Summer of Riesling 2012 – For Immediate Release
New Zealand’s second Summer of Riesling 2012 began on Saturday December 1st and runs until 28th February 2013.
It is a worldwide movement which encourages the consumption, discussion and enjoyment of Riesling, and began in 2008 when Paul Grieco from the Terroir Wine Bar in New York decided that only Riesling would be offered by the glass as the white wine pour.
Participating wineries, bars, retailers and restaurants receive ‘Riesling love packs’ which include tshirts, tattoos and stencils and are encouraged to spread the ‘gospel’ of Riesling in the most creative ways possible. There are whispers of tastings in interesting places, amazing by the glass wine lists and even an online
“It’s about having fun, and enjoying great wine” says Angela Clifford from Tongue in Groove Wines in the Waipara Valley, North Canterbury. “There is a dedicated group of Riesling lovers in the wine and hospitality industries. We tend to be a little less mainstream. We’re interested in having a different conversation with consumers about wine, asking them to appreciate all styles of Riesling. Without a doubt it’s the most versatile grape we work with, one of the most exciting and has an extraordinary ability to work with food. It’s not hard to want to create a revolution!”
Angela brings Summer of Riesling to New Zealand with Duncan Forsyth from Mount Edward Wines in Central Otago. “After a momentary lapse of Riesling we decided that since summer wasn’t coming to us we would bring a little sweet sunshine into our lives. Once again we are indulging in the good taste sensations that only Riesling can bring. We’re asking people to cast aside those old blue habits and taste some summer vibes with the world’s greatest white wine variety” says Duncan.
As the summer progresses more trade and events will be announced, but one of the most significant is the Nelson International Aromatics Symposium which will be held from 1st to the 2nd February. The symposium gives delegates the opportunity to taste and debate top Rieslings from New Zealand and Austria, with a great line up of international speakers. It includes a tasting of the very best Austrian and New Zealand Rieslings as well as a review of the last decade of Nelson Rieslings. “Wine can be both serious and fun” suggests organiser Gisela Purcell from Nelson Wineart. A picnic dinner accompanied by the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra concert will round off the day in style mixing artistry, harmony and comedy.
Wineries participating in this year’s Summer of Riesling are:
Alan McCorkindale, Amisfield Wine Company, Auburn Wines, Black Estate Limited, Ceres Wines, Craggy Range, Domain Road Vineyard, Escarpment, Esk Valley, Forrest Wines, Framingham Wines, Fromm Winery, Greystone, Huia, Hunter’s Wines (NZ) Ltd, Main Divide, Matua Valley Wines, Maude Wines, Mount Edward, Mt Difficulty Wines, Mud House, Muddy Water, Nelson Wineart, Neudorf Vineyards, Nga Waka, Northburn Wine Co Ltd,Pegasus Bay, Peregrine, Prophets Rock, Pyramid Valley, Rippon, Rock Ferry, Rockburn, Seresin Estate, Spy Valley Wines, Te Whare Ra Wines, The Doctors, Thornbury, Tohu Wines, Tongue in Groove, Tresillian Wines, Two Sisters Vineyard, Valli Vineyards, Vidal, Villa Maria Estate, Waipara Hills, Waipara West, Woollaston Estates Limited and Zephyr.
Trade (so far) participating in this year’s Summer of Riesling:
Glengarry Wines, Prego, Herne Bay local, Logan Brown, Monsoon Poon, The Larder, Vknow, Fishbone, Eichardts, Ancestral, Arbitrageur, Floriditas, Golden Dawn, Depot, The Wine Loft, Vivo, Sweet Mothers, St Johns, Winetastes Queenstown, Regional Wines, Duke Carvells, Sasso, Wineseeker, The Rees Hotel, Lake Hawea Hotel, Martinborough Wine Centre, Nor Wester Café, Advintage Wines and Jonny Schwass.
For more information please contact:
Angela Clifford
Phone: Ph: 0274 242 871
Email: angela@summerofriesling.co.nz
Website: http://www.summerofriesling.co.nz
Twitter: @RieslingNZ
Facebook: NZ Summer of Riesling