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3 November 2008

Glasses being polished for New Zealand Cabernet Merlot forum

Organisers of the inaugural New Zealand Cabernet Merlot Forum being held on Thursday and Friday this week are making final preparations that include taking delivery of 1000 wine glasses, many cases of wine, numerous spittoons, and uploading presentations onto computer from the myriad of world renowned speakers attending.

Being held at the Hawke’s Bay Opera House, the national forum hosted by Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Inc. is the first for this wine category held in New Zealand and has attracted registrations from around the country as growers and winemakers aim to learn what they can do to produce and market these wines to the world.

Billed as a celebration of New Zealand Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and their blends, the line up of speakers includes some of the world’s leading authorities on the varietals, said Peter Cowley, chief winemaker at Te Mata Estate and one of the organisers.

“New Zealand has a proud history with these grape varieties which goes back over 100 years. From Hawke’s Bay north our red vineyards are dominated by plantings of Merlot and this is a not-to-be missed opportunity for growers and producers to learn how to take full advantage of the demand for quality Cabernet Merlot wines locally and in export markets,” Mr Cowley said.

Topics including vineyard soils, new clones, and new and traditional growing and making techniques will be covered by acknowledged experts and leading makers of Cabernet Merlot including James Lawther MW, Nick Stock and Pete Bissell. 

James Lawther, a celebrated wine writer with a coveted Master of Wine based in France, will present an address on Bordeaux and what changes are taking place in the ‘Old World’ today.

Nick Stock is one of Australia’s most respected wine critics and prolific wine writers and will be addressing new directions for New Zealand and international wines while Pete Bissell, noted Australian winemaker from Balnaves Winery, Coonawarra, will address the Australian experience of Cabernet Merlot.
Delegates will also get the opportunity to sample local and imported wines selected by the guest speakers to demonstrate the impressive level achieved over a range of styles.

There are a few places still available and registrations can be made at the website www.cabernetmerlotforum.co.nz.

ENDS
For further information contact:
Lyn Bevin
Executive Officer
Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Inc.
Phone 876 3418 or 027 621 7891

One forgets just how fine New Zealand’s Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends can be, particularly in Hawke’s Bay..”   Neal Martin, Writer for Robert Parker, May 2008. Neal Martin, Writer for Robert Parker, May 2008.

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