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Is Wine Recession Proof?
As times get tougher New Zealanders are holding on tightly to that evening bottle of wine. A recent Sunday Star-Times survey showed that the spending habits of their readers have changed markedly as people watch their budgets with hawk-eye precision, but there are some things Kiwis say they just won't give up. Topping that list is the evening bottle of wine. New Zealand is clearly in a recession but the world is becoming more populated and wealthier so ultimately the demand for New Zealand wine, in general, and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, in particular, is still growing.
On a recent trip to Marlborough, The Marlborough Express reported Prime Minister John Key declaring that "We've got what the world wants. Marlborough's wine industry will help New Zealand cut a quick track out of the recession." Although we're hearing damning recession reports in the media and we're all feeling the pinch, the best New Zealand wine producers will bounce back, emerging stronger than ever.
Al Soper, Winemaker/Managing Director
Gold Trifecta Special
We have put together this Gold Trifecta Special pack for our New Zealand mail order customers. Get 2 bottles of each of these Royal Easter Show gold medal winners;
Highfield Sauvignon Blanc 2008 - trophy & gold
Highfield Riesling 2008 - gold
Highfield Chardonnay 2007 - gold
$130
per 6 bottle case
Save $21 and get free delivery nationwide.
We have made purchasing a 12 bottle case of Highfield wines even better. Not only do you still get free delivery nationwide but you also save 10% on the price of the wine. Check out our order form page to order
A Decade of Gold
The Royal Easter Show gold medal awarded to Highfield Sauvignon Blanc 2008 stretches the unbroken run of gold medals to 10 years for the same wine. Winemaker Alistair Soper said "We've earned gold medals with every vintage of the Sauvignon Blanc for the last decade. I doubt that any other winery could better that, especially as we only enter our wines into a handful of shows each year".
It has been a full decade now since Al first took over the wine making reins at Highfield Estate in Marlborough. Since that first vintage in 1999 he's had a remarkable run of success. The performance at the Royal Easter Show is particularly significant for Al who said "We entered five wines this year, so to win three golds and one trophy is a wonderful result. For Highfield wines we only use 'free-run juice' which is the juice that comes from the weight of the grapes and not from pressing them. This gives us the very finest quality juice to work with".
At the Awards Dinner held in Auckland, the Champion Export Wine Trophy was accepted by winemakers, Mike Mullany and Jeremy Brown. This is the third time Highfield Sauvignon Blanc has won this particular Trophy. Each year the trophy is awarded by the guest overseas judge, who this year was Australian wine judge Mike DeGaris. He says "It's great to see Highfield recognised yet again for its excellence in the export Awards. Three times in 10 years shows how consistent and quality driven their wines are."
Al's talent as a winemaker and style of winemaking is endorsed by Master of Wine Bob Campbell who considers Highfield as "clearly one of Marlborough's first division wine producers. When you buy a Highfield wine you are literally buying the cream of the crop" commented Campbell.
Reviews and Accolades
Highfield Sauvignon Blanc 2008 - Potential Classic
Michael Cooper states that "Potential classics are the pool from which future classics will emerge. These are wines of outstanding quality which look likely to qualify after another vintage or two for elevation to classic status."
Michael Cooper's Buyer's Guide to NZ Wine 2009 5 stars
Royal Easter Show Wine Awards GOLD & TROPHY
Highfield Riesling 2008
Made in an expressive fruit driven style and stop-fermented to retain medium residual sweetness, this wine has floral orange blossom and apricot aromas. It is vivacious in the mouth with a lingering fresh citrusy, finish.
Royal Easter Show Wine Awards GOLD
Highfield Chardonnay 2007
"This years' Chardonnay is even better than the 2006 and already quite expressive. Barrel-fermented and lees-aged, it is weighty and rich, with a creamy, youthful bouquet, concentrated, sweet-fruit flavours, finely integrated oak and lovely texture."
Michael Cooper's Buyer's Guide to NZ Wine 2009 5 stars
Royal Easter Show Wine Awards GOLD
Elstree Cuvee Brut 2004
"This is easily the best Elstree since 1999. It's an unusually dry style (4 grams/litre of residual sugar), pale straw, with a fine, steady 'bead'. The bouquet is fresh and biscuity; The palate is crisp and vivacious, tight and youthful, with excellent intensity of citrusy , yeasty flavours."
Michael Cooper's Buyer's Guide to NZ Wines 2009 4 ½ stars
Highfield Pinot Noir 2007
"Polished, focused and poised on a razor edge of lively acidity, this delivers oak-framed berry and spice flavours with pizzazz. Finishes harmoniously. Drink now through to 2015."
Wine Spectator 90 points
The Mill Stream Project
Highfield has released the first ever Mill Stream Pinot Noir 2007. Sales of this wine go partly towards the Mill Stream Project. The Mill Stream flows down the Omaka Valley and borders Highfield. The Mill Stream Project is an initiative made up of about 30 farmers, vineyard owners and lifestylers working to maintain water quality and improve the habitat for aquatic life. Late last year the group planted hundreds of native plants along the stream banks. "We aim to turn the Mill Stream and its surroundings into an oasis for native birds, lizards, frogs and aquatic life. Grapevines are great but it's important to mix things up by encouraging biodiversity and to return the stream to its natural state" said Naomi Galvin, Highfield's Project Leader.
Marlborough Maori artist Linda Waimarie King was commissioned to paint and design the Mill Stream label to reflect the rejuvenation of the Mill Stream. The actual painting is on display at Highfield's cellar door. A limited edition of only 1000 bottles of Mill Stream Pinot Noir 2007 were made and will continue to be made only in exceptional years. The grapes for this unique wine were sourced solely from Highfield's oldest and best vineyard, the Mill Stream Vineyard, which surrounds the winery.
The grapes were hand-picked, hand-sorted and then hand-plunged. Rather than pumping the wine, the winemakers used gravity techniques to ensure the gentlest handling of the wine. The wine was then aged for 15 months in new French oak barriques. "We've created a rich, well-structured Pinot Noir which shows the best of Highfield and will continue to develop for at least 10 years" commented Al Soper, Winemaker. Each bottle comes presented in this single, or three bottle, branded wooden collectors case, together with a numbered certificate.
The Calm After the Storm
Marlborough, like a lot of the country, was slammed in July last year by a storm. Torrential rain combined with severe winds saw the Mill Stream below Highfield burst its banks creating a temporary river through the vineyard. Luckily the vines were lying dormant over winter and therefore no long-term damage occurred. It took days for the water to subside but the Pinot Noir vines are now doing well and supporting a healthy crop. In fact the vines didn't even need to be irrigated this summer.
Harvest started slightly late this year with Chardonnay grapes for the Elstree picked on Wednesday 25 March, two weeks later than last year. We're now well into vintage and it looks like it's going to be a great one.
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