sit. sip. savour.: May 6, 2014

You know me ... I simply cannot resist a wine tasting. Especially when it is in the name of practice for my WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) diploma "Light Wines of the World" exam coming up March 2015. I hear it's a doozy so much practice is in order. nota bene - that's my excuse & I'm sticking to it!

I jumped at the opportunity when New Zealand Winegrowers presented New Zealand in a Glass to trade (afternoon) and consumers (evening) on Monday May 5th. To be completely honest, I am not a big fan of Sauvignon Blanc but I will always sample it to check my palate - after all, tastes do change. I found almost all were not the over-the-top-cat's-pee version but crisp, fresh, elegant & well-balanced. Nary a complaint will be heard over featured New Zealand blends & dessert wines, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir & Syrah. Oh, and, don't forget the sparkling - added bonus for me is rosé sparkling!

The wineries featured were as follows ...

Astrolabe Wines

Astrolabe Province Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2013
Astrolabe Province Pinot Gris Marlborough 2013
Astrolabe Valleys Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2012
Astrolabe Valleys Pinot Noir Marlborough 2012

Babich Wines

Babich Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2013
Babich Pinot Noir Marlborough 2013
Babich Black Label Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2013
Babich Winemaker's Reserve Pinot Noir Marlborough 2012
Babich The Patriarch Cabernet Sauvignon Hawke's Bay 2011

Elephant Hill

Elephant Hill Le Phant Blanc Hawke's Bay 2013 (Viognier, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer)
Elephant Hill Syrah Hawke's Bay 2013
Elephant Hill Sauvignon Blanc Hawke's Bay 2013 (upcoming ~ August 1st Vintages release)
Elephant Hill Le Phant Hawke's Bay 2012

Huia Vineyards

Huia Sparkling Marlborough 2009
Huia Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2013
Huia Pinto Gris Marlborough 2012
Huia Pinot Noir Marlborough 2011
Hunky Dory Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2013
Hunky Dory Tangle White Blend Marlborough 2013
Hunky Dory Pinot Noir Marlborough 2013

Hunter's Wines

Hunter's Pinot Noir Marlborough 2012
Hunter's Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2013
Hunter's MiruMiru Sparkling Marlborough NV
Hunter's Chardonnay Marlborough 2012

Loveblock Vintners

Loveblock Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2013
Loveblock Pinot Noir Central Otago 2012

Marisco Vineyards

Marisco Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2013
Marisco Vineyards Pinot Noir Marlborough 2011
The Ned Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2013
The Ned Pinot Gris Marlborough 2013
The Ned Pinot Noir Marlborough 2013
The Ned Noble Sauvignon Blanc Dessert Wine Marlborough 2012
The Kings Favour Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2013
The Kings Thorn Pinot Gris Marlborough 2013
The Kings Legacy Chardonnay Marlborough 2012
The Kings Wrath Pinot Noir Marlborough 2012
The King's A Sticky End Noble Sauvignon Blanc Dessert Wine Marlborough 2011

Oyster Bay New Zealand

Oyster Bay Sparkling Cuvée Brut Hawke's Bay NV
Oyster Bay Sparkling Cuvée Rosé NV
Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2013
Oyster Bay Pinot Grigio Hawke's Bay 2013
Oyster Bay Chardonnay Marlborough 2013
Oyster Bay Pinot Noir Marlborough 2012
Oyster Bay Merlot Hawke's Bay 2013

Pask Winery

Pask Roy's Hill Merlot Hawke's Bay 2011
Pask Gimblett Road Cabernet Merlot Malbec Hawke's Bay 2010
Kate Radburnd Vine Velvet Pinot Noir Martinborough 2012
Kate Radburnd Sun Kissed Pinot Gris Hawke's Bay 2012

Pernod Ricard Winemakers

Stoneleigh Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2013
Stoneleigh Latitude Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2013
Stoneleigh Vineyards Chardonnay Marlborough 2013
Stoneleigh Vineyards Pinot Noir Rosé Marlborough 2013
Stoneleigh Vineyards Pinot Noir Marlborough 2013
Stoneleigh Latitude Pinot Noir Marlborough 2012 (upcoming ~ June 1st Vintages release)
Brancott Estate Letter Series "B" Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2012