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BOB CAMPBELL'S 'NEW ZEALAND'S TOP 20' - DOG POINT #1 & GREYSTONE # 12
Monday 2 August 2010
BOB CAMPBELL MW has been folliwng the wines of his homland for four decades. He gives his verdict on the country's leading estates.
"Selecting my top 20 New Zealand wineries, with a wine from each, proved a fascinating assignment. Should I just select my top 20 wines and feature the producer of each? Perhaps I'd be better choosing winemakers who achieve the highest standard across their range? Winemakers with a long history of quality wines possibly deserve special merit, but wouldn't readers really want to learn abou the hot new faces?" ... "I started by listing my top wine producers, considering overall quality across thie range as well as their star wines."
Within Bob's final Top 20 list were two wineries proudly distributed by red+white cellar
# 1 - Dog Point Vineyard, Marlborough Section 94 Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (5 Stars, 19/20)
# 12 - Greystone Wines, Waipara Late Harvest Riesling 2009 (5 Stars, 19/20)
- Bob Campbell MW, Decanter Magazine, September 2010
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red+white cellar wins two Lewishams Awards!!
Monday 31 May 2010
Auckland's Outstanding Hospitality Staff officially recognised at the Hospitality party of the year last night. For the 8th year, Auckland's outstanding hospitality staff were officially recognised by their peers - at the 2010 Lewisham Foundation Awards. The Awards are named in honour of colourful hospitality entrepreneur Richard Lewisham who helped establish the modern day eating and drinking scene in the 'City of Sails'. At a night of glamour and glitz the current 'cream of the crop' in Auckland's hospitality industry will be honoured for their outstanding commitment to this exciting and vibrant business ... in this exciting city.
red+white cellar were notimated in two categories and won them both - one for Outstanding Supplier and the other, Outstanding Sales Representative - taken out by Dave Aberhart, our National Sales Manager.
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Liquorland International Wine Competition - 2010 results
Monday 10 May 2010
Liquorland International Wine Competition - 2010 results
GOLD
- Lawson's Dry Hills Pinot Gris 2009
- Te Awa 'Left Field' Merlot 2007
SILVER
- Domaines Schlumberger Gewurztraminer Les Princes Abbes 2005
- Lake Hayes Pinot Noir 2008
- Lawson's Dry Hills Pinot Noir Rose 2009
- Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2009
- Spy Valley Chardonnay 2008
- Spy Valley Pinot Noir 2009
- Spy Valley Merlot Malbec 2008
- Te Awa 'Left Field' Syrah 2009
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KIWI CELEBRITY CHEF CREATES OUTSTANDING MENU AT AMISFIELD WINE COMPANY’S BISTRO QUEENSTOWN
Thursday 11 February 2010
Emett has been in charge of Gordon Ramsay’s North American ventures, in his role as Executive Chef de Cuisine at Gordon Ramsay at The London New York and West Hollywood, and is currently preparing to open Ramsay’s first restaurant in Australia – the maze and maze Grill Melbourne.
His exclusive appearance at Amisfield was a sell out with 150 people from all over the country taking the rare opportunity to meet New Zealand’s most famous chef and sample his unique cuisine style.
"The lunch was an overwhelming success and we are very proud that our staff were able to create such a seamless event for a chef of Josh’s calibre, "says General Manager Fleur Caulton. " Everyone involved from management to the kitchen, waiting and cellar staff went the extra mile to ensure that the entire event ran smoothly."
"We have had such a positive response from everyone who attended. They loved the food and the Amisfield wines, which we matched to each course. Our guests also had the opportunity to mingle informally with Josh who was keen to meet as many people as possible. He certainly loved being home and preparing food for an appreciative local audience."
Emett says creating a menu for a "home crowd" was a fantastic experience.
"There was definitely a bit of pressure coming home because I’ve been away such a long time. The higher the level you cook the more pressure there is. But Amisfield is such a great venue and the lunch was planned as a relaxed and informal function and that’s why it worked so well. I spend my life doing fine dining and this was such a good chance to do it the Kiwi way."
The menu highlighted fresh, seasonal and simple ingredients, in line with the Amisfield philosophy of "Grown Not Made."
"In New Zealand we can focus on seasonal produce because unlike other places, such as Europe, we don’t have choices and that’s a good thing," he says. "Seasonality is such a big part of eating here."
While he has been involved in the Gordon Ramsay Empire for the past ten years Emett still considers himself a New Zealand chef.
"I trained overseas but I am still very much a Kiwi. Working with Gordon Ramsay has allowed me to develop my own style. There are no boundaries with him and that’s the reason I enjoy it, because I do have so much freedom."
Emett’s Sous Chef John Lawson, who is to be Head Chef at the maze and Maze Grill Melbourne assisted him, but he also paid tribute to the Amisfield kitchen staff headed by Executive Chef Jason Innes for their part in the success of the day.
"All the kitchen crew did their part well and it was a big call with 750 plates over five courses. That takes a lot of organisation."
The Amisfield Josh Emett Degustation lunch was:
Carpaccio of Roasted Aubergine accompanied by Amisfield Pinot Gris 2008
Citrus and King Salmon accompanied by Amisfield Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Tortellini of Rabbit Confit accompanied by Amisfield Pinot Noir 2007
Loin and Shoulder of Cardrona Lamb accompanied by Amisfield Rocky Knoll Pinot Noir 2006 Peach Chiboust accompanied by Amisfield Noble Sauvignon Blanc 2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR IMAGES:
Contact: Fleur Caulton, fleur@amisfield.co.nz Ph +64 3 442 0556
www.amisfield.co.nz
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Winestate Annual Edition 2010. 'The Pick of the Crop'
Tuesday 19 January 2010
All of us at red+white cellar were thrilled to see that quite a few of our wines were listed in this month's Winestate Annual Edition which features 'The Pick of the Crop' from over 10,000 wines tasted over 2009.
Please see these fantastic wines and results listed below
Best of Styles
Te Awa Syrah 2007 - 5 Stars
Spy Valley Pinot Gris 2009 - 4 1/2 Stars
Greystone Pinot Gris 2008 - 4 ½ Stars
Spy Valley S/Blanc 2009 - 4 1/2 Stars
Plantagenet Great Southern Shiraz 2007 - 4 Stars
Campbells Rutherglen Muscat NV - 4 Stars
New Releases
RockBare Shiraz 2008 - 4 Stars
Whitebox Heathcote Shiraz 2006 - 4 Stars
Best of South Australia
Shaw & Smith M3 Chardonnay 2007 - 4 Stars
Best of Victoria
Tahbilk Marsanne 2008 - 4 Stars
Four Sisters Chardonnay 2008 - 4 Stars
Best of New Zealand
Spy Valley Gewurz 2008 - 5 Stars
Spy Valley Pinot Gris 2008 - 4 Stars
Spy Valley Pinot Noir 2007 - 4 Stars
Spy Valley Merlot 2007 - 4 Stars
Greystone S/Blanc 2009 - 4 Stars
Greystone Riesling 2008 - 4 Stars
Greystone Riesling 2009 - 4 Stars
Lawson's Gewurz 2008 - 4 Stars
Lawson's Pinot Noir 2007 - 4 Stars
Wild Earth Pinot Noir 2008 - 4 Stars
Michael Cooper's Best of 2009
Greystone Gewurz 2008 - 5 Stars
Amisfield Pinot Noir 2007 - 5 Stars
Amisfield Pinot Gris 2008 - 4 ½ Stars
Staete Landt S/Blanc 2008 - 4 ½ Stars
Wild Earth Riesling 2008 - 4 ½ Stars
Foxes Island Riesling 2008 - 4 Stars
Foxes Island S/Blanc 2008 - 4 Stars
Spy Valley Noble Riesling 2008 - 4 Stars
Spy Valley Noble S/Blanc 2008 - 4 Stars
Spy Valley Pinot Noir 2008 - 4 Stars
Greystone Riesling 2008 - 4 Stars
Winestate Annual 2010. January 2010
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Festive Tipples “Talking Turkey”
Thursday 3 December 2009
“Talking Turkey”
Richly textured whites are the best matches for the traditional roast turkey. A top end chardonnay is just the ticket, such as a bigger styled burgundy or one of our top chardonnays. These are best with the breast, while the darker leg meat can require a softer textured red, such as pint noir or merlot.
Dog Point Marlborough
Chardonnay 2007 $34.50
The Dog point Marlborough Chardonnay has the power to partner turkey plus the refinement to earn its place as one of the country’s top examples of the variety, with the 2007 arguably the estate’s best so far. A thrilling line of citrus and mineral drives through its focused palate, fusing with elegant white peach and lightly toasted oak.
Viva Magazine, NZ Herald
2nd December 09
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CATALINA SOUNDS WINS CHAMPION SAUVIGNON BLANC TROPHY
Wednesday 25 November 2009
Catalina Sounds has received international acclaim with the Catalina Sounds Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009 being awarded the CHAMPION SAUVIGNON BLANC TROPHY for BEST SAUVIGNON BLANC OF THE SHOW at the prestigious 2009 Air New Zealand Wine Show.
Organised by New Zealand Winegrowers, the Air New Zealand Wine Awards is the country’s leading wine competition. This year’s competition saw 1,655 wines entered from the country’s key winegrowing regions, with 102 gold medals awarded by the 26‐strong judging panel. New Zealand Winegrowers global marketing director Chris Yorke said “this was truly a groundbreaking competition, with remarkable quality shown right across the board.”
Sauvignon Blanc was awarded 13 gold medals, illustrating the extremely high quality of the 2009 vintage, with Catalina Sounds being awarded champion status as the competitions leading Sauvignon Blanc.
Catalina Sounds humble winemaker, Nina Stocker, ensured all the Catalina Sounds growers shared in the wines success, confirming on the night that, this was an award for all the Catalina Sounds growers too, whilst commenting that her extra efforts to make Sauvignon Blanc with added subtly and texture had potentially pushed Catalina Sounds over the line. Nina confirmed after the event that “receiving the 2009 Champion Sauvignon Blanc Trophy is an amazing thrill for all of us here at Catalina Sounds. The fact that the panel of judges felt our wine stood out from all the great wines in this class is a huge honour and nice validation of the stylistic direction we are going in”.
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Air New Zealand Wine Awards 09
Wednesday 18 November 2009
We've had some great results this year, including Amisfield, Spy Valley, Catalina Sounds and Greystone Wines all awarded gold medals! See below results of all our gold and silver medal winners...
Pure Gold Medal
Spy Valley Gewurztraminer 09
Gold Medal
Amisfield Lowburn Terrace Riesling 07
Catalina Sounds Sauvignon Blanc 09
Greystone Pinot Noir 08
Te Awa Chardonnay 07
Pure Silver Medal
Lawson’s Dry Hills Chardonnay 09
Lawson’s Dry Hills The Pioneer Gewurz’ 09
Lawson’s Dry Hills Sauvignon Blanc 09
Satellite Sauvignon Blanc 08
Spy Valley Pinot Gris 09
Silver Medal
Amisfield Pinot Gris 08
Foxes Island Riesling 08
Fox Junior Pinot Noir 08
Lawson’s Dry Hills Gewurztraminer 08
Wild Earth Pinot Noir 07
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Wednesday 18 November 2009
Marlborough, New Zealand 11 November 2009
There is a new Fox in town. John Belsham owner and winemaker of Foxes Island has recently created a new wine, Fox Junior by John Belsham. Fox Junior produces a Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir from Marlborough.
The name Fox Junior takes a cue from its namesake Foxes Island and a chapter from the life history of Sir William Fox and his adopted Maori son, William Fox Junior. The wines aim to deliver exceptional quality and everyday value to the consumer.
“When I judge wines, I look for wines that are well made, have regional distinction and are exemplary in their class. It is always exciting to see great wines that have a real sense of place and can still deliver on value” says Belsham. “I have been fortunate that my various judging responsibilities have enabled me to stay connected to the consumer and to hear honest responses about the wines I choose. As a judge and a winemaker, it is certainly one of the most humbling and rewarding jobs that I do. “
“I am really excited about Fox Junior” says Belsham. “Foxes Island has always been about small production, Estate driven wines that push the envelope in winemaking and intellectually challenge me as a winemaker on every level. But because they are Estate wines, they will always be limited in production. Fox Junior allows me to create wines that have a similar pedigree to Foxes Island but I can make them more widely accessible and at price points that are more user friendly” say Belsham. “Now it’s my turn to ask consumers to be the judge.”
Both wines are designated Belsham Vineyard Selections which includes Belsham’s own Awatere Estate along with select vineyards that grow grapes to Belsham’s exacting standards. The suggested retail price in New Zealand for the Fox Junior 2008 Sauvignon Blanc is $19.99. The 2008 Pinot Noir suggested retail price is $28.99. The Fox Junior wines are distributed exclusively by Red & White Cellars in New Zealand.
CONTACT:
Foxes Island Wines
Kelly K. Brown
+64 (0)3 577 9243 ▪ kbrown@kbcglobal.net
P.O. Box 1039
Blenheim 7240, New Zealand
www.foxes-island.co.nz
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Thursday 29 October 2009
MONTE ANTICO
Sangiovese-Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon Toscana 2006 (90 points)
Bright plum, dried cherry and flowers on the nose. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and refined berry and cherry flavors. Drink now. 80,000 cases made. From Italy.
-James SucklingWine Spectator's editors have selected this wine as the best buy of the week.
October 2009