Want to try something new, and not already a member? Come on your own, grab a friend, workmate or partner and join us for our next tasting. Take a look and see who's presenting.
This tasting was very good with a lot of members attending to find out about our “local” winery.
There was some feedback that the meeting went on a bit too long. Your committee have agreed that we should remind presenters that the meeting should finish about 9:30 pm with a 10-minute break at half time. The pourers will keep an eye on meeting flow, to keep the meeting moving while being flexible at the same time. Despite this criticism, it was an enjoyable evening, and interesting to9 hear about the development of a new wine region close to Wellington.
The wines tasted were:
Woven Stone Sauvignon Blanc 2014; Ohau Gravels Sauvignon Blanc 2012; Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2011; Woven Stone Rose 2014; Woven Stone Pinot Gris 2014; Ohau Gravels Pinot Gris 2014; Single Vineyard Pinot Gris 2011; Woven Stone Pinot Noir 2014.
Sustainable wines from Ohau (Oar-hoe – say it fast and you’ve got it) at the southern end of the North Island. Being a local from Wellington I must confess I have been past the vines which line SH1 just south of Levin but never stopped. I won’t make that mistake again.
Our presenter Chris Morgan worked for a time in Johnsonville on the local rag. His introduction into wine was purely accidental – went to a wine tasting, sampled his first Sauvignon Blanc and was hooked. Haven’t heard that one before.
Chris the Wine Consultant for Ohau Wines is a man of many tales but I’ll leave those for another day. Chris travels New Zealand touting New Zealand’s newest wine-growing region as if nobody had heard of it before now. Not for long going by the number of awards – Romeo Bragato, International NZ Wine, Air New Zealand, Berliner Wein Trophy and Spiegelau International to name a few.
The evening started with the 2014 Woven Stone Sauvignon Blanc which was exceptional. No pretenses here. Ripe apricot, lemon and thyme on the nose packed with the subtle flavour of lime with a twist of melon. Sounds more like a cocktail and not a hint of cat’s pee anywhere. At $12.99 (cellar door price) a steal. The Sauvignon then went up in levels. The Ohau had 5% old oak aged Sauvignon Blanc added before bottling which gave the wine a little more weight and a rounded mouth feel.
The 2011 Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc was even more weightier. This punched well above it’s weight and required time to open up. I kept a little back to try again after supper. What a transformation. Rich mouth feel with a finish and length most wines aspire too. I’d still come back for the 2014 Woven Stone. For me a memorable wine and similar to Marlborough’s Clayridge Sauvignon Blanc.
The Rosé and Pinot Noir would make good quaffers but I’d prefer to use them for jelly or stock. My stock recipe – combine in a large pot 1 bottle of wine, balsamic vinegar for extra tartness, sugar and beef maggie stock for added flavour depth, reduce down to a cup. Use a tablespoon or two in meat sauces or soups.
Onto the Pinot Gris. The 2014 Woven Stone has a gewürztraminer like sweetness, smooth but lacking that mid palate opulence that may well come through with a little more time. The same for the Ohau Gravels with the sweetness rounded out by the acidity. A rich mouth feel leaving you wanting just one more glass please.
Click image to view the gallery
Whoa, the 2011 Single Vineyard after spending 10 months in old oak barrels and fermented by the indigenous yeast off the grape skins really packs a punch. Very heddy on first opening, this mellows giving a rich full bouquet – freshly grated lemon zest with a slight minerality. The mouth feel full and bountiful with a hint of the sea grass. With the sea being a few km’s away I wonder this has any influence?
Thanks again Chris and Ohau Wines for an entertaining evening. We look forward to watching and tasting the progress of Ohau Wines.
Also a big thanks to Gayl who met Chris at an Ohau tasting in Khandallah a few weeks ago and arranged the Cellar Club tasting.
Ohau Wines invite you to join their Cellar Club for award-winning wines at special prices, priority advice on new vintage releases and regular cellar club newsletters and special offers.
Cheers Steve
Event details
Date: 8 April 2015
Venue: Johnsonville Community Centre Hall, 30 Moorefield Rd, Johnsonville, Wellington 6037 – Directions.
Cost: Members $12, Guests $16
Presenter: Chris Morgan, Wine Consultant
Background: From New Zealand’s newest wine region – Just north of the Kapiti Coast in New Zealand’s lower North Island pioneer winery Ohau Wines is producing award-winning wines with intense fruit flavours. Ohau’s river terrace soils are similar to some of the better sites in Marlborough with a temperate climate comparable to Nelson and Hawke’s Bay.
Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc are the two signature varieties. Wines are marketed under the Ohau Gravels and Woven Stone labels. Ohau’s wines are available in many international markets including China, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, The Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Indonesia and Australia.
