Don and Pam are currently visiting New Zealand in search of quality Kiwi wines suitable for adding to the Norwood's inventory. Here are some notes on the trip:
In a sheltered bay, much like Massachusetts Bay, and near Auckland, sits Waiheke Island. Its latitude (≈ 39° although south of the Equator) is similar to Memphis, Tennessee. It's a nice latitude for growing grapes, and not surprisingly, vineyards abound. We visited several.
Pam and Don are in the hills above Auckland
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Auckland
A reminder about the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are opposite those in our home country. In late August here in New Zealand they're just coming out of winter. That's why we're often seen in long sleeves, sweaters, and jackets. And no, the toilets do not flush in the opposite direction…
We did a tour of Waiheke Island and got a few pic's. There are several wineries on the island. We visited the Kennedy Point winery, the Mud Brick winery, and the Te Whau winery. A search on any of those names will net a website devoted to them
While at the Te Whau Winery, I purchased 8 bottles of the 2005 “The Point”. It is a killer Bordeaux blend that is expensive but out of sight. This is a great picture of the owner Tony Forsyth. The 2008 vintage will be the best vintage in recent history.
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Tony and “The Point”
About the wine (from Te Whau's web site):
…Prior to assembling and blending of the finished wine, each barrel is tasted, and any that fails to meet the highest standard is not included in our flagship wine, simply called “The Point”. The wine is not fined or filtered prior to bottling.
2005 Vintage: Merlot 43%, Cabernet Sauvignon 42%, Cabernet Franc 10%, Malbec 5%
…Our very steep north-facing slope, abundant sunshine and the virtual absence of rainfall translated into small, thick-skinned berries, picked between 28 March and 15 April. The 2005 Vintage was our lowest crop on record, with an even yield of cabernet sauvignon and merlot, supported by small amounts of cabernet franc and malbec.…The finished wine was bottled at Te Whau Winery in December, 2006, with only a polishing filter. Alcohol 13.5% by volume, Titratable Acidity is 5.2 grams per litre. 440 cases made plus 4 imperials, 12 double magnums and 60 magnums.
Mud Brick Vineyard is run by a couple not unlike us, a young couple with a dream. These are some of their offerings.
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Mud Brick Vineyards, Wiaheke Island
Here we are on the Mud Brick Winery grounds on Church Bay Road up on the hills.
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View from Mud Brick Winery
We also visited Te Mata Winery down the coast from Auckland. At Te Mata we tasted many of the wonderful wines from 2008 vintage—the '08 Sauvignon Blanc is absolutely wonderful.
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Te Mata, 2007 “Marlborough Pinot”
The Wayward Travelers and their best friends!
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Sampling again
Beautiful sunshine, but it's still winter as you can see by the jackets.
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The Traveling Tasters from Florida
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