What follows in the coming reports and pictures is exactly what is includes in my previous blog http://wineworld.spaces.live.com/
The idea of bringing the reports to new space is mainly to keep the information in only one place.
I have not done any changes to the original posts, because I believe that every experience has its particular moment.
Perhaps, today I would have other opinion on some issues, but what I reproduce here belongs to that time.
In this Part 9, I report my experience in South Island – New Zealand, on May 2007.
Please, click on the photos to see the slide show and double click to go Picasa and see the map location.
Sustainable Winegrowing
New Zealand is a green country, literally. Even in winter season, green is everywhere.
It is also a green country in the eco-friendly way to identify a place.
It is proud to be one of the fewest places in earth where pollution is not a problem and natural resources are carefully protected.
A key characteristic of New Zealand's tourism industry is its importance to its economy. Tourism has a substantial role in job-creation and export earnings and one of the greatest tourist attractions in the country is its natural environment.
Be in touch with nature is a must to do since one learns how to stand up in two legs, apart from the ones which are always in four and are in touch with nature any way – sheep population is bigger than human residents in this far land.
When I found out what a sign of identification - seen in many of the local wineries mentioning “Sustainable Winegrowing”- meant, it was a natural consequence of what I learnt of the “kiwi” style: a holistic approach to do things, do it well and, promote it.
You can read a brief explanation about the “Sustainable Winegrowing” concept in the article below:
" New Zealand has long been famed for its stunning unspoilt landscape. New Zealand’s small population, isolated location and agricultural economy have earned the country a “clean, green” image. New Zealand grape growers and winemakers aim to keep it that way by protecting the environmental integrity of their wine production. To this end a pioneering set of industry standards have been developed, known as Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ). Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand provides the framework for companies to continually work towards improving all aspects of their performance in terms of environmental, social and economic sustainability in both the vineyard and the winery.
Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand was established by volunteer grapegrowers in August 1995 as an industry initiative directed through New Zealand Winegrowers. Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand was commercially introduced in 1997 and has been adopted by growers from all the grape growing regions. The introduction of a winery program in 2002 has been a significant development, which further substantiates the industry claim “ New Zealand Wine, the riches of a clean green land”.
Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand was developed to:
- Provide a “best practice” model of environmental practices in the vineyard and winery.
- Guarantee better quality assurance from the vineyard through to the bottle.
- Address consumer concerns in matters pertaining to the environment and winegrape production.
Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand is an integral part of the future of New Zealand wine production. As such, the programme aims to deliver the following benefits to its members:
- A framework for viticultural and winemaking practices that protect the environment while efficiently and economically producing premium winegrapes and wine.
- A format of continual improvement to ensure companies operate with a goal of improving their operational practices.
- A vehicle for technology transfer so that companies are kept informed of new technology and its application.
- An audit structure that has integrity and rigour to comply with market expectations.
- Opportunity to be a part of the positive future for New Zealand grape growers and winemakers producing the ‘riches of a clean green land’.
The future of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand
Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand currently have a project underway to develop a database and database management tools which will enable them to identify key production issues that will enhance the long-term sustainability of the winegrape industry. These tools will then be used to generate reports for individual growers, regions and the wider industry to drive the timely implementation of managed solutions to sustainability issues.
Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand will take a greater role in guiding members in the development of a complete environmental management system. Expansion of the programme to cover all New Zealand vineyards and wineries is the ultimate aim, thus enhancing the reputation of New Zealand wine industry as producers of premium quality wines produced with true environmental integrity."
Information from http://www.nzwine.com/swnz/
NELSON
“Nelson is the country's eighth largest wine region and is an area of artists, artisans and very stylish wines.
Viticulture occupies scattered pockets with a range of horticultural activities on the alluvial loam soils of the Waimea Plains and in the folds and valleys of the beautiful hills throughout the district. Soil structure here changes to clay loams over hard clay subsoil.
The region is unusually sited on the western side of the country near the northern tip of the South Island. Mountains to the west of the region provide a rain shadow effect while coastline helps to moderate temperature extremes.
Nelson winemakers specialise and excel in grape varieties that respond to cooler growing conditions. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Noir account for over 80% of the region's vineyard area. " (Information from http://www.nzwine.com/regions/)
Nelson is blessed with abundant sunshine and surrounded by breathtaking scenery, so captivating that made me visit it in two different times, both extremely enjoyable
WINE TOUR
On my first visit to Nelson, early May, I bought a tour with Bay Tours, which was a great day experience, with a sample of the Southern friendly way to serve.
The first stop was at Grape Escape a complex that includes Gallery, Shops, Café, Bar and obliviously Cellar Door for two different wineries: Te Mania and Richmond Plains.
Before we started our double experience, we had a time to walk around and explore the place. The main attractions are the yams, which are not afraid of the visitors at all, specially if they offer a handful of fresh cut grass. The exotic animals provide fibre for the Cruella Natural Fibre Boutique with prices to match the eccentricity.
When back at the Cellar Door a table full of delights was waiting for us, to match with the wines presented.
The whole practice was motivating, where we had the chance to pair food with two different wines on each sample.
Although we tried wines from the same kind of grapes, they showed different characteristics, part for the fact that one winery is organic and also they have different approach to the wine making process, both very good reasons to make the wines taste different.
TE MANIA
The winery has been recognized for the quality of its wines and also for the affordable price of them.
Their Pinot Noir 2005 was elected the best buy (NZ$19.95) by the Gourmet Traveller WINE magazine: “Good density, with black plum flavour together and a seasoning of spicy oak, make it better than some that cost twice the price.”
Te Mania is a family owned Nelson winery located near the beautiful coastline of Tasman Bay. It was established by Jon and Cheryl Harrey in 1990.
The vineyards flourish on the ancient alluvial terraces trough which rivers flow from the mountains to the sea.
RICHMOND PLAINS
It is also a family affair. Established in 1991, is a very small winery owned by the Jensen family.
All the grapes are organically grown on the own vineyard using extensive manual techniques.
Richmond Plains pioneered organic grape growing and wine making in the South Island. The winery is certified by Bio-Gro New Zealand.
The winery justifies the organic methods, saying that by using those, without the use of synthetic chemicals, they can truly express the vineyards character or terroir in the wines.
All the wines presented were good and the highlights were the reds, Pinot Noir for both and the Richmond Plains Monarch (blend of Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc), showing great potential to develop in the cellaring.
Established in 1993 by former orchardists Trevor and Robyn Bolitho, Waimea Estates in now the second-biggest of the Nelson wineries, with six vineyards, and its wines are consistently well reviewed.
It is located on the plains from which it takes it name. The soils are predominantly free-draining alluvial soils. The combination of these soils with plenty of sunshine hours and a long ripening season, thanks to moderating maritime influences and the protection of the hills, provide the perfect “terroir” for growing quality grapes.
The main varietal wines made at Wainea Estates are Sauvingon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, plus smaller volumes of Viogner, Gewürztraminer and a Cabernet/Merlot blend.
The prices range are between NZ$15 (Spinyback label) and NZ$45 (Bolitho Reserve).
Michael Brown, Waimea’s winemaker, has had extensive experience in others parts of the globe. In the boutique innovative winery he uses gentle processing and anaerobic (without air) techniques to create “fruit-driven” wines.
We tasted a wide variety of wines where their goal was definitely reached in the great majority. We could taste baskets of fruit in some examples and a bunch of flowers in others.
One that the rule surprisingly does not apply is the Riesling, 2004, which consist in a dry wine, rested in the lees and with toast and almond flavors.
The big star for me was the Waimea Pinot Noir 2004, a tawny wine, with strawberry aroma, showing a good finishing and which made me wonder how gorgeous that will be with some time aged.
Stafford Lane, the last visit in Nelson, is worth visiting as much for its olive oils as for its wine.
Owners Mike and Carol McGrath produce 11 types of olive oil that can be sampled at the cellar door along with pickled olives, bread, jams, jellies and chutney - included the delicious and exotic Feijoa Chutney, which fruit is claimed to come originally from the far land of South America, mainly South Brazil.
Carol was intrigued for my lack of knowledge of the small green fruit, which was successfully brought and planted by a Portuguese with surname Feijoa - who the fruit is named after. She showed me a book with maps and descriptions, then I found out that in my country we call it for a different name (Goiaba do Mato, literally translation: wild guava) which in fact didn’t make any difference, because I couldn’t remember it anyway. Perhaps it has been vanished or maybe it is too wild, not sure. So, I have a homework when back home, search the Feijoa trail.
We tasted samples of their olive oil combined with Sauvingnon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Gewürztraminer.
When leaving the place, another of its attractions: the dog, followed our van in a very predictable attempt to chase anything which drives along. What character!
The idea of bringing the reports to new space is mainly to keep the information in only one place.
I have not done any changes to the original posts, because I believe that every experience has its particular moment.
Perhaps, today I would have other opinion on some issues, but what I reproduce here belongs to that time.
In this Part 9, I report my experience in South Island – New Zealand, on May 2007.
Please, click on the photos to see the slide show and double click to go Picasa and see the map location.
Sustainable Winegrowing
New Zealand is a green country, literally. Even in winter season, green is everywhere.
It is also a green country in the eco-friendly way to identify a place.
It is proud to be one of the fewest places in earth where pollution is not a problem and natural resources are carefully protected.
A key characteristic of New Zealand's tourism industry is its importance to its economy. Tourism has a substantial role in job-creation and export earnings and one of the greatest tourist attractions in the country is its natural environment.
Be in touch with nature is a must to do since one learns how to stand up in two legs, apart from the ones which are always in four and are in touch with nature any way – sheep population is bigger than human residents in this far land.
When I found out what a sign of identification - seen in many of the local wineries mentioning “Sustainable Winegrowing”- meant, it was a natural consequence of what I learnt of the “kiwi” style: a holistic approach to do things, do it well and, promote it.
You can read a brief explanation about the “Sustainable Winegrowing” concept in the article below:
" New Zealand has long been famed for its stunning unspoilt landscape. New Zealand’s small population, isolated location and agricultural economy have earned the country a “clean, green” image. New Zealand grape growers and winemakers aim to keep it that way by protecting the environmental integrity of their wine production. To this end a pioneering set of industry standards have been developed, known as Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ). Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand provides the framework for companies to continually work towards improving all aspects of their performance in terms of environmental, social and economic sustainability in both the vineyard and the winery.
Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand was established by volunteer grapegrowers in August 1995 as an industry initiative directed through New Zealand Winegrowers. Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand was commercially introduced in 1997 and has been adopted by growers from all the grape growing regions. The introduction of a winery program in 2002 has been a significant development, which further substantiates the industry claim “ New Zealand Wine, the riches of a clean green land”.
Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand was developed to:
- Provide a “best practice” model of environmental practices in the vineyard and winery.
- Guarantee better quality assurance from the vineyard through to the bottle.
- Address consumer concerns in matters pertaining to the environment and winegrape production.
Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand is an integral part of the future of New Zealand wine production. As such, the programme aims to deliver the following benefits to its members:
- A framework for viticultural and winemaking practices that protect the environment while efficiently and economically producing premium winegrapes and wine.
- A format of continual improvement to ensure companies operate with a goal of improving their operational practices.
- A vehicle for technology transfer so that companies are kept informed of new technology and its application.
- An audit structure that has integrity and rigour to comply with market expectations.
- Opportunity to be a part of the positive future for New Zealand grape growers and winemakers producing the ‘riches of a clean green land’.
The future of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand
Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand currently have a project underway to develop a database and database management tools which will enable them to identify key production issues that will enhance the long-term sustainability of the winegrape industry. These tools will then be used to generate reports for individual growers, regions and the wider industry to drive the timely implementation of managed solutions to sustainability issues.
Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand will take a greater role in guiding members in the development of a complete environmental management system. Expansion of the programme to cover all New Zealand vineyards and wineries is the ultimate aim, thus enhancing the reputation of New Zealand wine industry as producers of premium quality wines produced with true environmental integrity."
Information from http://www.nzwine.com/swnz/
|
| From Nelson. NZ South Island |
NELSON
“Nelson is the country's eighth largest wine region and is an area of artists, artisans and very stylish wines.
Viticulture occupies scattered pockets with a range of horticultural activities on the alluvial loam soils of the Waimea Plains and in the folds and valleys of the beautiful hills throughout the district. Soil structure here changes to clay loams over hard clay subsoil.
The region is unusually sited on the western side of the country near the northern tip of the South Island. Mountains to the west of the region provide a rain shadow effect while coastline helps to moderate temperature extremes.
Nelson winemakers specialise and excel in grape varieties that respond to cooler growing conditions. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Noir account for over 80% of the region's vineyard area. " (Information from http://www.nzwine.com/regions/)
Nelson is blessed with abundant sunshine and surrounded by breathtaking scenery, so captivating that made me visit it in two different times, both extremely enjoyable
|
| From Nelson. NZ South Island |
WINE TOUR
On my first visit to Nelson, early May, I bought a tour with Bay Tours, which was a great day experience, with a sample of the Southern friendly way to serve.
The first stop was at Grape Escape a complex that includes Gallery, Shops, Café, Bar and obliviously Cellar Door for two different wineries: Te Mania and Richmond Plains.
Before we started our double experience, we had a time to walk around and explore the place. The main attractions are the yams, which are not afraid of the visitors at all, specially if they offer a handful of fresh cut grass. The exotic animals provide fibre for the Cruella Natural Fibre Boutique with prices to match the eccentricity.
When back at the Cellar Door a table full of delights was waiting for us, to match with the wines presented.
The whole practice was motivating, where we had the chance to pair food with two different wines on each sample.
Although we tried wines from the same kind of grapes, they showed different characteristics, part for the fact that one winery is organic and also they have different approach to the wine making process, both very good reasons to make the wines taste different.
TE MANIA
The winery has been recognized for the quality of its wines and also for the affordable price of them.
Their Pinot Noir 2005 was elected the best buy (NZ$19.95) by the Gourmet Traveller WINE magazine: “Good density, with black plum flavour together and a seasoning of spicy oak, make it better than some that cost twice the price.”
Te Mania is a family owned Nelson winery located near the beautiful coastline of Tasman Bay. It was established by Jon and Cheryl Harrey in 1990.
The vineyards flourish on the ancient alluvial terraces trough which rivers flow from the mountains to the sea.
RICHMOND PLAINS
It is also a family affair. Established in 1991, is a very small winery owned by the Jensen family.
All the grapes are organically grown on the own vineyard using extensive manual techniques.
Richmond Plains pioneered organic grape growing and wine making in the South Island. The winery is certified by Bio-Gro New Zealand.
The winery justifies the organic methods, saying that by using those, without the use of synthetic chemicals, they can truly express the vineyards character or terroir in the wines.
All the wines presented were good and the highlights were the reds, Pinot Noir for both and the Richmond Plains Monarch (blend of Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc), showing great potential to develop in the cellaring.
Established in 1993 by former orchardists Trevor and Robyn Bolitho, Waimea Estates in now the second-biggest of the Nelson wineries, with six vineyards, and its wines are consistently well reviewed.
It is located on the plains from which it takes it name. The soils are predominantly free-draining alluvial soils. The combination of these soils with plenty of sunshine hours and a long ripening season, thanks to moderating maritime influences and the protection of the hills, provide the perfect “terroir” for growing quality grapes.
The main varietal wines made at Wainea Estates are Sauvingon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, plus smaller volumes of Viogner, Gewürztraminer and a Cabernet/Merlot blend.
The prices range are between NZ$15 (Spinyback label) and NZ$45 (Bolitho Reserve).
Michael Brown, Waimea’s winemaker, has had extensive experience in others parts of the globe. In the boutique innovative winery he uses gentle processing and anaerobic (without air) techniques to create “fruit-driven” wines.
We tasted a wide variety of wines where their goal was definitely reached in the great majority. We could taste baskets of fruit in some examples and a bunch of flowers in others.
One that the rule surprisingly does not apply is the Riesling, 2004, which consist in a dry wine, rested in the lees and with toast and almond flavors.
The big star for me was the Waimea Pinot Noir 2004, a tawny wine, with strawberry aroma, showing a good finishing and which made me wonder how gorgeous that will be with some time aged.
Stafford Lane, the last visit in Nelson, is worth visiting as much for its olive oils as for its wine.
Owners Mike and Carol McGrath produce 11 types of olive oil that can be sampled at the cellar door along with pickled olives, bread, jams, jellies and chutney - included the delicious and exotic Feijoa Chutney, which fruit is claimed to come originally from the far land of South America, mainly South Brazil.
Carol was intrigued for my lack of knowledge of the small green fruit, which was successfully brought and planted by a Portuguese with surname Feijoa - who the fruit is named after. She showed me a book with maps and descriptions, then I found out that in my country we call it for a different name (Goiaba do Mato, literally translation: wild guava) which in fact didn’t make any difference, because I couldn’t remember it anyway. Perhaps it has been vanished or maybe it is too wild, not sure. So, I have a homework when back home, search the Feijoa trail.
We tasted samples of their olive oil combined with Sauvingnon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Gewürztraminer.
When leaving the place, another of its attractions: the dog, followed our van in a very predictable attempt to chase anything which drives along. What character!
Cheers!
Marcia Amaral