11 August 2012

All medals of New Zealand




Recent New Zealand wine tasting was very much in tune with the ongoing Olympic Games. Not only did it take place in London but also gathered this year's Gold, Silver, Bronze and Trophy medal winning wines from four major London based wine competitions: Decanter World Wine Awards, International Wine Challenge, Internationals Wine & Spirit Competition, and Sommelier Wine Awards.

New Zealand is as well known for its wines as for the sports. All Blacks and Sauvignon Blanc are the flagship brands, but there is quite more than that.
In the history of the Modern Olympic Games, statistically, they have been most successful with water sports (rowing, sailing, canoeing, swimming), and athletics. And even though rugby has been absent from the Games since 1924, it’s been given a green light for the next ones in Rio de Janeiro for its rugby sevens variant. This year, the country is represented by 185 athletes and as I write they have already won 13 medals (5 gold, 3 silver, 5 bronze).
The event featured 98 wines representing nearly 34,000ha of vineyards distributed across the country from Northland to Central Otago (full list below). Despite being a producer with relatively small area under vine, its versatility, global presence and reconcilability are impressive. With Sauvignon Blanc in the lead, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Merlot, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewürztraminer, Syrah, Semillon are other key grape varieties that have been gradually conquering palates worldwide.
The tasting was a line-up of almost exclusively single variety wines. This says a lot about the winemaking profile of the country and current market trends. Single variety wines seem to be the best expression of the country’s produce but by no means does it signify an easier approach to winemaking. Great diversity of microclimates and soils that add so much to the tasting experience is a major challenge for the producers. Tasting a dozen or so wines from the same grape reveals different winemaking styles, aromas, flavours, complexity – even within the same region, not to mention across the country. There’s plenty to choose from for all types of palates. Razor sharp and bone dry, or round and creamy, and rich whites with great aromatic range. Delicate, subtle, fruity and elegant, or full bodied, spicy and chewy reds.
From the 18th floor of the New Zealand House we could see the beach volleyball venue. Women playing, so just imagine the cheering (read: screaming) of the spectators. The organizer was very kind to provide binoculars to enjoy a spectacular view of the city. The court itself was not visible, which in a way was good because the players might have stolen some thunder from the wine.


Below is a complete list of tasted wines including recommended retail prices:

1. Lindauer Blanc De Blancs New Zealand NV (£11,99)
                Silver IWC                                               
2. Quartz Reef Méthode Traditionnelle Central Otago NV (£17,00)
                Silver Sommelier Wine Awards                                            
3. Hunter's MiruMiru Marlborough NV (£17,95)
                Silver DWWA                                        
4. No. 1 Family Estate Cuvée Number 8 Marlborough NV (£19,49)
                Trophy New Zealand Sparkling IWC                                    
5. Matua Valley Single Vineyard Home Block Riesling Marlborough 2011 (£12,99)
                Silver IWC                                             
6. Spy Valley Riesling Marlborough 2011 (£12,81)
                Silver DWWA                                        
7. Seifried Riesling Nelson 2011 (£10,99)
                Silver DWWA                                        
8. Toi Toi Reserve Riesling Marlborough 2010 (£13,99)
                Gold Best in Class IWSC 2011                                             
9. Greystone Riesling Waipara Valley 2011 (£12.00 (£15.00)
                Trophy New Zealand Riesling over £10 DWWA                                 
10. Essenze Pinot Gris Waipara Valley 2011 (£11,99)
                Silver DWWA                                        
11. Ra Nui Pinot Gris Wairau Valley, Marlborough 2011-₤12.95)
                Silver IWC                                             
12. Yealands Estate Pinot Gris Awatere Valley, Marlborough 2010 (£11,99)
                Gold and By the Glass Selection Sommelier Wine Awards                                              
13. Greystone Wines Sand Dollar Pinot Gris Waipara Valley 2011 (£10.00 (£12.00)
                Silver DWWA                                        
14. Artisan Far Paddock Pinot Gris Marlborough 2009 (£13,99)
                Silver DWWA                                        
15. Invivo Pinot Gris Marlborough 2011 (£14,99)
                Silver DWWA                                        
16. Macrocarpa Pinot Gris Marlborough 2011 (£16,00)
                Silver IWC                                             
17. Te Mara Pinot Gris Central Otago 2010 (£12,00)
                Silver Sommelier Wine Awards                                          
18. Woollaston Estates Pinot Gris 2011 (£12,49)
                Silver IWC                                             
19. Waimea Estates Gewürztraminer Nelson 2011 (£10,99)
                Silver IWC                                             
20. Lawson's Dry Hills Gewürztraminer Marlborough 2010 (£12,49)
                Silver IWC                                             
21. Lawson's Dry Hills The Pioneer Gewürztraminer Marlborough 2009 (£14,00)
                Gold, Sommelier Wine Awards                                          
22. Millton Riverpoint Vineyard Viognier Gisborne 2010 (£12,99)
                Silver IWC                                             
23. Brancott Estate Letter Series 'R' Sauvignon Gris Marlborough 2011 (£12,99)
                Silver DWWA                                        
24. Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 (£9,99)
                Silver IWC                                             
25. The Ned Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 (£9,99)
                Trophy New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc under £10 DWWA                                 
26. 900 Grapes Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 (£9,99)
                Gold DWWA                                         
27. Esk Valley Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 (£9,99)
                Gold Sommelier Wine Awards                                           
28. Shingle Peak Reserve Release Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 (£10,99)
                Gold IWC & DWWA                                             
29. Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 (£11,39)
                Gold Sommelier Wine Awards                                            
30. Babich Black Label Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 (£11,69)
                Silver DWWA                                        
31. Hunter's Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 (£11,99)
                Bronze DWWA                                     
32. Jackson Estate Stich Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 (price not available)
                Silver DWWA                                        
33. Stanley Estates Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 (£12,50)
                Gold DWWA                                         
34. Marisco The King's Favour Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 (£12,99)
                Gold IWC                                              
35. Marisco The Kings Favour Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2010 (£12,99)
                Silver DWWA                                        
36. Marks & Spencer Single Block Series S1 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 by Yealands (£12,99)
                Trophy International Sauvignon Blanc & Trophy White Marlborough IWC                       
37. Villa Maria Reserve Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 (£13,99)
                Gold IWC                                              
38. Vidal Reserve Series Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 (£13,99)
                Gold IWC                                              
39. Nobilo Icon Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 (£13,99)
                Silver Sommelier Wine Awards                                          
40. Craggy Range Avery Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 (£12.99 - £14.99)
                Gold Sommelier Wine Awards                                           
41. Tarras Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 (£14,50)
                Gold IWC                                              
42. Stoneleigh  Rapaura Series Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 (£14,99)
                Silver IWC                                             
43. Astrolabe Wines Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 (£15,95)
                Silver DWWA                                        
44. Saint Clair Family Estate Pioneer Block Snap Block 18 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 (£17,99)
                Gold DWWA                                         
45. Clos Henri Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 (£20,49)
                Silver DWWA                                        
46. Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 (£25,00)
                Trophy New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc over £10 DWWA                                   
47. Giesen The August Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2010  (£18,99)
                Silver IWC                                             
48. Kim Crawford Unoaked Chardonnay Marlborough 2011 (£11,99)
                Silver DWWA                                        
49. Kumeu River The Society's Exhibition New Zealand Chardonnay Kumeu 2010 (£12,50)
                Gold IWC                                              
50. Nautilus Estate Chardonnay Marlborough 2010 (£16,00)
                Gold IWC                                              
51. Saint Clair Family Estate Omaka Reserve Chardonnay Marlborough 2010 (£16,99)
                Silver Sommelier Wine Awards                                          
52. Huia Chardonnay Marlborough 2008 (£16,40)
                Gold IWC                                              
53. Paddy Borthwick Pinot Noir Wairarapa 2010  (£15,70)
                Silver IWC                                             
54. Urlar Organic Pinot Noir Martinborough 2010 (£17,50)
                Silver IWC                                             
55. Gladstone Vineyard Pinot Noir Wairarapa 2010 (£19,50)
                Silver IWC                                             
56. Schubert Marion's Vineyard Pinot Noir Wairarapa 2010 (£28,95)
                Gold IWC                                              
57. Cambridge Road Pinot Noir Martinborough 2010 (£25 - £30)
                Trophy Martinborough IWC                                 
58. Whitehaven Pinot Noir Marlborough 2010 (£13,79)
                Silver IWC                                             
59. Lawson's Dry Hills Pinot Noir Marlborough 2010 (£14,50)
                Gold IWC                                              
60. Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Noir Marlborough 2010 (£14,99)
                Gold DWWA                                         
61. Jules Taylor Pinot Noir Marlborough 2010  (£17,50)
                Silver DWWA                                        
62. Mud House Single Vineyard Caseys Road Pinot Noir Marlborough 2010 (£20,00)
                Silver DWWA                                        
63. Saint Clair Family Estate Pioneer Block Doctor's Creek 14  Pinot Noir Marlborough 2010 (£18,99)
                Trophy New Zealand Pinot Noir over £10 DWWA & Trophy New Zealand Red Marlborough IWC
64. Foxes Island Belsham Estate Pinot Noir Marlborough 2008 (£16,66)
                Silver DWWA                                        
65. Fromm  La Strada Pinot Noir Marlborough 2007 (£20,00)
                Silver Sommelier Wine Awards                                          
66. Ostler Caroline's Pinot Noir Waitaki 2010 (£29,95)
                Silver DWWA                                        
67. John Forrest Collection Pinot Noir Waitaki 2009 (£30,00)
                Trophy New Zealand Pinot Noir & Trophy Waitaki IWC                                    
68. Waipara Hills Pinot Noir Central Otago 2010 (£12,99)
                Silver DWWA                                        
69. Mt. Difficulty Roaring Meg Pinot Noir Central Otago 2010 (£17,99)
                Silver DWWA                                        
70. Judge Rock Pinot Noir Central Otago 2010 (NZ$40)
                Gold DWWA                                         
71. Archangel Pinot Noir Central Otago 2010 (£19,95)
                Silver DWWA                                        
72. Mud House Estate Golden Terraces Pinot Noir Central Otago 2010 (£20,00)
                Gold DWWA                                         
73. Ata Mara Pinot Noir Central Otago 2010 (£20,00)
                Silver DWWA                                        
74. Lowburn Ferry Home Block Pinot Noir Central Otago 2010  (£26,99)
                Silver DWWA                                        
75. Elephant Hill Pinot Noir Central Otago 2009 (£15,77)
                Silver Sommelier Wine Awards                                          
76. Maude Pinot Noir Central Otago 2009 (£23,99)
                Silver DWWA                                        
77. Surveyor Thomson Pinot Noir Central Otago 2009 (£27,00)
                Silver DWWA                                        
78. Wooing Tree Pinot Noir Central Otago 2009 (£28.99-29.99)
                Silver DWWA & IWC                                            
79. Mission Estate Syrah Hawke's Bay 2011 (£13,00)
                Silver IWC                                             
80. Villa Maria Private Bin Syrah Hawke's Bay 2010 (£12,49)
                Silver IWC                                             
81. Esk Valley Syrah Hawke's Bay 2010 (£13,99)
                Silver DWWA                                        
82. Elephant Hill Syrah Hawke's Bay 2010 (£15,73)
                Gold Sommelier Wine Awards                                           
83. Te Awa Left Field Syrah Hawke's Bay 2010 (£16,10)
                Gold IWC                                              
84. Mills Reef Elspeth Syrah Gimblett Gravels, Hawke's Bay 2010 (£34,99)
                Trophy New Zealand Syrah IWC                                          
85. Vidal Legacy Series Syrah Gimblett Gravels, Hawke's Bay 2009 (£17,99)
                Trophy New Zealand Red Rhône Varietal over £10 DWWA                                              
86. Elephant Hill Airavata Syrah Hawke's Bay 2009 (£32,89)
                Gold and Critics Choice Sommelier Wine Awards                                             
87. C J Pask Declaration Syrah Hawke's Bay 2007 (£18.00- 20.00)
                Gold DWWA 2010                                
88. Mills Reef Elspeth Merlot Gimblett Gravels, Hawke's Bay 2010 (£29,99)
                Gold IWC                                              
89. Mills Reef  Elspeth Cabernet Merlot Gimblett Gravels, Hawke's Bay 2010 (£29,95)
                Silver IWC                                             
90. Elephant Hill Le Phant Reserve Hawke's Bay 2009 (£25,95)
                Gold DWWA                                         
91. Man O' War Ironclad Waiheke 2009 (£28,00)
                Silver DWWA                                        
92. Alpha Domus The Navigator Hawke's Bay 2008 (£15.99-17.99)
                Silver DWWA                                        
93. The Obsidian  Cabernet Merlot Waiheke 2008 (£39,00)
                Silver IWC                                             
94. Brancott Estate Late Harvest 'B' Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 (£9,99)
                Trophy New Zealand Sweet over £10 DWWA                                    
95. The Ned Noble Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 (£12,99)
                Silver DWWA & IWC                                            
96. Saint Clair Family Estate Awatere Valley Reserve Noble Riesling Marlborough 2009 (£15,49)
                Gold DWWA                                         
97. Marisco A Sticky End Noble Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2009 (£15,99)
                Gold DWWA                                         
98. Stanley Estates Noble Harvest Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 (£13.25 - £14.25)
                Silver DWWA                                        
                                                              
All medals refer to competitions in 2012, unless otherwise stated                 
DWWA = Decanter World Wine Awards                                            
IWC = International Wine Challenge                                   
IWSC = International Wine & Spirit Competition

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