Hawke’s Bay Wine impresses international wine VIPs

Hawke’s Bay Wine impresses international wine VIPs

International wine celebrities and trade visitors have spent the weekend testing their knowledge of Hawke’s Bay wine as they’ve competed in The Hawke’s Bay Wine Amazing Race during the 2nd annual Hawke’s Bay Wine Celebration.

Teams traveled around Hawke’s Bay sub-regions making specific pit stops, where they deciphered clues and puzzles as well as competed in a variety of fun and challenging activities. Through games such as the Mini Wine Olympics and Blind Tasting they gathered clues along the way that helped them move forward in the game.

James Medina, CEO of Hawke’s Bay Wine says, “It’s such an entertaining way to showcase Hawke’s Bay wine. Amongst all the fun we educate trade visitors and international wine media about what makes Hawke’s Bay one of the greatest wine regions of the world.”

For the twenty-four local wineries involved it gives them the opportunity to form relationships with these VIPs, which is a foot in the door to international markets. Representatives of the wineries show the best of the region and the wine writers get to ask their questions to the wineries first hand. They get a real feeling for the wine – it’s a win-win for all involved.

Patrick Schmitt, Managing Editor in the UK for Drinks Business has been delighted to be part of the event. He says, “As a Chardonnay lover Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay really appeals to me, the Syrah is exceptional, I think it’s distinctive, very identifiable and memorable. I’ve been impressed by all the wines across the board, the quality is exceptionally high and the winemakers are extremely talented, the packaging of wines is also very good.”

With dinners at Black Barn, Ngatarawa Wines, and a tasting of Hawke’s Bay reds at Trinity Hill, there is something for everyone in the industry. The one-on-one time with the winery principals particularly for the internationals coming from the Netherlands, Germany, Canada, USA and Australia, is significant.

For Hawke’s Bay Wine, the organisers of the event, they’re all about getting Hawke’s Bay wine planted firmly on the international map. “The consistency in the quality of our wines, the climate and the beauty of our environment are of an international standing. When you’re surrounded by it every day it’s easy to think of it as nothing special – but what we have here is very special. The more we can get the internationals to experience our wine region first hand, the more results our wineries will see,” says James.

ENDS

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