Wine and dine in Marlborough

MEGAN SINGLETON gets a taste of what's on offer at this year's wine extravaganza in Marlborough.

The Annual Marlborough wine festival will once again showcase its distinctive flavours, accompanied by gourmet food and smooth jazz in the Brancott Estate Vineyard, on Saturday February 9.

Think Marlborough and you would be forgiven for thinking sauvignon blanc, the taste that has secured the region firmly on the international wine map over the past two decades.

But the diversity of this, the largest wine-growing region in New Zealand, runs far deeper. With long, sunny days and cool, crisp nights, the stony Wairau River flats also lend themselves to toasty chardonnay, zesty riesling and ruby-red pinot noir, as well as pinot gris, cabernet sauvignon and merlot. All these will be showcased by 39 wineries standing shoulder to shoulder in one of three super-top marquees in one venue.

The involvement of sponsor BMW has revamped the Wine Marlborough Festival from hoi polloi to high society, and this year there will be prizes for best-dressed.

Up to 7000 people from around the world will enjoy sampling more than 190 wines while savouring the atmosphere, food and live music - and learning a few trade secrets at one of the seminars.

Meeting the winemakers and owners, tasting their wares and spinning a few yarns is a highlight. And these internationally renowned viticulturists and winemakers are only too happy to give beginners and connoisseurs alike the opportunity to appreciate the varied and complex flavours of Marlborough.

Food aficionados will find venison, salmon, wild pork, whitebait and greenshell mussels, as well as sushi, pasta, cheeses, iced cherries and fresh fruit.

Educational and informative tutorials are back again this year, and classes have doubled in size after their sellout success last year. A new feature is a wine options event to test festivalgoers' skills at recognising different wines.

Wine Master Classes provide an in-depth look at technical aspects of wine, from blending through to reasons for flavour, bouquet and colour. Last year, budding winemakers tried their hand at blending their own pinot noir, and this year they can try chardonnay.

The Beginner's Guide to Wine is a light-hearted look at flavours and aromas designed to help novice drinkers develop their palates and learn what to expect from different wines.

The popular Prenzel Distilling Cuisine Classic is also back, in which top New Zealand chefs prepare a selection of dishes, complement them with wine, and the class can enjoy eating the freshly prepared meal.

The natural amphitheatre at Brancott provides the perfect stage for live music and entertainment. The festival starts at noon each day and continues until 8 pm, ensuring visitors can enjoy jazz against a beautiful sunset.

Dry hills, clear skies and vines stretching to the mountains will make you want to linger in this gorgeous part of New Zealand - and there are plenty of other activities to check out before you leave.

Blenheim is also famous for its arts and crafts, ranging from roadside cottages to export-quality products, and for evening dining it boasts everything from fish and chips to international culinary delights.

Visitors can also hire a car or join an organised tour to some of the other world-famous wineries and pick up a few examples to take home.

BMW Marlborough wine festival

Saturday, February 9, Brancott Estate Vineyard, Blenheim, Noon - 8pm.

Admission $30
Phone 0800 228800
Email: winemarlborough@xtra.co.nz
Website: Wine Marlborough

Getting there

Fly to Blenheim with Air NZ
For airfares which includes festival tickets, ph 0800 737000.

Fly to Wellington and join the festival package on the Lynx or InterIsland Line ferry to Picton, Transfers to and from the festival included.

Accommodation

For boutique hotels, motels, cosy homestays, backpackers and campsites contact the Marlborough Information and Travel centre, ph 03 573 7477.
E-mail pvic@destinationmarlborough.com

Winery Tours

DeLuxe Wine Tour, ph 0800 500511
E-mail: deluxetravel@xtra.co.nz

Website: DeLuxe Travel


Highlight Tours, ph 03 577 9046

E-mail: highlight.tours@xtra.co.nz

Website: Highlight Tours


Marlborough Travel, ph 0800 99 0800
Email: marlboroughtravel@xtra.co.nz

Website: Marlborough Travel


The Sounds Connection, ph 0800 742 866
Website: The Sounds Connection