlborough SB with flavours of passion fruit and white peach, lemongrass, wet stone and white flavours. Juicy and flashy texture with a core of fruit and contrasting acidity. Balanced and well made, ready to enjoy from today and through Summer 2021. POINTS: 90 RRP $19 summerhouse.co.nz
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Rapaura Springs Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2019 Marlborough
Enticing and sophisticated bouquet of SB with aromas and flavours of passionfruit and apple, a touch of gunflint and lemon, wet stone, lemongrass and hay. Juicy, fleshy and quite delicious on the palate. Flavours reflect the nose with a core of passionfruit, sweet Cape gooseberry and lemongrass, loads of crisp refreshing acidity and a long finish. Drink now and through 2021. POINTS: 94 RRP $19 rapaurasprings.co.nz
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Smith & Sheth CRU Sauvignon Blanc 2019 Wairau, Marlborough
Intense, fruity, quite pungent and varietal with aromas and flavours of fresh pineapple and basil, a sting of grapefruit, lemon and white peach. A touch of fruit spice, lees and hay. Loads of texture from plenty of acidity with a flinty salty layer. Well made, vibrant and ready, in fact delicious! Drink now and through 2022. POINTS: 94 RRP $28 smithandsheth.com
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Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc 2019 Marlborough
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Pyramid Valley Sauvignon+ 2019 North Canterbury
Exacting aromas and flavours include fresh citrus and a leesy spice, white peach and grapefruit, a gentle stony and chalky earthy layer and lifted floral moments. Crisp, refreshing and dry on the palate with flavours that mirror the nose, especially grapefruit peel, sweet lemon and apple. Pristine acidity and lengthy finish. Well made, balanced and ready to enjoy from today and through 2023. POINTS: 94 RRP $28 pyramidvalley.co.nz
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Unmistakable aromas of tropical fruits and citrus, sweet grass and wet stone. On the palate – flavours of pineapple and passionfruit, red apple and peach. Additional flavours of lemongrass and galangal, wet stone and minerals. Crisp and dry on the finish. Drink now and through 2022. POINTS: 92 RRP $20 wairauriverwines.com
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Greystone Sauvignon Blanc 2018 North Canterbury
Varietal SB greets the nose with a sweet herb and angelica leaf tease. Golden kiwifruit, apple and grapefruit follow close behind. No mistaking the sweet sweaty lift of barrel ferment and lees as well as natural ferment flintiness. A youthful reductive note swirls away easily. Very citrusy and crisp on the palate with lees and barrel flavours to follow. Grapefruit, apple and peach to finish. Youthful and delicious, lengthy and exciting. Drink now and through 2022. POINTS: 94 RRP $29 greystonewines.co.nz
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Worldof Wine VOLUME 3 SUMMER 2019/20
CAMERON DOUGLAS MS
D I G I TA L E D I T I O N S AVA I L A B L E O N I S S U U
CAM’S BEST OF
2019
RAISING A TOAST TO
Summer
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108 WINES
Tasted & rated
SIMON GAULT’S BBQ FAVOURITES
+ the perfect wine matches
SWAP YOUR DROP
Delicious alternatives to tried-and-trues
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