Raise a glass to sauvignon blanc
A centuries-old Austrian glassware company has crafted a purpose-built wine glass to showcase the variety that put Marlborough on the map.
Riedel, a family-owned company founded in 1756, has developed the Veritas Sauvignon Blanc glass with input from winemakers around the world.
It was an extensive process that started when the company, with assistance from Wine Marlborough, looked at how its existing sauvignon glass had aged.
Last year, in an eliminationstyle tasting, leading industry figures from the region sipped and swirled from 17 glasses to see which best suited the variety.
That workshop, and others conducted in Europe, led to the development of the new glass - one wine experts say perfectly suits Marlborough sauvignon blanc.
Giesen Group global brand ambassador Roscoe Johanson said Theo Giesen, the founder of the company, helped push for the development of the glass.
‘‘There’s never been a sauvignon blanc glass created for the unique aromas of Marlborough sauvignon blanc, so it’s really exciting,’’ he said.
‘‘We see it as a really good opportunity to take the Marlborough brand around the globe.’’
Riedel Australia and New Zealand managing director Mark Baulderstone said Marlborough producers had described the existing glass as no longer perfect for their wines.
‘‘Wine styles inevitably evolve over the years, as a result of winemaking techniques, changing climate and trend,’’ he said.
Last year at the tasting in Marlborough, Baulderstone said the shape, height and airflow in a glass determined the way aromas were presented.
The new glass featured a slightly taller, more tapered bowl which developed the fruit-driven aromas in the New World-style of sauvignon blanc, Riedel claimed.
To capitalise on the creation of the new glass, Wine Marlborough had ordered 12,000 branded with the words ‘Marlborough, New Zealand’.
‘‘It’s to showcase our commitment to show off sauvignon blanc at it’s best - premium wine should go with premium glassware,’’ general manager Marcus Pickens said.
‘Something for everyone’
Domestic and international wine experts will gather in Marlborough on Wednesday for the most important conference in the New Zealand wine industry calendar.
The 33rd annual Romeo Bragato conference is being held over two days at the ASB Theatre, in Blenheim.
It comes after the release of the New Zealand Winegrowers annual report that shows the value of exports increased by 6 per cent to $1.66 billion in the year to June.
This makes wine the fifth largest export-earner for New Zealand, and puts the industry in good stead to meet its goal of $2b in exports by 2020.
New Zealand Winegrowers acting chief executive Jeffrey Clarke described the conference, which had the theme ‘Market to Vine’, as important for the industry.
‘‘There should be something for everyone, whether you’re a grower, a winemaker or someone more involved in the business side,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s our one chance to get people from all around the country together in one place, and for everyone to have their input and compare what their region is doing.’’
Clarke said the annual report showed exports into the United States, the biggest market for New Zealand wine, had increased by 12 per cent to more than $500 million.
‘‘In the US itself, New Zealand wine is the third most valuable import, behind France and Italy - it’s an amazing achievement,’’ he said.
‘‘The qualities in New Zealand wine seem to be what US consumers are looking for, so we’re in a bit of a sweet spot at the moment.’’
The winner of the Bayer Young Viticulturist of the Year and winners of the Bragato Wine Awards will be announced at the closing dinner of the conference on Thursday.