Vintage 2024: Marlborough
"I'm just kind of pinching myself that the weather is so good," says Pernod Ricard's New Zealand Group Winemaker Jamie Marfell, as he approaches what will likely be his first Easter off in 34 years.
Included in the line up are some spectacular guest speakers. Over the next few issues we get the thoughts from some of them.
Mike Bennie
When Mike Bennie isn’t wandering vineyards on the four corners of the globe, he is a freelance wine and drinks writer, journalist and presenter.
A lot of his work appears in the highly regarded publication Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine, he is wine/drinks editor for delicious. magazine, and he is Editor-At-Large and contributor/writer to Australia’s most interactive wine commentary website, WineFront.com.au.
His work is also regularly found in Sun-Herald Style Magazine, Sydney Morning Herald Good Food section, Men’s Style magazine, Wine Business Magazine and various other publications.
He is proudly a co-founder and co-director of the artisan and sustainability-focused Rootstock Sydney food and wine festival.
Where in the line up of Noble wines does Sauvignon Blanc sit?
I don’t believe in a ‘Noble wines’ concept, preferring to take wine on merit and context from region to region, site to site. Sauvignon Blanc is a well-versed, broadly planted variety that has captured a zeitgeist in some countries, and is produced traditionally in others. It is versatile, interesting and malleable.
What role has New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc played in the popularity of this variety internationally?
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc has played a very large role in bringing people into wine in general. It’s often a gateway wine for new wine drinkers and certainly anchoring a few people into the joys of wine with all its vagaries.
Accessibility, iconic aromas and flavours, and general approach to winemaking have made Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand an internationally recognizable and easily appreciated wine.
What are your thoughts about the upcoming Sauvignon Blanc 2016 Celebration?
The Sauvignon Blanc Celebration is an important event to progress the nuances, personality and future personality of the grape variety. It’s an opportunity to cross-pollinate and bring greater scope to the variety. It’s a chance to showcase the breadth of potential of the variety.
What are you hoping to take away with you from this event?
I’m hoping to learn more about the sustainable growing of Sauvignon Blanc and efforts to create a better wine culture around farming and producing of wines that can often slide into the pitfalls of mass market production. I am hoping to learn from generational growers, farmers and producers of Sauvignon Blanc, to bring greater context to where Sauvignon Blanc is now, in more youthful production areas. I’m hoping to see a great representation of personality of the grape variety through the lens of sites and innovative, interesting and transparent winemaking.
How important is it for the variety to be the subject of such a celebration?
Ironically, it’s not that important considering its already broad reach and impact on multiple markets. What is important is enhancing the variety’s potential, overcoming some demonizing and spreading the word about the variety’s more varied and expressive personalities.
What are you most looking forward to, as a guest?
A collaborative approach to discussion, communal learning and some take homes that elevate the variety from it’s more neutral personality to exciting, creative, thoughtful expressions.
