pw-wines

Grenache back in the spotlight

info@pwwine.co.nz (Alistair Picton-Warlow) — Sat, 21 Aug 2021 05:24:20 GMT

The rise in popularity of lighter and medium-bodied red wines around the world has seen a resurgence in Australian Grenache in recent years. The versatility of the grape means it is finding favour among consumers as a single varietal wine as well as a crucial component in a range of different styles of red blends and rosé wines. In 2020, James Halliday recognised Yangarra's High Sands Grenache from McLaren Vale as his 2020 Wine of Year. This year in New Zealand we have seen a 33 % increase in the sale of Grenache blends.

Grenache is one of my favourite grape varietals. When I was last in Adelaide I spoke to an interesting winemaker who forecasted the growth of Grenache as an alternative to Pinot Noir. I am excited to see how this develops over the next few years in the New Zealand Market.

Have you tried Grenache? What are your thoughts on it as a varietal?

New Zealand's best cycle trails for wine lovers

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 00:47:38 GMT

Fine wine and a bicycle – a match made in heaven, especially when enjoyed in beautiful surroundings with two flutes of bubbles already in your belly.

We jest, of course. We would never advocate wobbling and weaving around the vines.

We do, however, wholeheartedly encourage responsible exploration of this country’s world-class wine regions on six easy and super-tasty Great Rides.

Vintage 2021: Marlborough down 21 per cent, smallest harvest in six years

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 00:47:39 GMT

Marlborough’s wine vintage is down 21 per cent on last year's crop, and is the smallest harvest since 2015.

Early frosts and cool weather during flowering season were factors in the drop which will leave some wineries struggling to meet demand. New Zealand Winegrowers figures released on Friday showed 269,521 tonnes of grapes were harvested in Marlborough this year.

Across New Zealand there were 370,000 tonnes of grapes harvested during the 2021 vintage, down 19 per cent on last year’s crop.

Regions throughout the middle of the country, including Wairarapa, Marlborough, Nelson, and North Canterbury, were affected the most, down over 20 per cent on 2020.

However, there was some variability across different parts of the country, with Central Otago the one region to increase its crop, up 21 per cent on last year’s harvest.

New Zealand's grape harvest falls but winegrowers remain optimistic

Sun, 13 Jun 2021 00:47:39 GMT

New Zealand Winegrowers say this year's grape crop is 19 percent smaller than last year's, but the quality is 'exceptional'.

Only 370,000 tonnes of grapes were harvested during the 2021 vintage.

New Zealand Winegrowers chief executive Philip Gregan said this is 19 percent less than last year's crop. That's a shortfall equivalent to seven million nine-litre cases of wine.

But that smaller 2021 vintage is being described as exceptional, thanks to favourable weather conditions.

"The autumn was wonderful throughout the country. It's going to deliver wines from Kaitaia down to Alexandra of really fantastic quality.