It may not be a crowd favourite, but the gewürz tasted this year certainly impressed the panel, writes JOHN SAKER.
IF ONLY THE POPULARITY of New Zealand gewürztraminer matched the size of its name and personality. Because we make some very fine gewürz in this country, deserving of more recognition, as the results of this tasting indicate. When it came to five-star awards, the three garnered by the relatively small gewürztraminer category equaled riesling’s haul and surpassed the two given to pinot gris. “The average quality was very high,” said Simon Nunns. “Overall the wines were intriguing, inviting and yes… exciting.” Panel chair John Belsham noted that better food styles of gewürz were also emerging: “Increasingly, we’re seeing wines that are a little more restrained and are better suited to a wider variety of dishes.” Try it with the likes of Reuben sandwiches, washed rind cheeses, or pork belly with a pomegranate-rich coleslaw.
TASTING PANEL
For this New Zealand gewürztraminer tasting, John Belsham, an international wine judge and owner of Foxes Island Wines in Marlborough, was joined by Simon Nunns, winemaker at Coopers Creek, and John Saker, author and Cuisine wine writer.
TASTING METHOD
All wines are tasted blind. If, after discussion, the tasters do not agree on a star rating, the wine will receive the rating given by the majority but dissenting comments will be included in the wine notes. The scores of winemaker judges cannot exceed those of other judges.
An appropriate dab of sweetness enhances the gorgeousness of this wine’s fruit. …
2This youthful expression from Gisborne is off-dry in style. It opens up …
3“Lovely, heady nose,” noted Simon Nunns. This is a typical Spy Valley …
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