Fine Wines Of New Zealand 2019 have been announced.
New Zealand produces a range of world-class wines, renowned for their purity, vibrancy and unique characteristics. The result of an annual search, Fine Wines of New Zealand is curated by eight of New Zealand’s leading wine experts — Masters of Wine Alastair Maling, Emma Jenkins, Michael Brajkovich, Sam Harrop, Simon Nash, Steve Smith and David Allen along with Master Sommelier Cameron Douglas.
How do they get to this finding?
The Search
Each of the panel members is charged with a specific wine variety. Submissions are sought from the wine industry and the panel members put forward their recommendation of what they consider to be the finest examples within each of their respective varietals.
Group Tasting
These wines are then presented to the rest of the panel at the group tasting. Here, each of the wines are tasted blind and robustly debated with a refined selection called back from the initial offering to be re-tasted, this time with supporting back vintages.
Collective Agreement
Those wines that make it through to the group tasting are then once again tasted blind along with the existing Fine Wines to ensure a consistent standard of quality. Each wine is discussed in detail and only those wines that are collectively agreed upon, make the annual list.
Here is the list for 2019.
Sparkling
Nautilus Cuvee Marlborough Brut
No. 1 Reserve Marlborough Methode Traditionelle
Quartz Reef Methode Traditionnelle Vintage
Aromatics
Dry River Lovat Gewurztraminer
Framingham F series Riesling Kabinett
Framingham Wines ‘F’ Gewürztraminer
Johanneshof Cellars Gewürztraminer
Misha’s Vineyard “Limelight” Riesling
Pegasus Bay Bel Canto Riesling
Sauvignon Blanc
Brancott Estate Letter Series B
Villa Maria Southern Clays Single Vineyard
Chardonnay
Vidal Legacy
Sweet
Framingham Wines Noble Riesling
Giesen ‘The Brothers’ Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc
Villa Maria Reserve Noble Botrytis Riesling
Pinot Noir
Martinborough Vineyard Home Block