Highlights of 2008

We thought we'd compile a short list of things we have enjoyed this year. For once, we have agreed to disagree and kept our choices personal. Needless to say eyebrows were raised at some of the highlights  . . . .

 

Jane :  Pol Roger Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill Champagne 1998.  Critics of wine shows are fond of saying that only the biggest and boldest stand out. If you follow that argument then after three days of judging the NZ International Wine Show, we should have overlooked this subtle, refined, delicate and seamless wine .  The fact that it stood head and shoulders above all the other wines in the class is proof that the 1998 WC is an absolute sensation.

Emma : Champagne Salon Le Mesnil 1995 – elegant, fabulous and delectable. Should be even better in 20 – 50 years.

 

Jane : Neudorf Tom's Block Pinot Noir. I love NZ Pinot Noir for its richness, opulence and fleshy sweetness and this wine has it in bundles. I had to positively wrestle the bottle out of my husband's grasp.

Emma : Chambers Rutherglen Grand Muscat – as well as being utterly decadent and delicious, this wine is a fabulous piece of vinous history and a bargain to boot.

 

Jane : Steingarten Riesling. I am heartily sick of being told that Riesling is the noblest of all white wines (when so obviously that crown is worn by Gewurztraminer) and, as a matter of principle, avoid them like the plague.  But sitting on a beach, eating freshly caught fish and a glass of Steingarten 1998, would have to be one of my best memories of the year.

Emma : Lindauer Special Reserve Blanc de Blancs – how do they consistently produce such good sparkling wine so cheaply?

 

Jane : Framingham's Andrew Hedley came to Auckland to present his new range of Noble Aromatics and I haven't enjoyed a tasting so much for ages. Fabulous wines, great food at Harbourside, Andrew's wife Deborah discussing the Buzzcocks . . .

Emma : Scenic Cellar’s Bordeaux vs. Gimblett Gravels Tasting for its surprising result and the opportunity to taste wonderful, and sadly now almost unaffordable Bordeaux. Oh, and some pretty smart Hawke’s Bay wines as well.  

 

Jane : Kingsley Wood. Not content to run a busy wine shop, NZ's biggest wine show and a wine options competition, KW still finds time to send out a weekly email, organise tastings for customers and run a rugby sweepstake.  And a tireless campaigner for the return of rich, oaky, full flavoured chardonnay. 

Emma : Eric Arnold (author of First Big Crush). For managing to write a book on wine that actually made me guffaw with laughter. (Although I doubt KS would say the same…)

 

Jane : Overuse of the word 'sustainable'. 

Emma : Excessive winery PR packs – especially those that don’t use spell-check or have nonsensical statements