- New Zealand Wine

Press Release
26/09/11
New Zealand Triumphant in Vinous Battle of the Hemispheres
An All Blacks v France rugby match is always a stirring occasion but it's not just on the pitch the two
nations compete. New Zealand Winegrowers put a tasty twist on the 'battle of the hemispheres'
before the epic Rugby World Cup pool game last Friday in a blind tasting of 16 wines from each
country to determine the best wines for the 'First XV' line-up.
It was a tight contest with 6 of the 15 positions in the team undecided due to even scores. The
stylistic differences between the Old and New World wines resulted in split decisions from the
judges and no clear consensus on the best wine in some positions. However, 10 obvious winners
emerged with 3 French and 7 New Zealand wines scoring the highest points and selected for the
'First XV' team. Ex-All Blacks rugby legend Andrew Mehrtens announced the results and the tasting
was a real coup for New Zealand who also celebrated a victory on the pitch with the All Blacks defeat
of Les Bleus on Saturday at Eden Park.
Both nations were represented by sixteen wines which varietals and styles matched each position in
a rugby team as well as a reserve on the bench. Full bodied reds such as Syrah and Cabernet Merlot
blends represented the strong and powerful forwards of the teams, with robust Chardonnays and
muscular Pinot Noirs making up the rest of the forward packs. A trio of alternative varieties including
Pinot Gris, Riesling and Gewurztraminer were the creative heart of the teams with Champagne and
New Zealand sparkling wines as attacking number 15's and headline grabbing Sauvignon Blancs
positioned on the wings.
Teams consisted of three judges and were headed up by a well-known wine personality from each
nation. Respected New Zealand winemaker Michael Brajkovich MW (Kumeu River) selected the Kiwi
team, whilst 'Best Sommelier in the World' Gerard Basset MW MS chose the wines that would lead
the French into battle. Alongside Brajkovich, Alastair Mailing MW (Villa Maria Estates) and James
Rowan (West Brook) formed the New Zealand judging panel with Daniel Le Brun (No. 1 Family
Estate), Jean-Christophe Poizat (Maison Vauron) and Damien Yvon (Clos Henri) forming the French
panel.
France-New Zealand clashes are some of the most exciting out there and Friday's tasting did not
disappoint. Sarah Thornton, Brand & Communications Manager, New Zealand Winegrowers
comments, "as well as offering a unique event with a fun rugby theme for international media, the
results from the tasting reiterated the quality of New Zealand wines on a global level and showcased
our ability to produce a diverse range of styles".
END
Editor's notes:
THE WINES:
The New Zealand Team
Forwards
1
Vintage RRP
Villa Maria Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
2008
NZD 48.00
2
Trinity Hill Homage
2009
NZD 120.00
3
Craggy Range Sophia
2009
NZD 69.95
4
Neudorf Moutere Chardonnay
2010
NZD 56.00
5
Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay
2007
NZD 45.00
6
Bell Hill
Pinot Noir
2007
NZD 95.00
7
Felton Road Block 3 Pinot Noir
2009
NZD 100.00
8
Escarpment Kupe Pinot Noir
2008
NZD 82.00
9
Elephant Hill Central Otago Pinot Rose
2011
NZD 24.00
10
Pegasus Bay Bel Canto Dry Riesling
2009
NZD 31.95
11
Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
2011
NZD 32.00
12
Bilancia Pinot Gris
2008
NZD 28.00
13
Vinoptima Gewürztraminer
2006
NZD 89.00
14
Astrolabe Awatere Sauvignon Blanc
2010
NZD 23.99
15
Cloudy Bay Pelorus
2004
NZD 44.90
Millton Chenin Blanc Te Arai Vineyard
2009
NZD 28.00
Backs
Reserve
16
The French Team
Forwards
1
Château Pavie-Macquin
2006
AUD160.00
2
Côte-Rôtie Domaine Jamet
2007
NZD 91.95
3
Château Sociando-Mallet Haut-Medoc
2005
AUD 119.00
4
Meursault 1er Cru Charmes Domaine Roulot
2008
AUD 335.00
5
Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Perrières Domaine Louis Carillon
2007
GBP 57.81
6
Gevry-Chambertin Mes Cinq Terroirs Denis Mortet
2005
GBP 96.25
7
Rully 1er Cru Les Cloux Domaine Jacquesson
2009
NZD 33.21
8
Volnay 1er Cru Champans Domaine Marquis d'Angerville
2007
GBP 53.13
9
Bandol Domaine Tempier Rosé
2010
NZD 39.99
10
Grand Cru Hengst Domaine Josmeyer
2004
NZD 68.00
Backs
11
Sancerre Le Petit Chemarin Domaine Vincent Pinard
2009
AUD 42.00
12
Grand Cru Furstentum Albert Mann
2009
NZD 47.71
13
Schlumberger Grand Cru Kitterlé
2005
NZD 58.75
14
Pouilly- Fumé Domaine Thibault (André Dezat)
2009
GBP 14.50
15
Pol Roger Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill
1999
NZD 224.00
Gros Manseng Côtes de Gascogne Domaine des Cassagnoles
2010
GBP 7.51
Reserve
16
THE RESULTS
Winning wines: First XV Team
Villa Maria Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2008 (NZ)
Meursault 1er Cru Charmes Domaine Roulet 2008 (France)
Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay 2007 (NZ)
Felton Road Block 3 Pinot Noir 2009 (NZ)
Bell Hill Pinot Noir 2007 (NZ)
Bilancia Pinot Gris 2008 (NZ)
Gevrey-Chambertin Mes Cinq Terroirs Denis Mortet 2005 (France)
Schlumberger Grand Cru Kitterlé Gewurztraminer 2005 (France)
Cloudy Bay Pelorus 2004 (NZ)
Millton Chenin Blanc Te Arai Vineyard 2009 (NZ)
Even scores: Tied winners
New Zealand Wine
French Wine
Trinity Hill Homage 2009
Côte-Rôtie Domaine Jamet 2007
Elephant Hill Central Otago Rosé 2011
Bandol Domaine Tempier Rosé 2010
Pegasus Bay Dry Riesling – Bel Canto 2009
Grand Cru Hengst Domaine Josmeyer 2009
St Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Pouilly- Fumé Domaine Thibault 2009
Astrolabe Awatere Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Sancerre Le Petit Chemarin Domaine Vincent Pinard 2009
Château Pavie-Maquin 2006
Château Sociando-Mallet 2005
New Zealand Winegrowers is the national organisation for New Zealand’s grape and wine sector and
conducts a wide range of tasks on behalf of the industry. One of these responsibilities is taking the
lead role in the strategic marketing of New Zealand wine overseas.
For more information please contact:
Sarah Thornton, Brand, Communications & Online Manager, New Zealand Winegrowers
E: [email protected]
P: 021 453 668
www.nzwine.com