Kiwiwineries.com - Discovering the Joys of New Zealand Wine

Newsletter for February, 2004

February is the month for Valentine's Day. (More of a celebration than President's Day plus you have mail service.) Valentine's Day is all about falling in love, couples, and the color Red. So for the inaugural KiwiWineries newsletter, we are featuring a couple of New Zealand reds to fall in love with. We will also list some of the best of the 2003 Sauvignon Blancs to keep in mind while shopping. Plus, a little extra.

Pegasus Bay 2000 Pinot Noir

Pegasus Bay, from Waipara on the South Island, has nailed it with this effort. It is full of flavor but not quite as dense as the Ata Rangi. It shows terrific winemaking technique with a musky Burgundian quality.

Currently available at Cleveland Park Wine & Spirits.

Ata Rangi 2000 Pinot Noir

Ata Rangi is from Martinborough on the North Island; a small town that produces outstanding Pinot Noir. The 2000 vintage produced an enormous wine for Ati Rangi. It may be tough to find at this point but the 2001 should be arriving soon. The 2001 is rated identical to the 2000.

Ata Rangi is carried by Rip's in Bowie, MD.

2003 Sauvignon Blanc
2003 was a difficult vintage in New Zealand starting with widespread frosts during the budding season. As usual though, there are some vintners that are able to rise to the challenge. Here are ten that fared the best in competitions and ratings:
  • Cairnbrae "The Stones"
  • Coopers Creek
  • Framingham
  • Kim Crawford - Marlborough
  • Palliser Estate
  • Saint Clair Reserve
  • Shepherd's Ridge
  • Villa Maria -Clifford Bay Reserve
  • Waipara Hills
  • Whitehaven
Editor's Pick: I'll be shopping for the Cairnbrae when it arrives and Kim Crawford in the meantime. Schneider's of Capitol Hill and MacArthur Beverages usually carry these wines.

And just in case you can't stop humming "My Funny Valentine"........................>

Any comments, please e-mail me.