dimanche 8 janvier 2012

Kiwi bubbles...

Actually frenchy kiwi bubbles...


Today, we propose you to make a long travel far away from France, in order to discover the wines of the week. It is in New-Zealand, where some of the finest wines in the world are produced today, that we have decided to get focus on. But remember! It is still all about sparkling wine…

In New-Zealand, sparkling wines are mainly produced in the Marlborough wine-growing region. This region is world widely famous for its Sauvignon Blanc wines, but this place is also great for Pinot Noir and fresh Chardonnay. Located on the east coast of the South Island, with mountains to the west, Marlborough is one of New Zealand’s sunniest and driest areas. In these bright, but relatively ‘cool’ climate conditions, the grapes have the advantage of a long slow, flavour-intensifying ripening period. The average daily temperature during summer is nearly 24 degrees °C, but clear cool nights keep acid levels high in the grapes.

Marked diurnal (day/night) temperature variations are a key factor behind the ability of Marlborough grapes to retain both fresh, vibrant fruit and crisp, herbaceous characters. The contrast between day and night also helps to enhance the colour development in the skins of Pinot Noir.

In July 1997, French Champagne maker Daniel Lebrun, with his wife Adele decided to set up his vineyard in the Marlborough area, under the name of N°1 Family Estate. They released their first wine, N°1 Cuvée in 1999. Today, their two children, Virginie and Remy get invest in the estate activity and contribute to the success of the N°1 Family Estate Wines.




Daniel Le Brun may be considered as the New-Zealand’s Methode Traditionelle specialist. The Methode Traditionnelle is the method used to produce Champagne. Dedicated to produce limited edition wines using top quality grapes with equipment especially imported from Champagne, N°1 Family Estate has been awarded numerous times by local and international awards.

The estate produces 6 cuvées:

N°1 Cuvée
This release from the family's winery is 100% chardonnay (Blanc de blancs). A perfect balance between fruit and yeast, the wine was held on lees for two years allowing full autolysis displaying a tiny consistent bead, and firm mousse resulting in a typical, complex, champagne-like character. The palate is intensely flavoured and focused with the good fruit-yeast balance providing elegance and style.



N°1 Rosé
This exceptional rose is made from 100% Pinot Noir. Delicate salmon-pink with a mass of tiny bubbles, the wine offers a seamless balance of subtle cherry and almond hints combined with a dry acidity. Dry, yet fresh and elegant, this wine leaves a lasting impression of opulence and splendour.

N°8 Cuvée

An easy-drinking aperitif style, this wine was blended from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. It is fresh and inviting with sophisticated champagne-like characters, intense flavours, and a long finish.

Representing good luck, achievement, abundance and success in Chinese numerology, Number Eight becomes a complimentary stablemate to our trophy-winning No 1. The colours red, gold and black according to feng shui have all the same symbolic references as the number eight.





N°10 Reserve
This Limited Edition wine is a blend of Chardonnay (65%), Pinot Meunier (20%) and Pinot Noir (15%). A non-vintage, it has spent 4 years on lees, allowing full yeast autolysis to create a generous, rich, creamy and full-bodied wine.

Reserve Cuvee celebrates the first decade of No 1 Family Estate, the multi-award-winning wine venture set up by pioneering champagne-maker, Daniel Le Brun, his wife Adele and their children Virginie and Remy.

Cuvée Virginie
 
Champagne maker, Daniel Le Brun produces a vintage blend in only those years he considers to be outstanding in quality. Cuvée Virginie is blended from 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay, the third in this style from No 1 Family Estate (established 1997). Crafted especially by Daniel as a proud tribute to his daughter Virginie. Four years on lees has produced a Methode Champenoise displaying many dimensions, it is well-rounded and has good yeast autolysis, a hallmark of this winemaker’s well-known style.

Very pale gold with delicate rose petal bubbles. A tightly focused bouquet; sweet scents of vanilla cream, white flower, nougat and fragrant lemon blossom. The Virginie 2006 delivers further delights on the palate with hints of hazelnut meringue and bright citrus. The rich full palate is made deceptively delicate by a dense satin like mousse. Intriguing and fulfilling, the very pure line and cleansing acidity promises even more for anyone patient enough to wait.




Cuvée Remy
Winemaker and proprietor Daniel Le Brun has created the ultimate cuvée in honour of his son, Remy Le Brun, and this wine was officially released in January 2010, his 21st birthday. The wine is a blend of 80% Pinot Noir, giving structure and power and 20% Chardonnay which contributes richness and finesse.



Shooting Star
New to the market in 2010 this 100% Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Methode Traditionelle was hand crafted by winemaker Eveline Fraser using traditional bottle fermentation techniques. Following time on lees in the bottle, the wine was riddled and disgorged producing a wine with a fine bead and a delicate but persistent mousse.


The Shooting Star is a Methode Traditionelle made from 100% Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc grapes. An array of mouth watering summer flavours introduces this exciting new wine: guava, fresh lime zest and lifted notes such as sushi ginger invite you to sip and savour. Passion fruit combines with floral characters while the effervescent tangy palate refreshes like a ripe lime sorbet on a hot day.
 

So, if you are lost one day in Marlborough, just ask your GPS to take you to Rapaura Road. There, you will enjoy great wines, and have great time...



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