Winepress - December 2011

WINEPRESS Issue No. 210 / December 2011

Eutypa Dieback

Alternatives Impress

The Year That Was

Chair’s Report

Photo: Jim Tannock

The Official Magazine of

www.wine-marlborough.co.nz

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In this issue...

Regulars

Features

3

8

Editorial

4

Eutypa Dieback in Marlborough The fungal disease that can devastate production is here in Marlborough. How to recognise

Tasman Crop Met Report

the signs and what to do about them, was the subject of a NZW

p8

seminar last month. We hear from the experts.

27 Wine Happenings

12

Sauvignon Blanc and the Australian Market It is by far the most drunk white wine in Australia – but how

28 Accolades

did it become so popular and how do we ensure the demand remains high? Monty James looks at expanding on our current situation.

All correspondence including advertising / associate memberships / change of address to: Wine Marlborough PO Box 511, Blenheim 7240 T: 03 577 9299, F: 03 577 9298 E: admin@wine-marlborough.co.nz www.wine-marlborough.co.nz

16

20th Anniversary of Buyer’s Guide

p13

Twenty years isn’t so long on the face of it – but in terms of New Zealand’s wine industry, it has been an incredible period of time.

Michael Cooper has seen that first hand and looks back at the

Printed by: Blenheim Print Ltd. T: 03 578 1322 WINEPRESS is printed with vegetable oil based inks on elemental chlorine free paper which is sourced 100% from well managed forrests and manufactured under ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems.

changes he has been chronicling.

23

The Year That Was

It has been a full on year and this issue we take a retrospective look back. What were the major stories of the past 12 months? Who were the people making them and what were the issues concerning the

p19

industry?

The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

12/2011 WINEPRESS

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1

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12/2011 WINEPRESS

The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

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From the Editor

Wine Marlborough Free to all levy paying members Associate Members: $77 +GST Editor: Tessa Nicholson

Another year almost over and a new one just around the corner.

It has been a tumultuous 12 months for the Marlborough wine industry. Low prices and yield caps for growers. A high New Zealand dollar and economic issues for wineries.

Yet exports are up and surpluses are down. Now we just await an increase in the price

16 Bank Street

per litre paid – so everyone begins to benefit.

Blenheim

As we head into the end of the year, I thought it appropriate to look at some of the

T: 021 709 571

positives that are occurring out there in the market place, in particular in our largest

E: tessa.nicholson@me.com

market Australia.

If you wish to make contact with any

how it was Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc became the most drunk white wine in the

member of the Wine Marlborough

country. Plus he explains why it is vital to expose the influencers, to Marlborough on a

Board, the following are their email

face to face level.

addresses.

Australian Master of Wine Phil Reedman looks at where Marlborough has come from

Dominic Pecchenino:

and where it is going, with an unbiased perspective.

nzyanks@xtra.co.nz Anna Flowerday: ajflowerday@xtra.co.nz Blair Gibbs: blair@spyvalley.co.nz James Jones: james@starborough.co.nz Ivan Sutherland: ivan@dogpoint.co.nz Ben Glover:

Monty James, NZW’s Marketing Manager in Australia explains from his perspective,

Our wines have shone at recent wine shows – not just here in New Zealand, but also Asia. We celebrate our trophy winners.

Other good news includes Marlborough having four brands included among the top 50 most admired in the world.

And if that is not enough, wine critic and blogger Jason Bryant adds his opinion on the alternative styles that are emerging in Marlborough. He is mightily impressed.

Maybe this is a little bit of blowing out own trumpet – but given the hardships that have been experienced of late, it’s important to remember we are good at what we do and others are more than happy to confirm that.

So on that positive note – I hope you all have a safe and enjoyable Christmas, with a bottle or two of Marlborough wine. And all the best for the New Year.

See you back in February.

ben@witherhills.co.nz Ruud Maasdam: ruud@staetelandt.co.nz Clive Jones: cjones@nautilusestate.com Richard Rose: kvl@silkweb.net.nz

TESSA NICHOLSON tessa.nicholson@me.com

Guy Lissaman: glissaman@xtra.co.nz

The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

12/2011 WINEPRESS

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Met Report Table 1: Blenheim Weather Data – November 2011 November 2011

November 2011 compared to LTA

November LTA

Period of LTA

November 2010

GDD’s for: Month - Max/Min¹ Month – Mean²

145.3 144.3

103.5% 102%

140.3 141.5

(1986-2010) (1986-2010)

165.5 166.1

Growing Degree Days Total Jul – Nov 11 – Max/Min Jul - Nov 11 – Mean

285.2 347.8

87.5% 91.7%

325.7 379.0

(186-2010) (1986-2010)

342.9 382.5

Mean Maximum (°C) Mean Minimum (°C) Mean Temp (°C) Mean Temp (°C)

19.9 9.7 14.8 14.8

-0.3°C +0.8°C +0.2% +0.2°C

20.2 8.9 14.6³ 14.6³

(1932-1980) (1932-1980) (1932-200) (1986-2010)

21.3 9.7 15.5

Grass Frosts (<= -1.0°C)

1

0.3 Less 0.7 More

1.3 0.3

(1932-1980) (1986-2010)

0

Air Frosts

0

Equal Equal

0.1 0.0

(1932-1980) (1986-2010)

0

Sunshine hours Sunshine hours – lowest Sunshine hours – highest Sunshine hours total – 2011

237.5

99% 99.7%

(1935-2000) 1985 1997 (1935-2000)

283.3

2191

235 158.9 322.5 2197

Rainfall (mm) Rainfall (mm) – lowest Rainfall (mm) – highest Rainfall total (mm) – 2011

50.4

107%

594.6

99%

47 4.6 154.6 600

(1930-2000) 1930 1999 (1930-2000)

Evapotranspiration – mm

132

109%

121.5

(1996-2010)

132.8

Avg. Daily Windrun (km)

288.9

92%

313.5

(1996-2010)

240.4

Mean soil temp – 10cm

15.2

+0.3°C

14.9

(1986-2010)

17.2

Mean soil temp – 30cm

16.2

-0.3°C

16.5

(1986-2010)

18.0

(0.0°C)

2192.3 27.0 693.8

¹GDD’s Max/Min are calculated from absolute daily maximum and minimum temperatures ²GDD’s Mean are calculated from average hourly temperatures ³Mean temperature for two long-term average periods provided as a contrast Air Temperature November 2011 was basically a month of two halves; cool for the first two weeks and warm in the latter two weeks Growing Degree Days Figure 1 contrasts the current season 2011/2011, (bold black line) to the end of November 2011, with four other seasons.

Marlborough has not had a warmer than average October since 2001. Hence the growing degree-day line has been in decline during October for most of

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Table 2: Summary of temperatures for November 2011 – by approximate weekly intervals November

Mean Maximum Temp (°C)

Mean Minimum Temp (°C)

Mean Temp (°C)

1st - 8th

19.4

9.4

14.4 -0.2°C

9th -16th

17.9

9.0

13.45 -1.15°C

17th – 24th

21.8

10.8

16.3 +1.7°C

25th – 30th

20.8

9.6

15.2 +0.8°C

Month Mean

19.9

9.7

14.8 +0.2°C

those years. The line for October 2011 is a reflection of the cool then warm

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temperatures. However, it is clear that at the beginning of December 2011 that the GDD line is well below where it was at the same point in 2010.

The 2011/2012 line to the end of November is remarkably similar to the 2009/2010 line, two years ago.

The three solid black straight lines during December are an extrapolation of the 2011/2012 line. These are included to give an indication of where the GDD line could go with the December temperature being either; +1.0°C above, equal to, or -1.0°C below the long-term average for December. This highlights the fact that to get the 2011/2012 GDD line back up to average that the temperature during December 2011 needs to be more than 1.0°C above the long-term average. This is entirely possible, as indicated by the rapidly climbing GDD line for December 2010, when the temperature was 1.5°C above average. However, the possibility of warmer weather is probably not as high as it was last year, as indicated in the following section.

Climate outlook for the coming months and implications for the grape harvest At this time last year NIWA suggested that there was a 60% chance of above average, 30% chance of average and 10% chance of below average temperatures from November 2010 to January 2011 in the top of the south island. They got that largely right, with well above average temperatures for most period from November to early February. The prediction for November 2011 to January 2012 is 40% chance of above average, 40% chance of average and 20% chance of below average temperatures. So it seems that there is

Figure 1: Growing degree days for Blenheim: days ahead (+) or behind (-) average; calculated from average hourly temperature data and long term average 1996-2010. The graph shows the cumulative GDD difference between the season and the long term average total

less likelihood of such a sustained period of warm weather as was experienced in late 2010 and early 2011.

In the early part of the 2010/2011 season it appeared as if flowering of grapes was going to be late due to a cold October and early November. The warm weather from about the 12th November 2010 onwards ensured that flowering was nowhere near as late as it initially appeared it would be. On 2 December 2010, flowering of monitored Sauvignon blanc vines in Marlborough had just begun, whereas these same vines are still up to a week from flowering in on 2 December 2011. So if flowering is later in 2011 than it was in 2010 and the likelihood of sustained warm weather is lower in the current season, than last season, then harvest 2012 is looking to be later than in 2011. Hopefully we will not get a repeat of temperatures similar to December 2004, when the mean was 14.7°C; 2°C below average. Remember that the 2005 harvest was very late.

Figure 1 indicates that the GDD line for

this season is below where the 2004/2005 line was at the beginning of December.

I am wary of making predictions as Murphy’s Law states that “once you make a prediction in writing, it never comes true” Sunshine Blenheim recorded 237.5 hours sunshine in November 2011, right on the long-term average, as is the total for the year to the end of November. On a number of occasions since about the year 2000 I think I have said that Blenheim is going to be beaten by Nelson for the title of New Zealand’s sunniest town. To the end of November 2011 Nelson was 67 hours ahead of Blenheim so unfortunately, yet again Blenheim is going to miss out on the title. I have been assured by Jim Salinger that if we are patient, the inter-decadal climate cycle will change in about 2020 and Blenheim should once again be restored to its position as sunniest town in New Zealand. Although I suggest that you don’t hold your breath.

Rainfall Blenheim recorded slightly above average rainfall in November 2011 and total rainfall for the eleven months to November is right on the long-term average. At the end of November 2010, Blenheim had received 100 mm more rain than it has in 2011. However, the monthly rainfall distribution in 2011 has been a lot more even than in was in 2010. Only one month in 2011 (May) has recorded a rainfall total markedly different from the long-term average, whereas 2010 was a year of very low and very high monthly rainfall totals.

Soil moisture Shallow soil moisture (5 to 35 cm depth) at the Grovetown Park weather station fell from 32 per cent on 1 November 2011 to 22 percent on 30 November.

Wind Run November2011 recorded slightly higher wind run than November 2010. However, in both years wind run was well below average. In the cooler first half of November 2011 wind run was well below average at only 239 km per day, whereas in the second half of November wind run was slightly above average at 341 km per day.

Rob Agnew Plant & Food Research

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Chairs Report DOMINIC PECCHENINO

The following is an extract from the Chair’s report to the Wine Marlborough AGM, held on November 25.

The full report and the financials are available from the Wine Marlborough office.

The tone of the year’s industry performance has been mixed, with continuing suppressed grape grower incomes offset by reports of a more optimistic winery community. Indications are that these conditions will continue to brighten with the end goal being a more sustainable balance between supply and demand. Underlying this sales performance however is the volatile New Zealand dollar that diminishes real returns to all participants.

Despite much publicity and comment throughout this past financial year that the grape and wine industry was on its knees and in danger of a serious collapse, the industry has remained viable for all but a very few, due to hard work often combined with creative business approaches. Financial institutions have developed far more interactive relationships with their clients and so far must be commended on their stance to work proactively through this period. This stance has been brought to bear by their confidence in the long term viability of Marlborough wine.

Openness to new ways of doing business, and often sheer hard work has seen us graft our way to where we are today which I can say with confidence is, for most, a better place than where we were twelve months ago.

This openness to new ideas has seen a renewed commitment by some, but not enough, to further their education and understanding of industry developments

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and often cutting edge research by attending industry subsidised or fully funded seminars, workshops, conferences and research sessions.

Improving our understanding of a fast changing world is necessary and our support of these sessions and communication about them remains a commitment.

For the future to be brighter what do we need? We need balance sheet restoration across the sector, we need strongly motivated grape growers who seek to deliver excellent quality fruit that our wine makers turn into high quality wine and marketers promote into diversified markets domestically and across the globe. We also need strong governance and support from you, our members.

As was the case last year, the focus of Marlborough Winegrowers has been on events, labour, communication, education and advocacy. The core focus is unlikely to change despite the organisation being fit, flexible and easily adaptable to whatever challenges we may face.

As always member participation and feedback is sought and encouraged.

Your regional association, Marlborough Winegrowers Association and its trading company, Wine Marlborough Ltd has its mandate set by industry. In reporting back to you via this summary the organisation feels our combined entities performance has been strong.

Community and Council: The MWGA undertook regular

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meetings with Marlborough District Council throughout the year with an ambition to have more open and direct communication. The focus has been on addressing the rural councillors, Mayor and key staff about a variety of industry issues. Meetings have been quarterly or as the need arises and issues discussed mimic our organisational focus so include water and land issues, rates, frost fans, events and labour amongst others.

Continued work in the region played by NZW in their lead role in frost fan related issues must be acknowledged and should be appreciated by us all. To date the finer details of the environment court appeal process is still being discussed.

Seasonal Labour: The role of the Seasonal Labour office is not to be underestimated. This busy office deals with significant sectors of the industry including job seekers (including working holiday, unemployed, RSE, casuals), viticultural contractors, grape growers and wineries. What isn’t widely known is that Claire Wilson also works closely with the Marlborough Viticulutural Contractors Association who encourage compliance of contractors to SWNZ standards as well as PickNZ and is involved in governance with Marlborough’s Regional Seasonal Labour Governance Group. Claire Wilson also works closely with NZW especially in the labour and immigration policy, advocacy and regulatory areas.

Industry support, workshops and seminars: A number of large industry meetings have been spearheaded by NZW and Wine Marlborough along with a number of workshops and meetings throughout the year that delivered information and educational value to distinct subsets of members. There are many organisations willing to work with Wine Marlborough to deliver information to our members and many approaches to do so. For seminars or session ideas you have, please let the office know.

RWC 2011: Wine Marlborough was the recipient of a $45,000 New Zealand Lotteries Commission grant for their recently held Marlborough Wine and Cuisine Event at Brancott Vineyard. This grant was vital in the implementation of an event of quite

dramatic scale. This income is reported in our financial audit as income received in advance for expenditure in this current financial year.

Marcus Pickens from Wine Marlborough was also involved in the regional steering group that worked hard to position Marlborough well for rugby related benefits across many sectors.

Scholarships: Wine Marlborough are proud supporters of NMIT’s viticulture programme and have strengthened this commitment by undertaking to award up to two scholarships for returning year two students valued at $1500 each. In 2011 one scholarship was awarded to Dominic Ison a returning second year student.

Wine Marlborough also launched The Wine Marlborough – John Avery – Link Foundation Scholarship in conjunction

with the NZ/UK Link Foundation who promote cultural and professional exchanges between New Zealand and the UK. Being the first year, the scholarship was awarded internally to Marcus Pickens to help establish its longevity and credibility and Marcus Pickens travelled to the UK in May 2011.

The trip was of tremendous benefit to the reputation of Marlborough and the organisation.

Overall, the report above should give you all, as members of our organisation, confidence in the outcomes achieved for the 2010 – 2011 year.

Dominic Pecchenino Marlborough Winegrowers Association Chairman. 25 November 2011

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Eutypa in Marlborough TESSA NICHOLSON

As vines in Marlborough age, the more evident the presence of Eutypa Dieback is becoming. This fungal disease that directly impacts on cropping levels and fruit quality, can be managed, if you know what to look for.

The greatest problem with Eutypa is

Dr Mark Sosnowski a SARDI Scientist

susceptibility. But if you make the cuts

that it takes years for the symptoms to

said it is vital to choose your pruning

closer to spring when the weather is

become obvious. Studies undertaken in

time, if you want to prevent the spread.

warming up and you have sap flow, the

Australia showed that while the disease

Pruning in the rain exposes the vine to

window of susceptibility does decrease.”

may be well established it can be six

inevitable infection if Eutypa is present

Hygiene in the vineyard is vital during the

years before any foliar symptoms show

in the region – which he says it is in

pruning period, he said. That means all

up. By that stage, managing the disease

Marlborough.

dead wood should be removed as soon

is both difficult and expensive.

“The susceptibility of those wounds

as possible and all open wounds should

Eutypa is, as mentioned, a fungal disease

decreases over time but it can be up to

be protected.

that grows slowly through the wood of

four to six weeks before wounds heal

“You need to prevent the disease getting

infected plants. (It has to be noted vines

completely. The other thing to think about

in in the first place, which is done by

are not the only hosts for Eutypa. There

is pruning time. If you cut in the dead of

wound protection. If you do that you

are more than 80 other hosts for the

winter you have the longest window of

don’t have to think about the second

disease)

option which is controlling the

Infected spores are spread

disease once it is established,

by wind or rain and take

which is a pretty drastic and

hold in open wounds on

costly thing to do.”

the vine. Hence pruning

Currently in New Zealand

time is when vines are

there are only two registered

most vulnerable. No matter

fungicide products available

whether you mechanically

for wound protection and

or manually prune, vines

both have to be painted on.

will have open wounds

Mark said in South Australia

susceptible to infection in the

they have also used acrylic

right conditions. According

paint on wounds, quite

to the South Australian

successfully, as it creates

Research and Development

a barrier that spores can’t

Institute (SARDI) the spores

penetrate.

are released from diseased

So that is how to prevent Eutypa getting in to the vine.

wood after it becomes wet, (min 2mm of rain.)

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Typical foliage signs of Eutypa.

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But how do you know if you

already have the

the infected wood

disease?

is. There is no

That Mark said, is

indication it is found

more difficult initially,

in the roots and it

as it takes so long

is not believed to

for the symptoms to

be able to survive

become obvious.

in soil.

The first signs

Mark said there

will appear in the

is the option of

foliage, but you

cutting the trunk

have to know what

back to 20 or 30

you are looking for.

cm above ground

Symptoms include;

and allowing water

stunted shoots,

shoots to replace

cupped leaves,

the original vine. In

yellow in colour and

terms of Sauvignon

often with necrotic

Blanc this is not

margins. These

likely to be an

signs will be most

issue, given how

noticeable in the

prolific the variety

spring months,

is at pushing

when the shoots

watershoots.

Within the trunk of a vine Eutypa creates a wedge of dead material.

are between 30 and 70cm long. After that symptomatic foliage may be covered by healthy foliage.

Given these symptoms are also a sign of bud mite, herbicide damage, frost injury and zinc deficiency, you need to be well schooled in what to look for.

An infected vine will continue to produce fruit for a time – but eventually you will notice some obvious signs. In a severe case the inflorescence may not initiate at all. In less severe cases, buds can shrivel and drop off after flowering. There is likely to be uneven ripening of berries, which will affect fruit quality. If left untreated, Eutypa can kill the entire vine.

By the time you have noticed the symptomatic foliage, it means there is likely to be a canker in the vine or spur. If you were to cut through that canker, the

However in some most apparent Eutypa sign would show up – a dead wedge within the wood. (See Photo.) By this stage, you have very few options left to you. You need to remove all the infected wood, from the spur or trunk.

Mark said the disease grows at an average rate of 50mm a year, mostly heading towards the ground. To ensure you remove all the disease, you have to cut back much further.

“The distance we have been able to isolate the fungus ahead of the stained material in healthy tissue is 80 mm, so really if you are going to be cutting out the infected material, you need to cut another 10cm below, to be sure there is no residual fungus left.”

Having Eutypa doesn’t necessarily mean

other varieties, cutting back that far may mean shoots are minimal, as low as around 40% of vine stumps in the first year. Although Mark said over a period of time (3 – 4 years) the incidence of watershoots will increase. By renewing vines in this way, you don’t have to bear the cost of replanting and waiting for the vine to become fruitful.

The cost of Euypa on the New Zealand wine industry is unknown. The only quantitative figures available are from California where it is estimated it costs the wine industry US$260 million a year.

That’s a good enough reason to be vigilant about preventing its spread here in Marlborough.

you have to remove the vine – depending of course on how far down the trunk

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12/2011 WINEPRESS

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An Outsider’s Perspective PHIL REEDMAN MW

Phil has spent more than 25 years working in the wine industry, including nine years as Senior Wine Product Development Manager for UK retailer Tesco, covering Australia, New Zealand, the United States and South America. He is based in Australia.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc will forever have a place in the hearts and minds of wine drinkers who came of age in the early to mid 1980s. Indeed, I can still remember my first bottle and where I bought it – a wholly new experience in terms of the level and clarity of fruit.

Back then, Marlborough Sauvignon was both reassuringly expensive and yet still affordable (barely), and there was just enough of it available to tantalise and captivate – with the exception of Cloudy Bay, a wine so scarce and of such repute that any merchant with stock on hand knew his cash flow that month would be positive and any drinker knew that they’d be invited back to another dinner party if they took along a bottle.

Demand outstripped supply; retailers, restaurateurs and drinkers were frequently invited to buy a case or two of something else in order to get the wine they really wanted. New Zealand wasn’t so much selling wine as allocating it, always with the promise that things would ease “next year.”

All of this put New Zealand in the wonderful position of having the highest per litre retail price in the UK market, way out in front of its nearest rival, Australia.

But in this statistic lies the root of many of today’s problems: who wouldn’t plant a vineyard when you could not only allocate your wine but get the highest price in the market for it?

As “brand Marlborough” continued to grow in value and esteem, more and

more vineyards were planted along with the frost-fighting infrastructure to keep crop losses in check. Supply was like a jack-in-the-box: nothing there, nothing there.... and then, wham! Where the heck did all that come from? With the usual circuit-breaker of frost significantly reduced, annual carry-overs started to mount.

Which more or less brings us to the present: average prices are still pretty high in the marketplace, but let’s be honest, the good old days are gone and they ain’t coming back.

How did it all unravel so quickly? From my perspective, there was almost universal failure to recognise the emergence of oversupply. Plantings continued even after industry leaders belatedly started hosing things down.

And so we have a situation we might not like but one we ignore at our peril.

Where to from here? New Zealand is fortunate to have a disproportionately large number of highly regarded brands, and in them, I see part of the solution.

The other part of the solution rests with large retailers whose own brands have long had an important place in the market. Wishful thinking is not going to remove large retailers or their own brands: wineries and promotion bodies need to understand how and why multiple retailers work as they do and find a “win-win.” Ignoring this channel and/ or making disparaging comments in the media won’t help the cause, and, after all,

how can retailers understand the value of your brand if you won’t engage with them?

Not all brands are created equal, however, and there is a wealth of difference between an estate-crafted Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc grown on a vineyard planted for the love of wine and a perfectly potable but ultimately uninteresting wine grown on vineyards planted for the bottom right cell on a spreadsheet.

Strong brands can drive things forward, they can open up new markets, they can help increase the share of spend in favour of New Zealand, and they will help pull value back into the industry, but all of this will take time. Falling from glory is quick, clawing your way back takes time, persistence and investment.

Postscript Before the glut swamped Marlborough, a group of producers had the courage of their convictions to put their brand equity on the line with the daring move to screwcap closures. Undoubtedly a brave decision but one that paid off; before long the rest of the wine world was flocking to Marlborough not just for its Sauvignon Blanc but also to learn about screwcaps.

It took a recognised premium quality wine region to catalyse the change to screwcaps and wine drinkers globally should forever be grateful that the late Ross Lawson and his fellow collaborators took the plunge.

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11

Expanding Dominance in Australia TESSA NICHOLSON

Australian winemakers may not like it, but Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is the country’s most loved white wine. Now we have to ensure it stays that way.

The growth of the brand and style has

stage. Then you have to assume the

been phenomenal, to the point that

flavour was immediately loved.”

eight of the 10 top white wine labels in

But in recent years, there has been a

Australia are Marlborough Sauvignon

backlash by some sommeliers, critics

Blanc, according to NZW’s Australian

and the Australian wine industry in

Marketing Manager Monty James.

general. Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

How it got there and can we replicate

has been given derogatory names

those statistics into Asian markets, are

that say more about those using the

questions I put to Monty recently.

names than it does about the wine itself.

When the first signs of the Sauvignon

Regardless of efforts to tarnish the style,

success story started to emerge, Monty

wine sales are still going through the roof.

was working in retail. He says he can

Yet there is no room for complacency.

remember going into sales meetings and

Monty says the move to try and label

looking at the ever growing figures.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc as “all

“Everyone was gobsmacked at the

the same” needs to be refuted strongly.

success and the rate of that success,”

So the fact many winemakers are

he said.

diversifying within the category as well

He puts it down to the unique flavours of

as the sub regional stories are messages

the wine, arriving on the scene at a time

that need promoting.

when consumers were tired of what was

Earlier this year NZW brought three of Australias top sommeliers to

already on offer.

“You can’t discount the fact that up until

Monty says the work of sommeliers also

Marlborough, to show them just how

Sauvignon Blanc, people were drinking

had quite a bit to do with the initial growth

unfair the label “all the same” is.

these horrible Chardonnays. They had

of the variety.

Andrew Phillpot, from The Press Club

wood chips for seasoning and it had

“The growth started in the bars by early

in Melbourne, Patrick White from Otto

been bastardised to the point that I think

adopters. Trend setters were saying

Ristorante in Sydney and Matt Swieboda,

consumers were ready for a change.

this is fantastic. And sommeliers loved

co-owner of Sydney wine bar Love,

Sauvignon Blanc was at the other end of

to show this new wine off, because it

were examples of influential people who

the spectrum. There was no wood, it was

was from New Zealand and that was a

believed Marlborough produced just the

fresh, plus it was totally consistent. And it

bit unusual. But it had a unique flavour,

one style of Sauvignon Blanc.

does tend to suit the climate in Australia.”

it was a point of wine difference at that

“We told the people in Marlborough that

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out beyond French wines is because the quality price ratio (QPR) element is very important to the Hong Kong consumer.

Now that is exciting for New Zealand, particularly because of the flavour profiles of New Zealand wine, straddling between new world Australia and old world France. I think New Zealand is in a good place to be a new world option for the distributors looking to expand their portfolio.”

Which may see Chinese media, sommeliers, and off trade owners being invited to come and experience this part of the world for themselves.

“We know that if you come to New Zealand on a wine these guys don’t want to sell it by the

challenge a consumers prejudice about

trip, you become a lifetime advocate.

glass anymore, so you need to show

Sauvignon Blanc, by getting them to try

There are just so many interesting

them points of difference. Marlborough

something a little different.”

elements of the New Zealand wine

did just that. Everyone of them has put

So could this success story be

industry that you don’t pick up until you

Sauvignon Blanc back on by the glass.

converted into the Asian market? Could

go there.”

Patrick White put eight wines that he

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc become

In terms of Marlborough, bringing them

discovered, on by the glass.”

the “next big thing” in Hong Kong, China,

into the region can only help cement

The value of this one trip alone cannot be

Singapore or Korea? Yes it could – but

the unique qualities it has as a wine

easily measured. But it does show how

it will take time and a lot of education.

producer, according to Monty.

important it is to continue marketing, even

Already the Hong Kong and Chinese

“People talk a lot about the terroir of

in areas where it may seem as though

markets have seen a move towards wine

wine and its always been the domain of

you are talking to the converted.

styles other than French Bordeaux. Monty

the wine elite. But when you think about

“In the case of that trip it was very

says at a recent book launch in Hong

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, it’s got

successful because we gave them the

Kong by Master of Wine Debra Meiberg,

the most expressive terroir of any wine in

tip that they needed to be in the region,

she asked distributors why this was

the world. It doesn’t get any adulteration

meeting the passionate winemakers who

happening.

inside the winery – it is what it is because

are pushing the boundaries. Now I think

“She pretty much got the unanimous

of where it is grown. And in a way punters

they understand for life that it is silly and

answer, that people were branching out

get that.”

unprofessional to think Marlborough

towards good price, good quality, which

Certainly the Australians have – now it’s

Sauvignon Blanc is a one trick pony. They

is a very Chinese response. You can

time to target the Asian market.

know it is in their professional interest to

only assume that part of that branching

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13

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12/2011 WINEPRESS

The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

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12/2011 WINEPRESS

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Buyer’s Guide Celebrates 20 Years of Change TESSA NICHOLSON

In his first 1992 Buyer’s Guide to New Zealand Wine, Michael Cooper listed a total of 800 wines. His latest edition, the 2012 guide has a total of 3,145.

That’s a pretty good indication of how

good wines, which are not, which are the

much the New Zealand wine industry has

best quality wines and which are the best

grown in just two decades.

value.”

But it goes even further. Michael clearly

The idea caught on with 11,000 copies of

remembers his first visit to Marlborough

the first edition being snapped up, and

as a wine writer. It was back in 1980 and

paving the way for an annual guide that

he was in the process of writing Wines

has been a top seller every year since.

and Vineyards of New Zealand, with

However as the industry has grown, so

photography by Robin Morrison.

too has the workload of tasting all those

“We spent 10 days travelling around

wines and writing up the notes. It means

the North Island and just a day and

Michael has to conduct at least one

a half in the South Island. Because in

tasting a day, if not more. And there is a

Marlborough, the only producers to visit

certain time of the day that he prefers to

were Montana and Te Whare Ra. We

do that – between 11.30 and 12.30.

did those in about half a day and then

“I find if I come into the study at about

travelled over to Nelson for the rest.”

8.30 and I have been writing since then,

At that stage there were three wineries

I feel like a break. So it’s partly a bit of

in Nelson, compared to just the two

mental fatigue – but also it’s only about

in Marlborough. Oh how times have

an hour before lunch. There has been

changed.

basically a pocket guide that was talking

some research that the time of the day

Celebrating 20 years of the Buyer’s

about all the companies and their key

when you are at your sharpest mentally

Guide, Michael says the series came

wine styles. People kept saying how

and your palate supposedly is most

about due to public demand.

fascinating the star ratings were at the

observant, is when you are hungry. So

“In 1990 I wrote a pocket guide to the

back. So we thought, what they are telling

that’s the fun part of the day, 11.30 to

wines of New Zealand and it sold with a

us is there is a market for an unabashedly

12.30. I taste between five and 10 wines

hiss and a roar. At the back of that pocket

buyers focus on New Zealand wine. A

and I really look forward to it.”

guide, there were star ratings for quality

book where you wouldn’t be talking about

Just as the number of New Zealand wines

of all of New Zealand’s wines. So it was

the history and how to grow grapes.

have grown exponentially, there have also

like a mini buyers guide, at the back of

Rather you would focus on which are the

been numerous style changes in what

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we drink. Michael

and Pinot Noir. And

says during the

we have moved from

70s Muller Thurgau

overwhelmingly white

dominated. Then in

to now a far higher

the 80s it was the era

percentage of red wine

of Chardonnay, as

consumption, something

people moved on to

like 60% white and 40%

fuller and drier wines.

red. We are moving a bit

By the time it got to

more in line with overseas

the 90s, Sauvignon

trends.”

Blanc was hitting its

An interesting aside here,

straps and he says

is the trend in France

that love affair is still

towards Rosé. He says

continuing.

pink is a very trendy colour

“Because the

which has seen sales of

prices came down

Rosé soar.

and it has almost

“French people under

become the wine

the age of 30, who are

consumers white

trendy, overwhelmingly

wine of choice. Once

are drinking Rosé. So

it came down below

French Rosé sales are

$10 in supermarkets

now exceeding the sales

it displaced all the

of white wine.”

cheap Australian

One has to wonder if New

Chardonnays.

Zealand will take another

“Pinot Gris has come

20 years to catch up with

on strongly in the

this phenomena.

last decade, but not necessarily as strong

In his latest Guide to

as some people

New Zealand Wines,

assume, because we

Michael Cooper rated

still drink about twice

two Marlborough wines

as much Chardonnay

as the best value for

as we do Pinot Gris.”

your dollar. Whitehaven

The other change

“In New Zealand our consumption used

has been in the red wine market, with

to be something like 80% white, 20% red.

was named as the best value white

a swing from Cabernet Sauvignon

Yet when I read wine books overseas, I

wine, while Wild South Marlborough

initially to Merlot in Hawkes Bay and

could tell most people in Europe were

Pinot Noir 2010 was its red equivalent.

now to Pinot Noir from all around the

drinking far more red wine than white. So

Both wines retail for under $20.

country. The move towards more red

New Zealand was quite unusual.

wine consumption is something New

“We have in the past 20 years moved

Zealanders have been slow to adopt,

from slightly sweet Muller Thurgau, to

when compared with European nations.

drier Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blancs

Sauvignon Blanc 2011

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Alternatives Impress TESSA NICHOLSON

Well known wine writer and blogger Jason Bryant is impressed with the many varieties other than Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, that are beginning to emerge in Marlborough.

As a guest at the recent Wine Weekend, Jason Bryant was relishing the opportunity to try a range of wine styles he hadn’t had first hand experience with before. In particular he said the chance to taste the “alternative reds” during the weekend was a highlight.

“I always consider Marlborough being a two trick pony with Sauvignon and Pinot.

But the alternative red tasting gave me a bit of exposure to the other great varieties Marlborough can do really well. The highlight for me was the Syrah – I was really impressed.”

Admitting he hadn’t contemplated Marlborough fitting into the quality Syrah producing profile, he said the tasting caused a re-think.

“I consider Hawkes Bay and lesser so Gisborne to be the premium Syrah producers of New Zealand. But now I think Marlborough has some really great potential. They are different, there is more texture from Marlborough. Producers have obviously worked very hard and they seem to know what they are doing.

The wines were very site specific, they are quite crafted and taste very kind of artisanal. It’s all about the texture, the palate weight and obviously the purity of fruit.”

He was equally impressed with some of the lesser-known whites.

“A couple of years ago I wrote about Gruner Veltliner and said it will get New Zealand off the ventilator that we saw

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Jason Bryant

ourselves on. And it excited me the Gruner down here. It has now obviously become quite fashionable and trendy.

“Pinot Gris, now that we are finding our own way with it, is pretty exciting. The Riesling obviously in Marlborough is a bit tricky. It’s a bit more hit and miss than the Pinot Gris. And I was really surprised with the Sauvignon tasting. There were some outstanding Sauvignons that I would never get to taste and also from wineries I would never associate with such high quality Sauvignon Blanc. So we need to highlight that.”

Jason said part of the reason we tend not to associate particular varieties with certain regions, is because we are still too young to know exactly what New

The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

Zealand has to offer in terms of suitability.

“We are so immature that we don’t really know what sits where. So these little experiments we are conducting as an industry are pretty exciting and it facilitates us to find what we are really good at.”

Given there is so much learning yet to be done, Jason is an advocate of a loose style of appellation that would differentiate sub regions within the larger well-known regions.

“I’m not talking about inhibiting what we grow within them, or how many tonnes we are able to grow. I mean more of a loose appellation that concentrates on the geographic area. Because we are finding you can grow Tempranillo in the Awatere, you can get it ripe and make it into a very tidy wine. Obviously the same can be said about Marlborough doing Syrah, which 10 years ago everyone would have laughed at. They would have said you can’t ripen Merlot, Syrah or Malbec down here. But the growing degree days here rank with some of the best in the country.”

He also had some advice on promoting the region as a whole.

“There are some really exciting winemakers down here, some great innovations in winemaking. Also the stories behind each winery needs to be told. Marlborough needs to tell its story, rather than try and facilitate other people to tell its story for them.”

Marlborough Wines Among Most Admired Brands TESSA NICHOLSON

In a recent supplement included in the magazine Drinks International, four New Zealand companies, all with bases in Marlborough, made it into the world’s most admired brands.

The magazine listed the top 50 admired wine brands, as chosen by 60 wine professionals. Introducing the article in their September supplement, the Editor Graham Hoher said the Most Admired Wine Brands project was conceived as an opportunity to “salute producers whose products have done the most to put regions on the map, popularise wine drinking and to spread best practise throughout the industry.”

The panel of 60 included 12 Masters of Wine, consultants, winemakers, critics, retailers and collectors. Eleven countries were represented, ranging from the UK, to South Africa, Australia, to the US and Europe.

All 60 were asked to nominate their top five wine brands. The aim the magazine said was not to name five who had the best selling wines in the world, or the most awards. Rather they were to use the following criteria.

• Wines should be of consistent or improving quality • The should reflect their region or country or origin • They should respond to the needs and tastes of their target audience • They should be well marketed and packaged • They should have strong appeal to a wide demographic

The number one wine brand as chosen by the panel was Concha y Toro of Chile, whose wines are available in 135 countries. Described as a company that produces wine that “encompasses everything that Chile does best,” it was apparently a clear cut number one.

So to the New Zealand brands that appeared in the top 50.

At number six: Cloudy Bay. Described as producing the “iconic Sauvignon Blanc that put Marlborough on the map as one of the best known wineproducing regions in the world, inspiring

a generation of wine producers to develop their own version of the style.”

Number 16: Oyster Bay. “Winemaking philosophy is always at risk of being over elaborate, but at Oyster Bay the ambition is simply to ‘produce elegant and assertive wines with glorious fruit flavours.’”

Number 26: Villa Maria. The article says, “Villa Maria was one of the key brands in building New Zealand’s reputation for quality in export markets. Fistonich has been astute in his understanding of the country’s terroir and the effect it has on viticulture and ultimately wine styles.”

Number 33: Brancott Estate. The article says: “The range has been instrumental in forging New Zealand’s reputation (Pernod Ricard estimates it accounts for 10% of all wine exports) and is undisputedly one of the reasons Marlborough is held in such high regard.”

Gaining four brands in the top 50 is quite a feat. Especially when you consider that only four countries produced more Admired Wine Brands than New Zealand did. France topped the list with 13 brands, Spain had 9, the US 8, and Australia 7.

Other countries to gain mention in the article were Germany (2), Portugal (1), Italy (1), Chile (1), Lebanon (1), South Africa (2) and Canada (1).

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Layers of Information Help Marlborough Researchers TESSA NICHOLSON

Funding from the Liquorland Top 100, is helping local scientists in their goal of pinpointing site specific Sauvignon Blanc juice characteristics.

The funding, in the form of a scholarship,

of knowledge of viticultural land and

all around New Zealand, (the majority

allowed French scientist Laure de

management behind them when it comes

from Marlborough) have been collected.

Rességuier to spend two months in

to identifying terroir – so their knowledge

They are all being extensively chemically

Marlborough, assisting local Plant and

base is already firmly established. Ours

analysed and made into wine (at a

Food Research staff with her specific

isn’t.”

microvin level) followed by further wine

skills. A Research Associate at the

There are many facets within the

analysis.

Department of Viticulture and Oenology

Sauvignon Blanc II research programme,

Laure comes in at the vineyard level, as

of ENITA (École Nationale d’Ingénieurs

as scientists aim to provide more

she has been helping to establish a link

des Travaux Agricoles) in Bordeaux,

information to growers and winemakers

between the juice and the interaction of

Laure was able to use her knowledge of

to enable to them to create certain

soil, climate and management practises.

GIS (Geographic Information Systems)

styles of wine. To help them do that,

Given Marlborough has long been

to help in the Sauvignon Blanc research

an important part of the programme is

renowned for producing unique flavour

programme.

establishing a juice index. Therefore 143

compounds, she has been helping

The software allows the capturing,

different Sauvignon Blanc juices from

determine just where those compounds

managing, analyzing, and displaying of all forms of geographically referenced information.

Plant and Food Research Scientist Marc Greven says that the ability to use this software within the research programme is particularly interesting. “This is a new approach for New Zealand,” he said. “We have to use a different way of thinking to somewhere like Bordeaux, where Laure is based. In Bordeaux they have centuries

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are likely to be found in a geographical

variables – so we need to

sense. With further research and

become more specific in the

analyses the Marlborough team will then

future,” Marc said, which will

try to establish the reasons why these

be a relief for the participating

flavour and aroma compounds are linked

growers.

to these (sub) regions.

And, as is often the case with

Laure has worked with PFR staff to create

science and research, the more

a GIS data-base for all the 143 juice

they learn, the more questions

sites. This work is not just pinpointing

arise. But long term, there is

vineyard blocks on a map. Instead,

the expectation that specific

GIS allows many layers of information

Sauvignon Blanc traits will be

to be stored on top of each other, to

more clearly defined as being

create an overall picture. These layers

influenced by aspects of terroir.

include soil, growing degree days,

This will allow winemakers

climate parameters, clonal differences,

to pre plan wine styles, by

management techniques and analyses

better understanding the many

results. Where similarities appear in

conditions vines are subjected

the juice and wine analyses, it will be

to.

easier to determine if these relate to any aspects of “terroir”.

Marc says the growers involved have been paramount to this research as they have been the ones providing the juices and the necessary vineyard block background information.

While it is still early days in terms of results, Marc and Laure have already been able to finetune some of the necessary information for next year, as the plan is to expand the database over the next few years to capture the annual differences.

“This first year of the research we probably included too many

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21

The Year That Was January/February

WINEPRESS Issue No. 200 / February 2011

Economic Future

Pre Vintage Check

Predict Brix

Chinese Market

• Plans were underway for Rugby World Cup events. Hard to think back that far isn’t it?

• John Ballingall from NZEIR predicted economically the worst was over, but a bumpy road ahead was still likely.

• We were heading towards a very early vintage given weather conditions during these two months.

• With vintage just around the corner, we provided advice on pre checking the winery.

• NMIT, MSD and local industry members established a new cellar hand course in Marlborough – with great success.

WINEPRESS Issue No. 201 / March 2011

Marlborough Integrity

Wine Festival

Eutypa Dieback

Cane vs Spur

Photo: Jim Tannock

The Official Magazine of

www.wine-marlborough.co.nz

March: • A call for integrity leading into Vintage. NZW wanted tonnages down to around 265,000 tonnes and other industry members warned New Zealand could go the way of Australia unless it was more judicious.

• Cane pruning versus spur pruning was a feature this month.

Two viticulturists suggested it was a lower yield solution for most varieties – but maybe not Sauvignon Blanc.

• The Marlborough created Langlois Vine Stripper creates waves in other wine producing countries.

• A visit from Victoria Moore, keen to promote New Zealand Chardonnays back in the UK.

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Photo: Jim Tannock

The Official Magazine of

www.wine-marlborough.co.nz

April:

WINEPRESS Issue No. 202 / April 2011

• Following on from the devastating Christchurch earthquake, we provided advice on how to prevent serious damage in wineries here in Marlborough.

• Benjamin Lewin MW visited the region, gathering information

Earthquake Advice

Benjamin Lewin MW

Protecting Wine

Marlborough Success

for his latest book (now out). He was suitably impressed with the Pinot Noirs here and the sub regional differences.

• Spur pruning has proved to be fruitful on Sauvignon Blanc for an Awatere viticulturist who has been alternating the trellising systems on his block. He believes yields are easier managed with spur.

• In a SWNZ update we provided all the necessary information on the new Management of Winery Waste.

WINEPRESS Issue No. 203 / May 2011

Master Sommeliers

Photo: Jim Tannock

The Official Magazine of

Marlborough Success

Training Systems

Pacific Prime Wines

www.wine-marlborough.co.nz

May: • US Master Sommeliers visit Marlborough and believe our dessert wines and Pinot Noir could be very attractive to American consumers.

• A new optical grape sorting machine is put to the test at Wither Hills and passes with flying colours.

• Pacific Prime Wines, which includes two Marlborough companies, Lake Chalice and Forrest Estate, takes the innovative move of establishing their own US importing company.

• Neal Ibbotson is awarded the Lincoln Bledisloe Medal for his services to the wine industry.

Photo: Jim Tannock

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The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

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June:

WINEPRESS Issue No. 204 / June 2011

• David Cox, NZW man on the ground in the UK, says we need to ban the words Savvy and Sav Blanc in order to promote the noble origins of our wine.

• Marlborough is one of the most recognisable regions in the

Website Advice

Selling to The U.K.

Organic Growth

Marlborough Success

wine world according to a seminar at the London International Wine Fair – but we need to do more to market it.

• Water sensitive papers prove their worth in a trying growing season.

• Monty Waldin – a wine writer dedicated to biodynamics and organics is impressed with the movement here in Marlborough.

• Wineries are warned they need to pay more attention to their websites if they want to stay in business.

WINEPRESS Issue No. 205 / July 2011

Pinot Shoulders

Photo: Jim Tannock

The Official Magazine of

Sub Regionality

Vintage 2011

Selling Provenance

www.wine-marlborough.co.nz

July: • Vintage 2011 figures are released showing Marlborough produced a total of 245,000 tonnes – 75% of the country’s total. 205,969 tonnes of that was Sauvignon Blanc.

• Philip Gregan said the increase in yield was a blessing in disguise given stocks were perilously low.

• NZW Grape Day looked at variability in the vineyard.

Research on Pinot Noir shoulder bunches threw up some interesting facts.

• David Cox from the UK advices the industry to focus on Sustainability – “It should be locked into our DNA.” • Marcus Pickens is the inaugural recipient of the NZ-UK Link Foundation, Wine Marlborough – John Avery Scholarship.

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Photo: Jim Tannock

The Official Magazine of

www.wine-marlborough.co.nz

August:

WINEPRESS Issue No. 206 / August 2011

• Winepress celebrated its 20th anniversary, with a retrospective look at the industry and the magazine over those two decades.

• Nielsen Research shows Australians love our Sauvignon Blanc – but there is still room for growth.

• Exporters Forum (held in Blenheim) speakers focus on China and the US. Both are tough markets – but hold huge potential.

• A workshop on Powdery Mildew shows it’s possible to prevent an epidemic, with early intervention.

• James Bowskill is announced as the Marlborough Young Viticulturist of the Year.

WINEPRESS Issue No. 207 / September 2011

Bragato 2011

Photo: Jim Tannock

The Official Magazine of

Sauvignon Symposium

MAF Report

Brand Marlborough

www.wine-marlborough.co.nz

September: • Former Wine Marlborough Chair Peter McAtamney says in Australia, Marlborough sells 6 times as much volume of wine as any Australian region.

• Annual MAF report into Marlborough shows prices have dropped but grower revenue increased slightly.

• Wine Marlborough Team take out the national title at Silver Secateurs.

• Fabian Partigliani from Pernod Ricard believes Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc could be New Zealand’s “next big thing.”

• Austrian Wine Marketing MD Willie Klinger wants Marlborough to hold next Sauvignon Blanc symposium.

Photo: Jim Tannock

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The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

www.wine-marlborough.co.nz

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October:

WINEPRESS Issue No. 208 / October 2011

• Growers warned to ignore Leafroll Virus 3 at their peril.

• Three of Australia’s top sommeliers get a first hand look at Marlborough and leave impressed with the points of difference emerging.

Leafroll Virus 3

Generation Y-ine

Marlborough Wine Show

Three Sommeliers

• The first Marlborough Wine Show is held in the region – and proves a success.

• Yealands Estate merge with Ager Sectus and become the country’s 6th largest producer.

• Growers and wine companies are experimenting with small plantings of new varieties in Marlborough.

• Dave Clouston and Nadine Worley are among the 10 finalists in the Australasian Young Winemaker competition.

WINEPRESS Issue No. 209 / November 2011

Latest MW

Photo: Jim Tannock

The Official Magazine of

Heritage Centre Opens

Lifetime Achievement

Corks v Screwcaps

www.wine-marlborough.co.nz

November: • Marlborough Wine Weekend attracts 300 media and trade.

• Phil Rose from Wairau River is presented the Wine Marlborough Lifetime Achievement Award.

• New Zealand’s latest MW, Emma Jenkins, focuses on sub regional Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc in her 10,000 word dissertation.

• Local research shows the effects of Leafroll Virus 3 on Sauvignon Blanc.

• Brancott Estate opens its new Heritage Centre, with the help of Prime Minister John Key.

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The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

Photo: Jim Tannock

The Official Magazine of

www.wine-marlborough.co.nz

Wine Happenings A monthly list of events within the Marlborough wine industry.

To have your event included in next month’s calendar please email details to tessa.nicholson@me.com JANUARY 3

Vino and Victuals – Cromwell Wine and Food Festival – Cromwell, Central Otago

20

Royal Easter Show Wine Awards – Closing date for entries

26 – 28

Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration 2012

31 – Feb 4 International Cool Climate Symposium – Hobart, Tasmania. Registrations at www.winetasmania.com.au/iccs FEBRUARY 1 – 4

Sommelier Certification Levels 1 & 2 – Villa Maria Training and Function Rooms – Auckland. Contact, Cameron Douglas; Cameron@guildsommnz.org

4

Blues, Brews and BBQs – Blenheim

11

Marlborough Wine and Food Festival – Brancott Estate Vineyard.

13 – 27

WSET Level 2 Certificate – Auckland. Details – www.nzsws.co.nz

23

Classic Hits Winery Tour – featuring Gin Wigmore, The Mutton Birds and Avalanche City. Villa Maria Estate. Tickets available www.ticketmater.co.nz

25

Sydney International Wine Competition Banquet

•

Dinner and Trophies announced – Sydney. Details www.top100wines.com MARCH 3

Waipara Valley wine and Food Festival – Mud

•

House Winery and Café. Details www.waiparawine. co.nz 10

Dogpoint/Logan Brown Classic Kiwi Picnic. At Dogpoint Vineyard. Tickets limited – details at info@ dogpoint.co.nz

24

Royal Easter Show Wine Awards Dinner – Auckland.

The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

12/2011 WINEPRESS

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Accolades A big few months for Marlborough producers, starting with the Cathay Pacific Wine Show held as part of the Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Fair.

Robinson. But they are looking for assurance, confidence and direction. Winning an award in say Auckland or Adelaide won’t mean a hell of a lot, but if you say this wine won a medal or trophy for matching with Peking Duck – they can relate to that.”

This is a very important show for New Zealand producers,

Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2011

given all the judges, bar two, are Asian born and based. They

Label and Litho Champion Sauvignon Blanc - Dashwood

are judging the wines not only on quality but also on how they

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011

would match with certain styles of Asian food. New Zealand

Wineworks Champion Sparkling Wine - The Sounds

and Marlborough in particular has always done well in this

Marlborough Méthode Traditionnelle 2008

event – and 2011 was no exception. More than 1700 wines were

Guala Closures NZ Champion Pinot Gris - Spy Valley

entered into the competition, which makes Marlborough’s four

Marlborough Pinot Gris 2011

trophies even more significant.

New World Champion Open White Wine - Dashwood

Best NZ Sauvignon Blanc – Invivo

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011-

Newstalk ZB Champion Exhibition White or Sparkling Wine -

Best Sauvignon Blanc – Invivo Marlborough

Lawson’s Dry Hills The Pioneer Marlborough Gewürztraminer

Sauvignon Blanc 2011

2010

New World Pinot Noir – Framingham Pinot

The Langham, Auckland Champion Dessert Wine - Charles

Noir 2009

Wiffen Late Harvest Marlborough Riesling 2009

Best Pinot Noir – Framingham Pinot Noir

Air New Zealand Champion Wine of the Show 2011 - Villa Maria

2009

Single Vineyard Keltern Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2010

Hong Kong Sommelier Christian Pillsbury

IWSC

said winning golds and trophies at a

Marisco Vineyards was named New Zealand Winery of the Year

competition such as this is an important

at the International Wine and Spirits Challenge in London last

marketing tool, given many “new” consumers

month.

are looking for guidance when buying wine.

Having a gold medal or trophy sticker on the bottle could be the difference between a sale or not.

“There are different levels of sophistication among consumers. Some people are spending as much time in restaurants in Paris and New York as they are in Hong Kong – they are global citizens and maybe trophies don’t mean quite as much to these people. On the other side, there are so many people who are new to wine, they don’t travel very much, they may not even speak English. They don’t know who Robert Parker is or Jancis

CLASSIFIEDS RIESLING VINES FOR SALE. I have 550 x Riesling GM 19819 vines for sale. Price by negotiation. They were brought from Riversun this season but they were not required. They have been keep in a cool store at 4 deg since arriving at Neudorf and can be keep in there until late December.

Give me a call or drop me an email if you are interested. richard@neudorf.co.nz or 021577712 FOR SALE - Approximately 150 tonnes of Sauvignon Blanc.

Vineyards located in Godfrey Rd, root stock 101/14 and Cravens Rd. Vines are approximately 6 years old.

Phone 0274 349 951 / 03 575 6819. Email bookings@ woodsidecottage.co.nz

Disclaimer: The views and articles that are expressed and appear in Winepress are those entirely those of contributors and in no way reflect the policy of the Marlborough Winegrowers. Any advice given, implied or suggested should be considered on its merits, and no responsibility can be taken for problems arising from the use of such information.

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The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

not rot to this story. a lot of

We’ve been working with Bacillus subtilis strain KTS for four years, with the aim of developing a treatment that gave growers high levels of disease control at a significantly lower cost than similar overseas products.

Donaghys Managing Director Jeremy Silva

Botrytis Control Two years of trials with FoliActive were undertaken in the Hawkes Bay by a Crown Research Institute. These trials showed that when FoliActive was applied from veraison through to harvest (as a followon to the standard fungicide programme) botrytis was controlled to a level equivalent to a full season chemical fungicide programme, but without leaving fungicide residues.

Be proactive with Donaghys FoliActive • Botrytis and Powdery Mildew control • Rapid and successful colonisation of beneficial bacteria on the plant • Foliar fertiliser component boosts general vine condition • Nil witholding At Donaghys we take pride in what we offer and stand behind all the products we supply

Registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997 No. 007785

IDEATION-DON0213-MW

Freephone 0800 942 006 www.donaghys.com

Following six seasons of commercial use in New Zealand, Quintec has demonstrated reliable protection of grapes against powdery mildew.

Quintec fungicide brings Christmas cheer!

While Quintec is looking after your grapes during the Christmas holiday period, Fruitfed Supplies and Dow AgroSciences would like to look after you!

Our popular Christmas promotion is running again this year with a $50 New World gift voucher offered with every five litres of Quintec purchased during the promotion leading up to Christmas.

Conditions apply, so talk to your local Fruitfed Supplies representative for details.

What is Quintec Fungicide?

Quintec is a unique protectant fungicide that offers outstanding control of powdery mildew in grapes. Quintec belongs to a unique chemical group the quinolines, and exhibits no cross resistance to any fungicides currently used for powdery mildew control.

• Quintec provides superior protection of grapevines compared with sulphur

• Equally effective in hot and cold temperatures and rainfast in one hour. This means Quintec is ideal for use prior to flowering when weather conditions maybe variable

• Extended vapour action ensures outstanding bunch protection

• Higher use rates allow extended spray intervals. Relax over the summer holidays

• NO residues in wine—can be used up to veraison (WHP is 35 days)

™ Trademark of Dow AgroSciences (NZ) Ltd. Quintec is registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997, No P7296