Hot Red Hawke's Bay Wine Expo - 'Our world in your glass'

3 June 2011, Black Barn Winery, Havelock North, Hawkes Bay
22 June 2011, Chaffers Dock, Wellington
23 June, Floating Pavilion, Auckland
Trade Entry 2-4pm . Public Entry $35 4-8pm

-A Taste of Their World in My Glass-

This month has been the Hawke’s Bay regions time to shine with the annual Red Hot Hawke’s Bay Wine Expo wrapping up in Auckland for 2011. The event featured an array of the region’s most favoured styles from 20 wineries and some of New Zealand’s top winemakers. Held at the Black Barn Winery (Hawke’s Bay), the Chaffers Dock (Wellington) and the Floating Pavilion (Auckland), this travelling road show gave the industry, media and public a rare opportunity to meet the winemakers and taste the wines which give the Hawke’s Bay region its gleaming reputation.

For the first time in the eight years running, 2011 sports a line-up of white wines which allowed for some of the regions big bold Chardonnays, well-balanced aromatics and a surprising line up of blended and new clone varieties. This seemingly pleased Auckland punters; from the humming of networking and swirling glasses in the early afternoon, to the 4pm publics arrival complete with spilt spittoons, casual banter and warm laughter that can only be associated with an elegant, creamy Chardonnay on a cool winter’s evening.

Highlights include the promising Ngatarawa Alwyn Winemakers Reserve Chardonnay 2009, derived from a trophy lineage with the ’07 vintage winning trophy at the International Wine Challenge and voted best NZ Chardonnay, best Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay and best NZ white. Nicely balanced 30% new oak, Alwyn Corban’s signature wine was a real treat and showed off the region’s ability to run with the big boys.

Other whites that caught my attention were the new clone variety to New Zealand of Sauvignon Gris, offered by Clearview Estate, the second winery after Montana to grow and produce this Bordeaux variety in New Zealand. The 2010 Reserve Sauvignon Gris is very much in keeping with the demand for zesty, fresh white wines and may see the face of New Zealand wine changing in no time. Watch this space.

Alpha Domus showcased their 2009 The Aviatrix, a Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier blend – citrusy yet warm with strong characteristics of a decent Sav and the flexibility of a harmonious blend of three food worthy varieties. This style of winemaking, where the blend was brought together just before bottling may be an answer to bringing some of the more estranged styles of wine into the homes of everyday New Zealanders.

Second time round and we were onto the reds. Starting with Syrah, the variation between each was astounding. The spicier, hot Askerne Syrah 2009 was appealing with tannins that were distinguished but not over powering compared to a few others which were not quite as bold. The Crossroads Winery Hawke’s Bay “Talisman” is always one to watch. This secret blend has been produced for 21years and is made up of 5 to 7 varieties, all of which are kept a mystery by the winemaker. The full ripe palate leads to a long balanced mouth feel leaving one wanting more.

Overall it was a great expo with a fantastic display of red and white wine to sample. Meeting the winery teams, putting faces to names and hearing about their projects was an experience that Red Hot Hawke’s Bay Wine Expo should be very proud to promote. It certainly was a taste of their world in my glass.