New Zealand’s first Albariño wine awarded a Trophy on debut!
Media Release – 23 August 2012
New
Zealand’s first Albariño wine awarded a Trophy on
debut!
In 2011 Coopers Creek Vineyard
crafted the first Albariño wine made in New Zealand;
now the 2012 vintage has won a major Trophy.
In
2011 one barrel of New Zealand’s first Albariño
wine was made by Coopers Creek Vineyard and praised by wine
critics. The second vintage has just been released and in
its very first outing has been awarded a Trophy at the
prestigious Bragato Wine Awards, held during the wine
industry’s annual conference. The Select Vineyards
Gisborne Albariño 2012 is available in restaurants and fine
wine stores nationally.
Albariño is widely planted in northwest Spain and Portugal, where it is recognised as their best and most fashionable white grape varietal. A member of the aromatic group of grape varieties, Albariño is loaded with classic peach and citrus fruit flavours backed up by zesty acids and a touch of saline minerality. Coopers Creek source the grapes from a Gisborne vineyard that specialises in a fascinating set of emerging varietals that are well suited to New Zealand’s cool climate terroir and intensive viticulture.
The new Albariño joins the Coopers Creek Select Vineyards range, a set of captivating new wines including Arneis, Grüner Veltliner, Viognier, Montepulciano, Syrah and Malbec. Its nickname is “Bell-Ringer”, reflecting a purity of flavour, its immediate appeal and quite appropriately the name of the grape growers in Gisborne, Doug & Delwyn Bell!
Albariño is perfect with fish, seafood and sushi, but the pairing possibilities are endless. It’s a food-friendly wine that pairs well with all sorts of cuisine, Albariño will stand up to spicy Thai or Indian dishes, Mexican and even Chinese. Recently Food&Wine.com described Albariño as “the next great summer wine” – we quite agree!
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