New Zealand Wine Guide (2nd ed) book launch

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Recently we were able to celebrate the launch with a wine tasting (naturally) and a guest appearance by the illustrious wine maker and winery photographer, Kevin Judd.

"Kevin's photos provide evocative and meaningful illustrations of the story of New Zealand wine," says Celia Hay, author of the New Zealand Wine Guide. As founding winemaker and later general manager of Cloudy Bay, Kevin has a unique perspective on the development of New Zealand's dynamic wine sector. Kevin has gone on to found Greywacke with his wife Kimberley, in Marlborough.

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Kevin Judd, Live from Marlborough, discusses this image of vine pruning during winter at Felton Road, Central Otago.

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Celia asked Kevin to select a series of photos from the book that he thought captured an essence of the backstory. He then joined us live from his home in Marlborough to talk about these images. In the photo above, you can see the image of winter pruning at Felton Road as Kevin recounts his recollections of this photo to guests.

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Celia Hay shows her book to George Dennigan, GM of Soul Bar and Bistro.

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New Zealand Wine Guide book designer Donna Hoyle shares a canapé with Catherine Bell.

"I am also very grateful to Donna Hoyle for the book design and aesthetic. It's a real thrill to have such a beautiful book that is also a valued educational resource," comments Celia Hay.

Covid-19 has also forced innovation in unexpected ways and NZSFW has gone online with wine education classes.

"I have now successfully run two NZQA Certificate in New Zealand Wine our new micro-credential as ON-LINE courses using the New Zealand Wine Guide as the textbook and supplying students with a case of wine, via Glengarry, to taste along with me over 4 sessions."

People have joined from Northland to Central Otago and gained the qualification from the comfort of their lounge and enjoyed the interactive, on-Line platform for to learn and taste together. "This breaches the barriers of distance and the dark evenings of winter, plus it's fun," says Celia Hay.

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Screenshot of Certificate in New Zealand Wine Online, June 2020.

More details Wine Courses here.

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Carol Hirshfeld from Stuff.

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Karen Fistonich from Villa Maria and Tori Haysom.

WHAT'S YOUR WINE STYLE?

We tasted 15 wines and asked our guests to evaluate them considering the Fruit, Acid, Texture, Finish as well as if they would buy the wine.

Here are the wines that we tasted -

Kumeu River Cremant
Blackenbrook Pinot Gris 2019
Tongue in Groove Riesling 2015
Milton Chenin Blanc 2018
Hans Herzog Mistal: Viognier, Marsanne, Roussane 2016
Kelly Washington Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay 2018
Cambridge Road Pinot Noir 2017
Greywacke Pinot Noir 2017
Burn Cottage Pinot Noir 2016
Passage Rock Syrah 2019
Craggy Range Merlot 2016
Hans Herzong Tempranillo 2015
Oak Estate Late Harvest Chardonnay 2018
Pegasus Bay Finale Noble Sauvignon Semillon 2017

These are the top 5 rated wines

Millton Chenin Blanc 2018
Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay 2018
Burn Cottage Pinot Noir 2016
Hans Herzog Tempranillo 2015
Pegasus Bay Finale Noble Sauvignon Semillon 2017

These wines rated highest for question: would you buy this wine?

Millton Chenin Blanc 2018
Oak Estate Late Harvest Chardonnay 2018
Burn Cottage Pinot Noir 2016
Hans Herzog Tempranillo 2015
Pegasus Bay Finale Noble Sauvignon Semillon 2017

Just goes to show that many kiwis do have a sweet-spot for those luscious white wines and Pegasus Bay Finale Noble Sauvignon Semillon 2017 was the resounding winner on both questions.

But how many people are really buying sweet wines?