Friday, June 12, 2009

New Zealand Wine Tasting

Last night we held our New Zealand wine tasting in the lovely Gallery Café in the Galway City museum, many thanks to Elaine of the Gallery Café for having us. A big thank you also to Joyce Austin of New Zealand Boutique Wines, our guest for the evening. Joyce is currently living in New Zealand and works on the ground with many of the producers whose wines that were on the evening. The following is a list of the wines tried.

All of these wines are also part of our 48 hour Special New Zealand promotion.

The Whites

Greenhough Sauvignon Blanc 2008, 20% off was €16.95 now €13.56

The Greenhough wines come from Nelson an area in the North of New Zealand’s South Island not far from Marlborough. Whites from Nelson tend to be a bit rounder and fuller than those from Marlborough. This particular wine offers citrus and finishes with bright acidity and mouth-watering zest. Really outclasses many of its rivals from Marlborough.

Waipara Springs Sauvignon Blanc 2008 20% off was €14.95 now €11.96

Clean and focused backed up by crisp ripe acidity and concentration. Pungent aromas of passion fruit, spearmint and lime complement a rich palate with focused acidity and great length.

Muddy Water Sauvignon Blanc 2008, 20% off was €16.95 now €13.56

This wine displays green capsicum, gooseberry and tropical fruit flavour not as grassy as some of its compatriots. This has an almost eternal texture and a truly satisfying finish. If you love Sancerre this is a must try wine! This wine different in style from many of the well known New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs and because of this was many peoples favourite Sauvignon of the night.

Muddy Water Chardonnay 2006, 20% off was €24.95 now €19.96

A Woodberrys Icon this fantastic wine is matured for 11 months in French oak barriques. It is an elegant, rich and youthful wine with grapefruit-like, gently oaked, slightly buttery flavours and fresh and lively acidity, this is a fantastic food wine. A steal at this price!

Greenhough 'Hope Vineyard' Chardonnay 2006, 20% off was €21.95 now €17.56

This impressive single vineyard wine surprised many last night and was probably a close tie with the Muddy Water Sauvignon Blanc as most impressive white tried on the evening. It has a pale straw colour and has hints of cream and butterscotch. It is delicate yet complex with ripe, citrusy slightly minerally nutty flavours and a wonderfully texture and fresh acidity.

The Reds

Waipara Springs Pinot Noir 2008, 20% off was €17.95 now €14.36

This delicate fresh young wine has an almost rosé colour, it exhibits fresh red berry fruits like cherry and raspberries. This combines with minerality and concentration on the palate make this wine a wonderful fresh red. A great way to try this would be to slightly chill it and enjoy it on a warm summer evening.

Greenhough Pinot Noir 2007, 20% off was €19.95 now €15.96

Lots of fruit flavour, with nice tannins and a seductive juicy finish. This is an extremely food friendly pinot. This wine drinks like a charm, with a core of succulent fruit and a spicy, herbal complexity. It has a lingering savoury finish. A real Bargin at this price!

Waipara Springs ‘Premo’ Pinot Noir 2007, 20% off was €23.95 now €19.16

This wine recently got 93 points in The Wine Spector. And you can see why this wine is smooth and beautifully focused. It has delicous cream accented currant and blueberry flavours with a hint of nutmeg leading to a long lingering expressive finsih finish.

Greenhough ‘Hope Vineyard’ Pinot Noir 2005, 20% off was €32.95 now €26.36

The Greenhough Hope vineyard pinot noir ranks among New Zealands top pinots. And with this wine you could see why, it is blessed with a nose of brambles, dark cherry and exotic spices. the palate is densely concentrated mix of berry and hints of cocoa, licorice and spice. All this blends together to create an exceptional pinot noir.

Muddy Water ‘Slow Hand’ Pinot Noir 2006, 20% off was €27.95 now €22.36

This Single vineyard wine from Muddy Water deep rich cherry red colour, with a soft preserved plum and red leather with a hint of forest floor character on the nose. this wine has a wonderful silky texture with a fine and savoury palate. The finish is long and persistent.

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