The latest issue of Cuisine magazine of March
2010, No. 139, features the results of the annual N.Z. aromatic white wine
tastings. As can be expected, these
wines have continued the success of these varietals seen over the past few
years, and the number of top wines keeps on growing. This is marvellous for our industry in terms
of standards, and a boon for giving choice to the consumer. However, in reality, there is too much! Domestic wine sales are static, and the
market is flooded with an increasing number of players, all trying to capture a
piece of the pie. Many wines, while
excellent may not have much of a track record, and thus have not achieved as
much as desired in marketing goals. From
the consumer’s perspective, it still takes a leap of faith to leave tried,
trusted and true labels and buy a newcomer, no matter how well it may have
performed in a wine show or tasting. We
offer no solutions to this problem, only point it out…
Seeing the results of the Cuisine
tastings, we are very pleased for the producers whose wines have fared
well. Regional Wines stocks many of them
now or will stock them in the near future.
We always endeavour to carry the best range of wines possible, but
obviously cannot have them all in this burgeoning marketplace.
The top four Pinot Gris wines were
the Ti Point Marlborough 2009, Lamont Central Otago 2009, River Farm ‘Godfrey Road’ 2009 and
Ohau Gravels 2009 (the Champion Pinot Gris at the 2009 Bragato Wine Awards).
The top four Rieslings were the
Bouldevines Marlborough 2009, Forrest ‘The Doctors’ Marlborough 2009, Domain
Road Central Otago 2009 and the Villa Maria ‘Cellar Selection’ Marlborough
2009.
The top Gewurztraminers were Te
Whare Ra Marlborough 2009, Spy Valley Marlborough 2009, Framingham Marlborough
2009 and Morton Estate ‘White Label’ Hawke’s Bay 2009.