Enthusiasts are saying it's the vintage of the century in Hawke's Bay.
Enthusiasts are saying it's the vintage of the century in Hawke's Bay.
You'd need to have been hiding under a rock for the past year to not have noticed the glee among wine enthusiasts about the gloriousness that is the Hawke's Bay 2013 vintage.
Now you have a chance to get your mits on some exclusive, wines from "the vintage of thecentury".
This Saturday, November 8, is the 23rd annual Hawke's Bay Charity Fine Wine Auction, the oldest such event in New Zealand and the only auction that specialises in wines exclusively from one region.
This year 41 lots have been donated for an event that's raised more than $2 million for Cranford Hospice.
I'll be heading to the pre-auction tasting and food fest inside the Cheval Rooms at the Hawke's Bay Racing Centre in Hastings from 2.30pm.
Where else can you taste 39 amazing wines, eat food and listen to groovy music for just $20?
At 5pm I'll head next door for the auction. So cuddle up with a bunch of mates, combine your cash and collectively bid on a barrel even. Plus there's a holiday in Vanuatu and an absolutely stunning landscape painting by Freeman White, one of New Zealand's rising art stars, ready for a new home.
You don't need to be a local as phone and absentee bidders are always welcome.
To register contact Annabel on 0274 306373, email annabel@smithandco.net.nz or download forms at cranfordhospice.org.nz
Old Mout, new tricks
One of New Zealand's favourite ciders has downsized, but in a good way.
Since 1947 Old Mout Cider has been made in Nelson's Moutere Valley, but for many years, the only way to buy it has been in 1.25lt PET bottles.
However, if you'd rather have only a refreshing sip or seven rather than an entire flagon-load, they've put out their classic Boysencider and award-winning Passionfruit & Cider in rather more demure 500ml glass bottles.
Keeping things local, they've also roped in Nelson artist Jane Smith of Chocolate Dog Studio to draw the dinky, fruity illustrations on the labels.
Statistically speaking
The numbers are out and it's estimated that the world produced 270,864mhl (volume in thousands of hectolitres) of wine this year.
France took top spot at 46,151mhl, squeaking ahead of its rival Italy at 44,424mhl.
The International Organisation of Vine and Wine says 80 per cent of the world's wine is produced by just 10 countries.
New Zealand is 14th on the list and even though we're looking to set a record of 3.2mhl (an increase of 29 per cent on the previous 2013 record of 2.5mhl).
However, that's just a drop in the ocean compared with the big-gun producers of Europe, the United States, Argentina, Australia and China.
Gin fans ahoy
Quite possibly the coolest packaging I've seen in a long time belongs to the newest, locally produced artisan gin on the market. Rogue Society is its name, the brainchild of Mark Neal and his brother-in-law Daniel McLaughlin.
In addition to juniper berries, 11 other botanicals - including cassia bark, orris root, cardamom, angelica root, citrus peels and liquorice - have been blended with Southern Alps waters and distilled in a 19th-century John Dore copper still to create a gin that's already scooped shiny medals at competitions locally and internationally.
EXCEPTIONAL: Enthusiasts are saying it's the vintage of the century in Hawke's Bay.
It is individually numbered and encased in black glass with encouraging messages stamped on the neck ribbon such as "a good friend will always stab you in the front".
The gin tastes superb - exotically aromatic with pressed flowers, dried herbs and sweet spices. In the mouth it's seamlessly smooth, saucy and warming, yet intense citrus, juniper and nutmeg notes wrap each sip up nicely.
1/2Sexy and bronzed in the glass, this achingly good dessert wine is scented with orange peel, marzipan, honey and cinnamon. Luscious, tangy, tangelo and toffee flavours and a long, luxurious finish make this sweet wine a new favourite for me. hawkesridge.co.nz
1/2Crafted from a blend of 82 per cent merlot and 18 per cent syrah, this deliciously dry debut rosé from Craggy Range will storm through summer I'm sure. It's a delicate, French-style example with raspberry, melon and creaming soda aromas and a lean, taut, berry and spice finish. craggyrange.com
Aronui Nelson Gruner Veltliner 2014, $24
1/2It smells like a lemon-soaked peach sitting in a bed of white flowers, yet on the palate it has crisp, crunchy acidity, stony, oyster shell notes and a dry, citrus and mineral finish. This is the debut Gruner from Aronui and I'd love to try it in another year or so to see how it develops. aronuiwines.co.nz
Coto de Hayas Camp de Borja Tempranillo Cabernet, $19
This is one dangerously drinkable, spicy Spanish red which oozes plum and black forest flavours. I love the fresh cocoa and pepper notes coming through, and the plump tannins and warm mouthfeel. If I were a steak I'd be very afraid. For stockists visit www.macvine.co.nz
