What The Winemakers Are Drinking This Summer…

29 October 2012

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What The Winemakers Are Drinking This Summer…
Summer wine picks from Hawke’s Bay winemakers

Eight Hawke’s Bay winemakers have revealed the wines they are sharing with family and friends over the hot summer months. With the rider that they couldn’t select any of their own wines, this is what some of the region’s notable wine palates recommend:

Chris Scott, Church Road:
“At this time of year, thoughts are starting to turn to Christmas dinner with the family, which in our house is a bit like planning a small invasion. No Christmas dinner is complete without a bottle or two of something good and red, and often this is a great excuse to splurge on some expensive foreign benchmarks.

“However, this year my thoughts keep turning to Hawke’s Bay Syrah. At their best they are one of the greatest red wine styles in world, fragrant and fine textured, but with an underlying power and depth that gives them the X factor.

“Bilancia La Collina is an excellent example of this, and will likely be making an appearance at the Scott’s Christmas table this year. (Assuming I can find the table, which is currently in the middle of the construction zone that used to be our dining room.)”

Hugh Crichton, Vidal Estate:
“Hawke’s Bay continues to excel and impress on the international wine stage with its Syrah. As a region we are producing Syrah that shows real depth and concentration of flavour, fragrance and spice but, above all, wines that retain freshness. This ensures they offer real drinkability and suitability with food, something that sets us apart from the examples produced in warmer climes around the world.

“The 2010 Hawke’s Bay vintage has produced some fine examples including the lovely Trinity Hill, Gimblett Gravels Syrah. With small volumes and a growing international demand and appreciation for these wines, you’ll need to get in quick.”

Tim Turvey, Clearview Estate Winery:
“Elephant Hill Airavata Viognier 2009, a new release that is so rich and full flavoured with amazing melon / apricot, fennel and ginger – so refreshing, yet powerful. Great summer drinking now but should develop further – my match with a fruity summer salad and Te Awanga crayfish, overlooking the Bay on a summer day.”

Rosie Butler, Lime Rock Wines:
“Our pick is Junction 2011 Heart and Soul Pinot Noir, served with Central Hawke’s Bay lamb cutlets, straight from the barbecue.”

Grant Edmonds, Sileni Estates:
“2009 Bridge Pa Reserve Syrah – rich and warming red from a very good vintage. Classic pepper / spice with ripe plums and a soft finish. Perfect with an eye fillet on the barbeque over summer.”

Dave McKee, Black Barn Vineyards:
“Church Rd McDonald Series Sauvignon Gris 2012 – this has a lovely chalky texture and that extra layer of fruit on the nose. Great lunch wine and matches a wide range of food. Best wine in class at the recent HB A & P Society wine awards.”

Tony Bish,Sacred Hill:
“Black Barn Blanc de Blanc 2010. Love it, very clean, refreshing crisp and satisfying.
Perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner, or at any other time of day.” (This is a Methode Traditionelle (bubbles).)

Warren Gibson, Trinity Hill:
"Still drinking plenty of Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay. The 2010s are just coming into their own now. I enjoy the wines that have less full-on work in the winery, so I look for more freshness and drinkability and less oak and fatness. The range of Chardonnays from Vidals are a good example of the direction Hawke’s Bay can successfully head towards, and I enjoy their extra level of complexity on top of their freshness."

ENDS

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