I will be in New Zealand and Australia from May 9 - 14th, for business stopping in Wellington, and Auckland in New Zealand and Sydney and Melbourne in Australia.
Not sure of the free time I will have but would like any guidance on wineries that are close or wines I should look for there that you can't find in the US. I am particular to reds though I understand NZ has some great whites.
Any help appreciated. Dan
"Daniel Tortoricci" in message
New Zealand's wineries are centred in the main around Marlborough and Hawkes Bay - neither within short commuting distance from either Auckland or Wellington.
Here are a handful of wineries in West Auckland, about an hour from downtown.
If you have a half day, then Martinborough is 1 1/2 hours (rental car drive) north of Wellington.
This is NZs best Pinot Noir growing region; also making some pretty smart Sauvignon, Riesling and Chardonnay.
Similar situation on Australia - anything worth visiting is a minimum of a day visit away from downtown Sydney or Melbourne.
Regarding wines: if you can find anywhere in Sydney that sells Castagna wines, buy some. The purity of flavours is outstanding. The location is Beechworth fwiw, but they don't take visitors anyway. Cost about mid $40 AUD You will have to hunt in better bottle shops though.
Ron Lel
If you get the chance... try a riesling from Otago. It is perhaps the smoothest Riesling that I have ever tasted. While I was vacationing in Wellington, I purchased a bottle from Kircaldie and Stains specialty food section and it was fabulous!!!
Otago near the bottom of South Island so the ripening of the grape is slow from the relatively cold climate. It is fantastic.
Hi Dan and All
Have been a bit of a lurker but If I can help at all, by connecting you to NZ Viticulture websites and information please let me know. My hobby site might be of use or interest to many of you.
There are some absolutely brilliant wines being made in NZ, and a few days is way not enough to appreciate even the "tip of the iceberg" - I can only hope that my site may help you explore NZ Wines and Wineries "Virtually".
Have a safe and successful trip!
Cheers
John
NZ Winelinks - Linking you to the Wines, Vineyards and Viticulture of New Zealand Web:
On Tue, 4 May 2004 09:12:06 -0700, Daniel Tortoricci took the time to tell us :
Re Melbourne: If Chardonnays and Pinot's are to your liking, about an hour east from Melbourne CBD is 2 regions for these wines. Mornington Pennisula, and my backyard...the Yarra Valley. You could do either with a day trip. Many of the wineries are open for tastngs. A trip N-West, (a couple of hours), will land you in Heathcote, home of the trendiest Victorian Shiraz'. In the West, down Geelong way, there are a number of boutique wineries. I am biased, but a wine tour around the Yarra Vallley would be preferred, as the hills in autumn is a spectacular kaleidoscope of colour, and the wines/winery hospitality/ restaurants are first class.
Regards Swooper
DrinksForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.