The huge success of the
Lord of the Rings trilogy of films has focused the world's attention on
the beautiful country in which the films were made - New Zealand. Aside
from rugby, sheep and hobbits the kiwis export increasing amounts of wine.
They were in town yesterday to host their biggest tasting in Dublin yet. Martin will be
discussing the tasting on News Talk 106FM’s Dublin Life show today (7/1/2004) after the 3pm news.
Everybody
showed their 2003 Sauvignon Blancs and the standards were very high in
general. Some of those that stood out , in no particular order included
Withers Hill, Matua Valley Paretai Vineyard, Kim Crawford, Tohu and
today's wine of the week, Hunter Estate Sauvignon
blanc 2003, 91/100, €16.95. It has attractive gooseberry,
lemon and passion fruit flavours plus a mineral quality that some of the
others didn't have which adds a touch of class.
Other varieties to show well included
rieslings and pinot noirs. Best rieslings included Felton Rd,
Framingham, Kim
Crawford and Gladstone vineyard. Pinot noirs were also a highpoint but
sadly some of the prices are, shall we say, ambitious. Ati Rangi's quality
justifes its reputation but at over €40, so it should. Other stars
included Felton Road, Cornish Point, Tohu and Withers Hill.
Biggest
disappointments were the chardonnays which in general bored me to tears
with way to much oak. Also Cloudy Bay is living on its past reputation.
The wines are perfectly fine but plenty do it better these days and more
cheaply too.
So
which wine goes best with hobbit? First catch your hobbit, roast and serve
with something full bodied. You catch the hobbit and I'll find a
wine.
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