New Zealand .. A great place to grow wine grapes

There are rules as to the locations for growing wine grapes that are most specific. Growers must take into consideration temperature, both day and night, air moisture, wind, soil, and insects. In the Bordeaux region of Southeastern France it has been found over hundreds of years that the cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc and merlot do exceptionally well, while the pinot noir, chardonnay and the gamay do poorly there. The exact opposite is the case in the northeastern Burgundy region.
When the new world became a grape growing region, growers looked to plant their grapes in areas with the same characteristics as those of France. The Napa Valley proved ideal for the Bordeaux styles while Sonoma favored the Burgundies. Australia’s hot, dry climate proved ideal for the semillon, riesling and shiraz (syrah).
And then there’s New Zealand. The cool, moist windy climate of the island nation proved to be not only ideal but exceptional for the growing of Burgundian style grapes. It is the opinion of almost all of the experts that the Sauvignon blanc wines of New Zealand are the finest in the world with the pinot noirs running head to head with the finest from Burgundy. With that said, it is obvious that we are going to be writing about New Zealand wine; the wine of two of the finest producers on that island Nobilo and Kim Crawford.

Nobilo 2008 East Coast Pinot Grigio ($15.39). The Nobilo pinot grigio is rapidly becoming the most popular imported white wine in this country. This is a wine that will admirably accompany all of our light summer foods as well as being perfect for outdoor parties. The aromas of rose petal and spicy citrus mingle with the hints of peach and apricot, which soon give way to a delightful and enticing lemon. On the palate the wine is crisp and clean with no off flavors. This wine is definitely ready for summer and for you to try.

Kim Crawford 2008 East Coast Pinot Grigio ($18.99). This is a big and full flavored wine whose aroma displays intense ripe pear and honeysuckle aromas with floral notes. The flavor is, to say the least, equally massive for a usually sedate pinot grigio. Tropical fruits and ripe melon flavors mingle with those of vanilla and soft oak, which are enhanced by a pronounced acid bite. The finish of this wine is big, fruity and long lasting. This wine is not a wimp by any means, and like it or not, it makes a loud and clear statement about the true potential of a well-made pinot grigio.

Nobilo Marlborough 2008 Pinot Noir ($14).The Nobilo vintners show their ability to tame this very difficult variety with this offering. It is a delightful, medium bodied, light ruby colored wine with a heady, full fruit aroma that accents cherries and spice. The flavor continues to accent cherries coupled with an under flavor of vanilla and oak. There is a modest tannin background, which will assure that the wine will continue to improve and gain in complexity over many years to come. This wine is a fine accompaniment to the lighter meats and pasta dishes. We always enjoy a pinot noir with grilled salmon and the proved to be the perfect accompaniment.

Kim Crawford 2008 Unoaked Chardonnay. ($18.99) This wine has been produced without the use of oak, either in the fermentation or the aging, so that the true chardonnay flavors and aromas remain unhindered by external influences. This is a comfortable wine that combines all of the elements of a great chardonnay into a mellow, soft, flavorful, and easy to drink beverage. The aroma is heavy with the scents of peaches, apples, and vanilla with a mineral-like element in the background. The flavor is bright, fruity and crisp accenting green apples and pears. The finish is soft and possesses a toast-like element. From beginning to end this is a grand wine and as we have previously stated, worth far more than its very reasonable price.