Wine stars come to Nelson to talk aromatics

Media Release
17 April 2006

International wine stars come to Nelson to talk aromatics

Nelson will play host to stars of the international wine world next February when it holds a one-day symposium on Riesling and Pinot Gris.

The symposium is being organised by local winemakers as part of an extended programme for those attending the Pinot Noir 2007 celebration in Wellington.

A symposium on Syrah is also being held in Hawke’s Bay the weekend before Pinot Noir 2007.

The Riesling and Pinot Gris Symposium will be held on Saturday 3 February 2007 in the Upper Moutere Valley and will provide delegates with the chance to taste some of New Zealand’s finest Pinot Gris and Riesling alongside top international examples.

They will also be able to sample some of the region’s seafood and enjoy discussions on such topics as The Aromatic Renaissance and Interpreting Terroir through Aromatic Varieties.

Among the guest speakers will be Australia’s Jeff Grosset of Grosset Wines in South Australia. Jeff was named by Wine and Spirits Magazine in the US as one of the 50 most influential winemakers in the world in 2005 and in 1998 was voted the Inaugural Volvo/ Wine Magazine Australian Winemaker of the Year and International Riesling Winemaker of the Year at the Riesling Summit II, Hamburg.

Olivier Zind Humbrecht is another guest speaker with a passion for biodynamic farming techniques and whose Alsatian vineyard Domaine Zind Humbrecht produces world-renowned Riesling, Gewürtztraminer, and Pinot Gris.

Spokesperson Judy Finn from Neudorf Vineyards says Riesling and Pinot Gris are classic wines that are currently enjoying a renaissance world-wide.

“Most winemakers I know adore Riesling. It is a grape with many faces - often succulent, minerally and with delicious tight acidity it is the most refreshing of wines.

“It has traditionally been a hard sell but people are starting to become aware of the charms of Riesling.

“Pinot Gris is also hot right now. It’s a wine which suits Asian cuisine – it loves coconut cream, lime juice and chilli. It is also a great wine to drink as an aperitif and is often about texture as much as flavour.”

For more information about the Riesling and Pinot Gris Symposium or to register, contact Judy Finn at Neudorf Vineyards: judy@neudorf.co.nz

Registrations for Pinot Noir 2007 and the two symposia are also now open via the website www.pinotnoir2007.co.nz

ENDS

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