Hawke’s Bay wines likely to be savoured by Poles

14 June 2010

Media release

Hawke’s Bay wines likely to be savoured by Poles

Hawke’s Bay wines could soon be gracing the palettes of Polish wine drinkers as one of Poland’s leading wine writers is keen to share his experiences of local wines.

Andrzej Daszkiewicz was in Hawke’s Bay last week and reported that he had “enjoyed very good wines” that he felt would easily meet the quality expectations of discerning wine consumers in Poland.

“I think there is much potential, especially with Chardonnay, Syrah and some of the Merlot blends,” Mr Daszkiewicz said after he had been hosted to a regional wine tasting by Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Inc. He also visited Craggy Range Winery, Elephant Hill and CJ Pask Winery where he met with winemakers and toured vineyards and winery facilities.

Mr Daszkiewicz says that while New Zealand was a “big unknown” in his homeland, he had been introduced to Hawke’s Bay wine at an international tasting in London two years ago. “We thought then that New Zealand was the most important New World wine country and we have been working on getting here since then.

“The quality and style of Hawke’s Bay wine is more in line with the classical European style that is preferred in my country. While the price is more expensive than other New World wines, in terms of quality it will compete,” Mr Daszkiewicz predicts.

Mr Daszkiewicz writes for Magazyn WINO, Poland’s leading wine magazine and is website editor of the online version. He also contributes articles for trade and consumer publications.

His two-week visit to New Zealand was at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and New Zealand Winegrowers. This was his first visit to the country and he was expecting to visit 25 wineries and almost all the wine regions.

ENDS

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