The Event: The Great New Zealand Wine Tiki Tour Toronto May 2017

The Date and Time: Wednesday May 10, 2017  1PM - 5PM

The Event: The Great New Zealand Wine Tiki Tour Toronto

The Venue:ROM

The Target Audience: wine trade

The Availability/Catalogue: the catalogue was loaded with data about grape varieties and sustainability, plus of course the distribution and prices for the wines.

The Quote/Background: From the American Association of Wine Economists came some interesting figures for export by leading variety in 2016: Sauvignon Blanc 181.94 million litres, followed by Pinot Noir at 12.17 million litres, Chardonnay (6.06 million litres), and Pinot Gris (4.71).

The Wines: I attended the Pinot Noir Masterclass led by Sara d'Amato, and folded in my scores with the show itself. I did not taste every wine.

 

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Te Kairanga Runholder Pinot Noir Martinborough 2015  $35 Select

-John Forrest Collection Pinot Noir Waitaki Valley 2015  $49.95   Abcon

-Saint Clair Pioneer Block 15 Strip Block Pinot Noir Marlborough 2015 Lower Waihopai Valley  $34.95  PMA Canada

-Tohu Atwatere Valley Pinot Noir Marlborough 2015  $34.95  Connexion Oenophilia

-Giesen Fuder Clayvin Chardonnay Marlborough 2014  $60 Charton-Hobbs

-Greywacke Wild Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2014 $39.95  Connexion Oenophilia

-Greywacke Pinot Noir Marlborough 2011 $49.95 +402651 Vintages Connexion Oenophilia

-Lawson's Dry Hills Gewurztraminer Marlborough 2016  +619475 Vintages

-Nautilus Pinot Noir Marlborough 2014 Southern Valleys +606913  $35.95

-Nobilo Icon Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2016  $24.95  Constellation

-Saint Clair Dawn Methode Traditionnelle Marlborough 2012  $49.95  PMA Canada

-te Pa Oke Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015 Wairau Valley  $29.95  Univins

-Villa Maria Single Vineyard Southern Clays Pinot Noir Marlborough 2014 Wairau Valley  $59.99

-Spy Valley ENVOY Johnson Vineyard Pinot Gris Marlborough 2014 Waihopai Valley +143644 Vintages $29.95

 

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Spy Valley ENVOY Johnson Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015 Waihopai Valley +429308 Vintages $29.95

-Te Mania Pinot Noir Nelson 2015 $27.99  Small Winemakers

-Esk Valley Pinot Noir Marlborough 2015 $24.99 Hobbs & Co

-te Pa Pinot Noir Marlborough 2015 Benmorven  $24.95   Univins

-Greystone Pinot Noir Waipara Valley 2015  $45  Noble Estates

-Mount Riley Limited Release Pinot Noir Central Otago 2015 Gibbston  $27   Kirkwood Diamond

-Akarua Pinot Noir Central Otago 2015 Banockburn  $39.95 Vintages Pending

-Paddy Borthwick Pinot Noir Wairarapa 2015  $32  Nicholas Pearce

-Sacred Hill Special Selections Helmsman Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Cabernet Franc Hawke's Bay 2014  +175646 Vintages $59.95

-Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Chardonnay Marlborough 2014  +495010 Vintages $31.95

-Astrolabe Valleys Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2016 Awatere Valley  $22.95  Rogers & Co

-Babich Black Label Pinot Noir Marlborough 2015  +465963 Vintages $27.95

-Elephant Hill Reserve Merlot Cabernet Hawke's Bay 2013 $49.95  HHD Imports

-Thornbury Sauvignon Blanc 2016 Marlborough $18.95 +734798 Vintages

-Thornbury Chardonnay 2015 Gisborne $18.95 +135322 Vintages

-Blind River Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2016  $27.95  Wine Guru

-Blind River Pinot Noir Marlborough 2015  $32.95  Wine Guru

-Lion Huntaway Pinot Noir Central Otago 2015  $29.95  Profile

-Marisco The King's Legacy Chardonnay Marlborough 2015 +393694 Vintages $19.95

-Matua Squealing Pig Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015  $19.25  Mark Anthony

-Oyster Bay Sparkling Cuvee Brut Hawke's Bay NV  +163634  $21.95

-Oyster Bay Sparkling Cuvee Rose Hawke's Bay NV  +280172  $21.95

-Sacred Hill Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2016 +490326 Vintages $21.95

-Villa Maria Reserve Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2016 Awatere Valley  $24.95 Vintages Pending

 

*** GOOD -- Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Clos Henri Petit Clos Pinot Noir Marlborough 2015 Upper Wairau Valleys  $23.99  Charton-Hobbs

-Mudhouse Single Vineyard Claom 431 Pinot Noir Central Otago 2015 Bendigo  $28  Mondia Alliance

-Maude Pinot Noir Central Otago 2015 Cromwell, Lowbrun and Pisa Valleys  $38  Agent?

-Elephant Hill Syrah Hawke's Bay 2014   $34.95 HHD Imports

-Forrest Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2016  $22.50  Abcon

-Spy Valley Chardonnay Marlborough 2015 Southern Valleys  $22.95  Noble Estates

 

The Food: Daniel & Daniel supplied cheeses, charcuterie, breads, crackers, veggies and dips.

The Downside: we had 14 Riedel Pinot Noir glasses for the seminar; these large vessels were so close together on my tasting mat that I was nervous every time I tasted a sample.

The Upside: a good chance to see where the industry was today in its campaign for sustainability: 98% certification for all NZ wineries.

The Contact Person: info@ketchin.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com