24 January 2011
Hawkes Bay leads Syrah claim as third most important NZ grape
Syrah was heralded as New Zealand‟s third most important grape variety after Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, and Hawke‟s Bay was acknowledged as the country‟s leading producer at the recent Annual Trade Tasting event in London.
Now into its 30th year, the New Zealand Winegrowers-hosted London event allows UK and European wine trade and press to taste a wide selection of New Zealand wines currently available in the UK, as well as those seeking representation, with the objective of promoting and facilitating sales.
Patrick Materman, chief winemaker from Brancott‟s Estate (formerly Montana Estate) told online wine magazine, The Drinks Business covering the event that Syrah was going to become more and more dominant in New Zealand.
Held in The Nursey Pavilion, Lord's Cricket Ground, the event featured four self-pour tables. On the „New Zealand Syrah – The one to watch!‟ table there were a dozen wines, with 10 coming from Hawke‟s Bay.
Hawke‟s Bay wineries who put their best Syrah foot forward were Craggy Range and Wild Rock, Bilancia, Crossroads, Cypress Wines, Elephant Hill, Esk Valley, Lime Rock, Sacred Hill, Te Mata Estate, Trinity Hill, Vidal Estate. In addition, Forrest Wines, Selaks, Tinpot Hut, and Villa Maria all presented Syrah produced from Hawke‟s Bay.
A number of these wineries also presented Merlot and Hawke‟s Bay red blend wines..
Hawke‟s Bay also featured highly on the „Table of the Unexpected – surprising varietals from New Zealand‟.
The line up included The Trinity Hill Arneis HB 2008, Trinity Hill Montepulciano HB 2010, Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Tempranillo HB 2008,Esk Valley Verdelho HB 2010, Esk Valley Chenin Blanc HB 2009, Black Barn Montepulciano HB 2009, Black Barn Tempranillo HB 2009 and Te Awa Pinotage HB 2007.
Hawke‟s Bay wines were also found on the Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay tables.
“The objective of this hugely prestigious London tasting is to show the diversity and depth of the New Zealand wine industry and Hawke‟s Bay excelled. Our strength is in the region‟s ability to produce quality wines across a wide range of varieties and this was clearly evident," says Lyn Bevin, Executive Officer of Hawke‟s Bay Winegrowers Inc, the regional wine industry organisation.
For further information contact:
Lyn Bevin, Executive Officer Hawke‟s Bay Winegrowers Inc.
Phone 876 3418
