Posts in Category: New Zealand

New Zealand: Sauvignon Blanc and Beyond

Richard Bampfield MW

Whilst presenting us with one wine made from Sauvignon Blanc and two others made from Pinot Noir, Richard’s underlying theme for the evening was to introduce Club members to top quality wines made from grapes other than the two ubiquitous grape varieties most of us would usually associate with New Zealand. In his introduction he highlighted how New Zealand wines now ‘punch above their weight’ despite a wine industry that has only really developed since the late 1980s. Furthermore, this has been achieved with just 40,000 hectares of vines; a third of the size of Bordeaux.

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A Pinot Noir and Riesling Taste Off

with Richard Bampfield MW

Well known to the Club and a stalwart of the ‘Call my Bluff’ evenings, Richard Bampfield introduced the tasting by confessing that for long periods he had not tasted Rieslings, indeed to such an extent that when he led a visit to Alsace some years ago, one attendee commented that Richard did not know much about the wine! However, in the intervening years he had begun to appreciate greatly the qualities of Riesling and Pinot Noir, in their differing expressions. Richard had recently visited both the Mosel and New Zealand, so his interest in and enthusiasm for these areas directed his selections for the tasting.

The tasting was structured to show the differing aspects of Riesling and Pinot Noir and how they will reflect the terroir, if the winemakers allow the grapes to do so. Richard commented that Riesling is the wine that ‘professionals drink and no one else understands’!

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‘The Family of Twelve’ – artisanal wine from New Zealand

presented by Peter McCombie MW

Thanks to the generosity of New Zealand's 'Family of XII' and the down to earth knowledge and presenting skills of Peter McCombie MW the Club enjoyed a remarkable tasting of New Zealand wines.

An almost full house of members gathered at Lady Margaret Hall on 20 March 2017 and was rewarded by a splendid evening.

Much more than a tasting of a dozen fascinating wines, the evening provided a wonderfully precise sketch of New Zealand's short history as a wine-making nation, its regions and soils, its wine-makers and wine personalities - all in ninety minutes. A rare feat indeed.

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