International Experts to Speak at HB Wine Events

14 October 2009

Interest in Hawke’s Bay red wines around the world continues to grow, as evidenced by recent blind tastings of leading local wines against internationally recognised big-names, and organisers of two national red wine events being held in Hastings in January, are seeing a surge in registrations as a result.

“The line up of speakers, both national and international, is of such a high calibre that New Zealand and overseas industry participants are keen to learn more about the variety and truth be told, check out Hawke’s Bay for themselves,” says Peter Cowley, Te Mata Estate winemaker who is helping to organise the two day wine experience.

“It’s as though our secret is out and we can take great confidence from the fact that such leading experts are willing to come and share their considerable knowledge.”

The New Zealand Cabernet Merlot Forum is being held on Friday 29 January and its key note speakers are Simon Tam from Hong Kong, Dr Kees van Leeuwen from Bordeaux, France, and Brian Croser from Australia.

At the New Zealand Syrah Symposium the next day, key note speakers are Australians James Halliday, Dan Buckle and Markus Herderich, and from the UK, John Livingstone-Learmonth and Tim Atkin MW.

Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Inc. chairman, Rod McDonald is enthusiastic about the opportunities the line up of speakers presents Hawke’s Bay and New Zealand winemakers and growers. “In respect of Cabernet Merlot, New Zealand has never before assembled such a group of international people from distinctively different wine marketing, wine producing, and wine perspectives. We will not only get an international view of our wines but we’ll also learn where they see our wines in context of the World.

“Clearly we can’t cut and paste what they are doing, but such a group of speakers will give us a whole new perspective on what they are achieving, and their take on our challenges.”

More details on these noted wine experts can be found on the respective event websites http://http://www.cabernetmerlotforum.co.nz and http://www.syrahsymposium.co.nz

Local speakers include Petra King and Rod Chittenden from EIT, and winemakers Peter Hurlstone, Pernod Ricard; Warren Gibson, Trinity Hill; and Rod Easthope, Craggy Range. Nicholas Buck from Te Mata Estate, and HBWG chair and Matariki Wines GM, Rod McDonald will conduct a panel discussion at the conclusion of each day.

Peter Cowley will lead a tasting to introduce delegates to Hawke’s Bay’s finest examples of Cabernet Merlot and Syrah, at a combined dinner being held on the Friday evening. “In addition to experiencing local fine wine, this evening will be chance for Hawke’s Bay winemakers to get feedback from respected experts on our wines,” he says.

More information and registrations can be found at the websites above or at the following website: http://www.winehawkesbay.co.nz

ENDS

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