For the third episode in a row Steph and Val are behind the same mic and most likely pre-sipped before recording. You’ve been warned. A whole bunch of #W25Challenge fodder is included, but we’ve kept the episode bite-sized.
Back from a two-week-toodle around the west and a little break, we are finally getting you the notes from the September 8th cast. We were still sipping New Zealand wine together during this recording and having a blast bringing some more fun facts on this kick ass wine producing country at the bottom of the world to YOU!
We had two wines that were both estate bottled examples of some of NZ’s finest offerings, one from the North Island, one on the South Island. For example, in one glass is the Villa Maria Taylor’s Pass Marlborough …. Bet you thought we were going to say Sauvignon Blanc? NOOOooo! It’s a Chardonnay. And what? Yes! Marlborough, on the South Island, produces other things besides the Sauv Blanc that you all may know and love, but we’ll get to that in a minute.
This 2011 Chardonnay is from one vineyard called “Taylor’s Pass” which lies on the North Bank of the Awatere River in Marlborough. It was barrel-fermented and aged for 8 months in Oak – what does that mean? A little more creaminess and roundness. Also some nuttiness and spice go go along with the lovely tropical flavours.
In the other glass was the Destiny Bay 2010 Destinae from Waiheke Island, located on the North Island’s Northern half. It is a Bordeaux style blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, Cab Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. This a highly prized wine that is gaining in popularity, and Val and Steph were honored to share the experience with you on the show. It sells for $75-100/bottle.
And did you know?… Waiheke Island is the most densely populated island in New Zealand and now has the status of one of the best destinations for vacation.
DISCUSSION/FACTOID TOPIC: New Zealand Fun Facts
We always hear about New Zealand’s famous Sauvignon Blanc, and it is true that (here comes the factoid-palooza) 58% of vines planted (according to nzwine.com) are actually Sauvignon Blanc, followed by Pinot Noir (15%) Aromatics (10%) Chardonnay (9%) Full-bodied Reds (5%).
New Zealand Produces <1% of the world’s wines with Pernod Ricard NZ dominating and producing about 50% of NZ wines (Brancott is leading brand). Is it any wonder everyone defaults to sauvignon blanc when they think of NZ? And who can forget the wine that put New Zealand on the wine map and into glasses in 1985, the Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc? Incidentally, they also own Pelorus, a beautiful Sparkling wine and while I’m at it – NZ produces lovely classic method sparklers!
Also, 80% of NZ exports are Sauvignon Blanc; Marlborough is the largest and most well-known wine region; and it contains 90% of all NZ vine plantings.
Yet, there are so many other treasures from this beautiful country, as we’ve tasted in these last two episodes. We can’t forget Central Otago Pinot Noir and varietal wines from international grapes like Merlot and Cabernet from Hawkes Bay, just to name a few.
A few other interesting factoids about New Zealand Wine:
- As for licensing grocery stores couldn’t sell wine until 1990, yet they couldn’t sell beer until 1999 – where we are/were the opposite with our silly 3.2 beer thing
- They also adopted widely the use of screwcap in 2001 (The Screwcap Initiative); now 99% of bottles use screw caps! We’ve linked up a cool article about this by Dr. Jamie Goode as well as a video of him tasting some NZ Syrah because we couldn’t resist. We love Jamie. Just sayin’. Val may or may not stalk him regularly on Instagram.
SHOUTOUTS: Applause, applause to the wineries represented on this episode – Villa Maria and Destiny Bay – and again, thank you to Celia Hay of NZ School of Food and Wine and the Society of Wine Educators for bringing us all together!
LISTENER PROPS:
Karen Hansen (via FB):
“I’ve been having a blast binging your podcast, yes all the way from episode 1, while at the gym or drinking my everyday favorite wine, Panilonco Cabernet Sauvignon ($5 at Trader Joe’s)!”
Lynn Gowdy from Rions, France (via FB):
“A Sunday #W25Challenge, sparkler from Portugal- fresh ripe fruit from the Maria Gomes (Fernão Pires) grape.”
Zh Yuanjun (via FB)
“#W25Challenge an amazing Sauternes” une autre voix”
Thanks for inviting Lynn Gowdy” We LOVE that you are all sharing the #W25Challenge!
Andrew Villarreal (via FB): “Santiago Queirolo Magdalena Semi Sweet Red from Peru. Deep ruby color with red fruit and fresh acidity with prune, cherry, and strawberry aromas. Crisp and medium bodied,with low tanins and a nice medium finish.”
And there you have it! We hope you enjoyed our New Zealand Series.
Connect with Val on Twitter @WineGalUnboxed and on the Vino With Val FB page, and on instagram as Vino with Val.
You can find Steph on Twitter @Albarellosoap and on the AlbarelloSoap FB page, and check out the videos on the Albarello YouTube channel!
Please visit us on FB page, Twitter, Pinterest & YouTube, Google +. Also, if you want to build your collection of wine books or accessories please check out the online store also located on our website!
We hope that you’ll share Wine Two Five with your friends and online community, and we certainly appreciate all your involvement and feedback. Leave us a burning wine question or comment on speakpipe and while you’re at it, go out to iTunes and show us some love there in the form of a glowing iTunes review so other wine lovers can discover our fun W25 community.
One more thing… Don’t forget to use the #W25Challenge when you are trying new wines and drinks like the folks above – there’s some seriously fun stuff out there being discovered!
Until next week …. Cheers!