Looking back on 2016

As ever, I find this a time to reflect on what the year has offered. We had a great day for the BBQ in January. Always a pleasant afternoon for those attending. February saw a tasting with Roberta Montero presenting for the Artisan Winegrowers of Central Otago. An interesting and somewhat different approach to winemaking from this group. March was a very successful tasting of Argentinian wines presented by Josefina Telleria from South2South. In April we had Edward Donaldson presenting for Pegasus Bay. The AGM in May passed quickly and members enjoyed some wines from the Club’s cellar before we moved on to June where Foxes Island and  held centre stage. This was a very professional presentation.

Things really got rolling in July with the mid-year dinner at Logan Brown. Some issues around service but otherwise an excellent evening. August was time for Keith Tibble to present an Australian evening, mainly Elderton from the Barossa Valley but included offerings from McLaren Vale and Clare Valley. September was with Gavin Yortt and Squawking Magpie from Hawkes Bay. October was a highlight with Jane Hunter presenting from Marlborough. It was great to get an icon of the NZ wine industry for this event. November completed a somewhat international year with Cangrande doing Italian wines for our festive tasting. Dinner at Muse this month completes our year.

Your committee have been very pleased with the programme and hope everyone found something to enjoy. Have a great Christmas and then we will look to developing 2017 events to match those of the past year.

Cheers
Robin Semmens, Editor

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Foxes Island – Awatere Valley – June 2016

John Belsham was a very interesting speaker and presented a great tasting. The wines were excellent, especially the aged Sauvignon Blanc La Lapine. Although low numbers attended (27 members, 1 guest) John enjoyed the event and was very pleased with the level of wine orders arising. A top tasting for the Club. To repeat the wines offered were;

2014 FOX Sauvignon Blanc
2011 Foxes Island Dry Riesling
2014 Foxes Island Sur Lie Aged Sauvignon Blanc (new release)
2012 Foxes Island Icon La Lapine white
2011 Foxes Island Chardonnay
2014 FOX Pinot Noir
2009 Foxes Island Pinot Noir

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Looking Forward – June 2016 – Foxes Island

John Belsham founded Foxes Island in 1992 to focus on exquisitely made, regionally expressive wines; exactly what he had learned to do in France. He initially made the wines for Foxes Island from his Raupara vineyard on the Wairau Plains and produced the very first Foxes Island wine; Chardonnay, vintage 1992.

In search of a Pinot Noir site, Belsham identified the overgrown and neglected 20-hectare Awatere property in 1998 and envisaged the Belsham Awatere Estate. With seven distinct terraces and exceptional soil profiles the land was planted primarily to Pinot Noir.

There were also select blocks dedicated to Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling, 24 Years on Belsham’s passion for producing exceptional wines has yet to wane.

Limited in production and genuinely hand crafted, all the wines hold pride of place at the Fox House.

Not sure of the wines to be presented yet but rest assured, this will be another quality tasting.

2016-04-27-57212d4ea3ea6

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