Volcanic Wine Tasting with John Szabo, MS
VOLCANIC WINE REGIONS - TASTING AND LEARNING WITH JOHN SZABO MS
John Szabo MS
John Szabo is both a master sommelier and expert on wines from vines grown on volcanic soils around the world. His recent visit to participate in the W&F Celebration has prompted broad regional discussions and reflection on the significance of Auckland’s own volcanic heritage and wines produced in this region. Over four days in Auckland, I was able to introduce John to Auckland's wine region while also tasting a range of international wines.
John’s visit was jointly sponsored by ATEED, New Zealand Winegrowers and the New Zealand School of Food and Wine. His presentations were part of the inaugural Elemental Festival.
VOLCANIC WINE STYLES
John describes wines from volcanic regions as often ‘less fruity and more savoury’ with a tingling sensation of high acidity and a saltiness - ‘a sense of sodium chloride in the wines’. Often the wines are described as showing minerality which he describes as “one of those terms that it seem people use when they don’t know what else to say”.
John’s first comment upon landing in Auckland was that he had never tasted any wines from the region. We visited Michael Brajkovich MW of Kumeu River and learnt of their rusty iron pan that Michael believes gives power to the flinty Hunting Hill Chardonnay.
Inside Villa Maria's crater, we learnt more about the soils that are key to their Ihumatao wines especially the highly awarded Chardonnay. Sir George Fistonich, Fabian Yukich and Head Winemaker, David Roper introduced John to their Auckland grown wines. A detailed discussion included a tour of the crater tuff and explanation about the different viticultural practiced used. At Ihumatao, Villa also make a Verdelho (white grape from Portugal) and Gewurztraminer. John felt that both wines, along with the Chardonnay are outstanding examples and should be supported as flagship wines of Auckland.
At an informal gathering of geologists and geotechnical engineers, along with viticulturist Milan Brajkovich, debate ranged on the definition and interpretation of Auckland's Volcanic Field to the draft geological map of the region prepared by Natasha Kirkeby of Tonkin and Taylor. The general consensus was that all of Auckland is based volcanically derived soils.
FLIGHT ONE: WHITE WINES
Argyros Atlantis White 2017, Santorini, Greece
Viñatigo Marmajuelo 2015, Islas Canarias-Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
Demeter Zoltán Tokaji Furmint Veres 2015, Tokaj, Hungary
Suavia Soave Classico Monte Carbonare 2017, Veneto, Italy
Sommelier Miyaki Morimoto from The Grove. John describes volcanic rock composition.
FLIGHT TWO
Salvo Foti - I Vigneri Etna Rosso ‘Aurora' 2017, Sicilia, Italy
Girolamo Russo Etna Rosso ‘a’ Rina' 2016 Sicilia, Italy
Girolamo Russo wines are made by Guiseppe Russo from bush vines on narrow lava terraces located on the north face of Mount Etna at 650 meters. The hero, is the local black grape Nerello Mascalesewith some vines over 80 years old, pruned and hoed individually.The black volcanic soils enable the important black grape to thrive.
Cristom Eileen Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015, Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Elena FucciAglianico del Vulture ‘Titolo’ 2016, Basilicata, Italy
John Szabo MS and Michael Brajkovich MW
FLIGHT THREE: AUCKLAND WINES
Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay 2018, Kumeu, New Zealand
Villa Maria Ihumateo Vineyard Chardonnay 2017, Mangere, New Zealand
Takatu Matakana, Merlot, Franc, Malbec 2014, Matakana, New Zealand
Frenchmans Hill Estate, Blood Creek 8 2013, Waiheke Island, New Zealand
MAP OF AUCKLAND'S WINE REGION
The Map of Auckland's geological profile was prepared by Natasha Kirkeby using the regional's map from the Institute of Geographical and Nuclear Sciences with the vineyards located by Google Maps.
Visit to Kumeu River & Villa Maria
Sampling direct from barrel at Kumeu River.
Looking down from the crater rim and across the vineyards planted in Villa Maria's Auckland home.
Waiheke Island
We travelled to Man O'War on Waiheke Islandto meet with winemaker, Duncan McTavish. He was intrigued by the discussion around Auckland’s volcanic terroir. Man O’Warof has 76 individual vineyard sights, each with a distinct soil profile and micro climate including large basalt (volcanic) rocks on the road to Stony Batter.
We then travelled to meet David Evans of Passage Rock,Rory Dunleavy of Te Motu and a final tasting at Cable Bay.
John on Waiheke Island tour. Map of Man O'Wars' 76 vineyard plots on the north east corner of Waiheke Island.
Man O'War vineyards in the background with a large basalt boulder, evidence of its volcanic heritage.
