Media Release - June 2010

Wild South Claims Silver at 2010 Decanter World Wine Awards
 
Just a short time following its release, the Wild South 2009 Pinot Noir, from the region’s lower reaches of the Waihopai Valley has won silver The 2010 Decanter World Wine Awards.

The vintage is characterised by inviting, sweet floral aromas of violets, balanced on layers of delicate cherry, omega plum and wild herbs. Complex notes of spice, oak and fruit come together to give the structure, rounded with a soft raspberry and blackberry coulis to finish.

Wild South winemaker, Christie Brown is delighted:
“What a wonderful entrance for this stunning new vintage,” As our vineyard in the Waihopai Valley gets older, the pinot vines perform better and better. This has now been reinforced by this exciting award. 

“While we were incredibly confident of the wine’s popularity, a silver from Decanter can only pave the way for even greater success.”

The 2010 Decanter Awards themselves are also celebrating this year. In total 10,983 wines were entered, more than double the amount when the competition launched seven years ago. Decanter’s rigorous juding process and superb line-up of judges has been sited for its success.

Gerard Bassett MW, the world’s only Master of Wine, Master Sommelier and Wine MBA, is an indication of the judging calibre that’s made the competition the most sought after in the world.
All wines are blind tasted, with 68.8% of wines receiving an accolade in 2010, while only 11.9% won silver and just 2.86% winning the covetted Gold or Regional Trophy.

12 March 2010

Wild South Pinot Gris Picks Up Gold

The 2009 Wild South Marlborough Pinot Gris has been awarded gold at the 57th Royal Easter Show Wine Awards 2010.
The wine was selected from 1517 entries, from which a record 102 gold medals were awarded.

Awards’ organisers have been so impressed by the quality of 2010 entries, they increased the number of top medals awarded, judges favouring the offering of white wines from the 2009 vintage.

The 2009 Wild South Marlborough Pinot Gris is the result of a broad spectrum of quality fruit from the Marlborough region, featuring heady aromas of red apple and banana passion fruit wrapped in softer notes of wild honey and ripe pear.

The wine has a fine acid structure wrapped in oily ribbons to give it perfect balance. Warm flavours enhance the palate tossing a mixture of peach and lychee with melted butter and banana esters to give a long, luscious finish.

Wild South winemaker, Christie Brown has international experience and a passion for cool climate winemaking, she aims to maximise the varietal expression and complexity of Wild South Wines.

She is thrilled with the gold medal accolade, proud the vintage shone amidst the exceptionally high standard of wines judged on the day.

“We are over the moon to win gold at these most prestigious of wine awards,” shares Christie.

“Pinot Gris is always a challenging variety. It takes a delicate balance of flavours to produce a truly stunning Pinot Gris, and we knew we’d achieved this with the 2009 Wild South Marlborough Pinot Gris.

“Like all good Pinot Gris, this vintage is truly seductive with balance and flavour in abundance. It looked like a winning wine from the outset. This welcome award and gold medal now confirms that.”

30 March 2009

A rich and enticing autumnal drop the 2008 Wild South Marlborough Chardonnay

Wild South has released its 2008 Marlborough Chardonnay, a delicious full bodied and intensely fragrant wine from Marlborough winemaker Christie Brown.

The 2008 Chardonnay is produced from grapes sourced predominantly from the estate vineyards in the Waihopai Valley, Marlborough. The favourable climatic conditions of the area, a long warm and dry growing season, ensured a big proportion of the vineyards were harvested early achieving optimum levels of ripeness and quality.

The nose is layered with inviting aromas of caramelised peaches and vanilla biscuits balanced with soft notes of nectarine and papaya. The palate reveals layers of summer fruits, blended with warm melted butter and a spicy lift to finish. The 2008 Chardonnay is well balanced and elegant, ready to drink now or cellar for two to three years. A brilliant straw colour this drop is the perfect accompaniment to serve with fresh pasta and chicken.

According to Brown the wines from the 2008 Marlborough harvest look fantastic. Fermentation went extremely well and the regional characters Marlborough is famous for are in abundance.

“This is a wonderfully balanced wine, with distinct characteristics of the Marlborough region. The 2008 vintage produced wines with excellent flavours and aromas, and this Marlborough Chardonnay is no exception. It is a hearty wine perfect for good food and friends,” says Brown.

The 2008 Wild South Marlborough Chardonnay is available at wine outlets nationwide. RRP $18.90

Media Release         Sept 2008     

2008 Wild South Sauvignon Blanc

Wild South has released its 2008 Sauvignon Blanc; an intensely fragrant wine, there is no mistaking the regionally of this wine. This smooth and supple wine is perfect to serve chilled on a summer’s day.

The 2008 Sauvignon is produced from grapes sourced predominantly from the estate vineyards in the Waihopai Valley, Marlborough. The vineyard captures the sun’s heat during the crucial ripening period, ensuring a big proportion of the vineyards were harvested early achieving optimum levels of ripeness and quality.

According to winemaker Christie Brown this vintage is a perfumed bouquet of lychee and gooseberry blended harmoniously with an aroma of fresh citrus peel. The enticing flavours of lemon and lime unfold in the glass to give a delicious lingering zing.

“This is a wonderfully balanced wine, with distinct characteristics of the Marlborough region. The 2008 vintage produced wines with excellent flavours and aromas, and this Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is no exception,” says Brown.

The 2008 Wild South Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is available at wine outlets nationwide. RRP $18.90

Media Release         July 2008     

A prime pinot to tempt the palate: 2007 Wild South Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir

Wild South has recently released its 2007 Marlborough Reserve Pinot Noir; a sweet perfumed bouquet of plum and rich cherries, with enticing flavours of strawberry and cream set to tempt the palate.

Under the watchful eye of winemaker Christie Brown the grapes for this release were sourced predominantly from the estate vineyards in the Waihopai Valley. In 2007 the region had an unusually long summer which resulted in a high quality harvest.

“Marlborough experienced a very warm and dry growing season which resulted in good ripeness and flavours. As a result harvesting was moved forward and this has resulted in optimum levels of quality to produce a wonderfully balanced wine,” says Brown.

The 2007 Pinot Noir follows on from the successful 2006 and 2005 vintage releases. It is a classic Pinot with sweet enticing aromas and a rich palate of delicately textured flavours.

“The Reserve Pinot Noir is the last release of our 2007 wines and one I have been waiting for with anticipation. This wine shows the distinct regionality of Marlborough Pinot Noir and why this varietal is achieving ongoing success, not only on the show circuit but as a firm favourite with customers too,” says Brown.

The 2007 Wild South Reserve Pinot Noir is available at wine outlets nationwide. RRP $31.90.

Media Release - 13 March 2007

Wild South Wines supports film festival namesake

Wild South Wines is throwing its support behind its film festival namesake.

The 2007 Wild South International Film Festival, held every two years in Wanaka, showcases the best documentary films from around the world.

The April festival is an opportunity for filmgoers to see the best of the best in documentaries featuring topics from nature and science, to people and places, as well as student films and wild adventures.

Wild South Wines winemaker, Christie Brown says it’s a perfect partnership, matching Wild South’s top quality Marlborough wines with top quality films.

“The festival celebrates documentary films and filmmaking in a casual and relaxed setting and what better way to do that than with Wild South wines,” says Christie.

Wild South Wines is sponsoring the opening night of the festival, which will be hosted by well known bug man, Ruud Kleinpaste.

Ruud has recently completed a series called “Buggin with Ruud”, an episode of which will be screening during the festival.

Wild South Wines are also sponsoring the Wild Adventures section of the festival, covering adventures into some of the world’s most remote and unique locations.
 

During the festival, which takes place from 21- 25 April, movie buffs will have the chance to sample Wild South’s award-winning wine while savoring some of the best documentary films from around the world.

Media Release - 19 February 2007

A major step into the English restaurant scene for Wild South Wines

Wild South Wines has taken a major step into the English restaurant scene.

The 2005 Wild South Riesling has been added to the wine list at London’s most famous New Zealand-linked restaurant, Providores.

The restaurant, located in Marylebone High Street, is co-owned by world renowned New Zealand chef Peter Gordon.

Wild South winemaker Christie Brown says Providores receives hundreds of wines to sample every year.

“I knew it would be tough to even get our riesling tasted by the team at Providores, let alone considered for the wine list,” says Christie.

So, when she was in London last year collecting a trophy at the 2006 Decanter World Wine Awards for the 2005 Wild South Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, Christie took matters into her own hands.

“I delivered a bottle of the 2005 Wild South Riesling to Providores myself, rather than simply sending a sample,” says Christie.

Her efforts paid off, with Providores deciding to make the riesling available by the glass.

“To have our riesling gracing the tables of such a respected restaurant is exciting!” says Christie.

“The fact Providores is co-owned by a New Zealand chef makes it even more special.”