New Zealand Riesling 30 th April 2010

Pretaster Bascand Sauvignon Blanc 2005 (Malborough)

Riesling One of the best aging white wines due to natural high acidity levels. High sugar content provides for additional preservation – sweeter Rieslings age longer More common in South Island regions. South Island regions produce Riesling with a vibrant, crisp character and a diverse array of regional styles ranging from steely, dry Riesling to intensely sweet, lush, botrytis-affected wines.

Riesling Favors cool climates and long sunshine hours Ripens relatively late in the season Long, slow ripening and proper pruning keeps the yield low and the flavour concentrated Often reflects place of upbringing Important to have fruit purity – more important than winemaker tricks!

Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay Pinot Gris Riesling

Waipara & Canterbury Malborough Waitaki Valley

Waipara & Canterbury Malborough Waitaki Valley

Cloudy Bay Riesling 2005 Nose: floral fragrance of wild honey and beeswax. Hints of fresh kaffir lime leaf and lemon blossom. Palate is generous and judiciously balanced. Mouth-watering citrus flavours amplify the floral aromatics. Crisp off-dry finish. 11.5%, 5.4 g/l RS

Kaffir lime Native to Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. Used in Southeast Asian cuisine, but grown worldwide as a backyard shrub. Commonly used in Lao and Thai curry paste, adding an aromatic, astringent flavour.

Bouldevines The Grid Riesling 2006 Bottle aged characters: lime marmalade, honey, a touch of toast and classic Riesling citrus fruits. Nose: Citrus flavours and lemon skin backed with a slight hint of kerosene. Palate: Linear Acid back bone, flushed out with opulent filling fruit weight. Lingering citrus & pear. Gala apple, lime & guava was top in latest Cuisine magazine. 13.0%, 7.4 g/l RS, 7.8 g/l TA - Bob Campell

Cloudy Bay Riesling 2005 Bouldevines The Grid Riesling 2006 $30.17 $8.99

Waipara & Canterbury Malborough Waitaki Valley

Craggy Range Winery Riesling Otago Station Vineyard 2008 Beautifully fresh, with elegance and spine. Bone dry. The river-stone style gives lots to enjoy now, and lots more to open up. Last at least 5 years. 11%

Kurow Village Riesling 2008 Crisp and clean in appearance Nose is particularly fragrant exhibiting green apple and fresh lime notes, underpinned by floral fragrance. Dry palate with steely hints and a core of lively acidity. Ripe apple and apricot fruit balance the fresh citrus attack. Long and full finish. 11%, 16.7g/l RS

Craggy Range Winery Riesling Otago Station Vineyard 2008 Kurow Village Riesling 2008 $31.53 $19.86

Raffle Leaning Rock Pinot Noir 2002 Central Otago

Waipara & Canterbury Malborough Waitaki Valley

Main Divide Riesling 2008 Citrus fruit characters. Lemons and limes, but also an undercurrent of white fleshed peaches and nectarines. Hints of honeysuckle and extra concentration and richness from the Botrytis. Natural acidity & minerality. 12%

Pegasus Bay 2008 Riesling Humid Autumn conditions led to some Botrytis developing – honeysuckle and honeycomb influences. Lemons, limes and mandarins at the fore, with a background of ripe stonefruit. Natural acidity and tingling minerality helps draw out the palate structure to a citrus zest finish. - Michael Cooper 13%, 30 g/L RS.

Botrytis

Main Divide Riesling 2008 Pegasus Bay Riesling 2008 $16.31 $24.73 (case) ~$28

Pegasus Bay Aria Late Harvest Riesling 2008 Late autumn humid conditions led to some botrytis developing. Honeysuckle and honeycomb characters. Spritzig. Result of natural carbon dioxide. Ripe stone fruit characters: yellow fleshed peaches and apricots intertwined with hints of lychees, loquats and fresh figs. Winemaking influences kept to a minimum. Citrus impressions of lemons, limes and mandarins supported by a core of tingling acidity and minerality, drawing out the length and acting as a perfect foil to its luscious sweetness. Continue to improve for 5-7 years and live 15 years+.

Giesen. The Brothers Canterbury Riesling 2005 Auslese style Riesling. Fruit sourced from one of the original Giesen Canterbury vineyards, planted in Full of fruit with clean fresh acidity. No botrytis! Pure concentration of classic mandarin and citrus peel, balanced by pure gingery spice, sweetness with great length. 7.5%, 97g/l RS

Pegasus Bay Aria Late Harvest Riesling 2008 Giesen. The Brothers Canterbury Riesling 2005 $33.51 $28.12

Next Tasting Pinot Noir 21 st May