Events 2015 Summary

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A full and successful Negociants NZ events calendar featured an excellent range of wines and beverages in 2015.

Champagne Bollinger ‘SPECTRE’ Private Screening – 9 November

The New Zealand Premiere of the new James Bond ‘SPECTRE’ movie was hosted by Variety and held at Hoyts Sylvia Park on Wednesday 4th November. VIP guests enjoyed Champagne Bollinger Special Cuvee NV prior to being seated for the movie.

See more photos from the event here.

Negociants New Zealand with Champagne Bollinger and Aston Martin also hosted their own private screening of the new James Bond ‘SPECTRE’ movie at Hoyts Sylvia Park on Monday 9th November. Our trade guests were welcomed with Champagne Bollinger Special Cuvee NV on arrival and Clive Weston spoke of the long association of Champagne Bollinger with the James Bond movies. Bollinger first featured in “Live and Let Die” in 1973. In 1978, Albert R “Cubby” Broccoli, the James Bond film producer met Christian Bizot, General Manager of Champagne Bollinger at the time, thereby uncorking an everlasting friendship between the two families. Bond and Bollinger have proven to be a logical and natural pairing: two legends who share a number of core values, such as excellence, elegance and character. Ever since, Champagne Bollinger has been the Champagne of James Bond, a key element in his effervescent seduction of the fairer sex and a symbol of his oh-so British style. To celebrate the release of ‘SPECTRE’ the 24th James Bond adventure, Champagne Bollinger is launching a new, limited edition bottle, inspired by the style and sophistication of the world of Bond.

Read more about the Champagne Bollinger Limited Edition SPECTRE Bottle here.

Taste of Auckland – 5-8 November 2015

Taste of Auckland was held at Western Springs in Auckland. The weather was absolutely perfect for the four day event; hot and sunny, hopefully a glimpse of the long Summer ahead. Negociants had a stand representing four different wine regions of New Zealand. Black Barn from the Hawkes Bay www.blackbarn.co.nz, Nautilus Estate from Marlborough www.nautilusestate.com, Urlar from Gladstone www.urlar.co.nz, and Waipara Springs from Waipara, North Canterbury www.waiparasprings.co.nz. With the beautiful sunny weather, the Black Barn Rose was the top seller, along with the Nautilus Vintage Rose or pink bubbles that was also very popular. Depot Eatery had the stand directly across from Negociants and staff from both stands conducted numerous taste tests on which wines were the best match for the oysters and tuatuas that Depot were offering.
www.tasteofauckland.co.nz.

Jairo Tilve from Bodegas Valdemar, Spain – September 2015

Trade in Auckland and Wellington were treated to Conde de Valdemar wines with matching tapas. Conde de Valdemar first appeared in the 1980s with a new, original and revolutionary style in Rioja wines at that time and for the last 30 years, has continued to be a trendsetting brand, launching innovative wines.

Dry River Masterclass Tastings – September 2015

Trade Masterclasses were hosted by Wilco Lam, Winemaker for Dry River in Auckland and Wellington. Participants were able to try four vintages of each of the Pinot Gris, Riesling and Pinot Noir wines from Dry River with each flight matched to small plates of food.

Auckland Restaurant Month – August 2015

Negociants NZ is a sponsor of Auckland Restaurant Month which is held throughout August. This promotion included a full month of activities with special menus in participating restaurants in the Auckland CBD, special celebrity chef dinners and consumer events, including Wine Auckland and Street Eats.

Jane Ferrari from Yalumba – August 2015

Winemaker and Communicator for Yalumba, Jane Ferrari travelled the length of New Zealand in August, starting at the bottom in Invercargill for trade and consumer events. She then stopped off for a day in Christchurch and finished the week in Auckland, culminating in her presentation of the 2009 Yalumba Signature magnums and speech at Graham Henry’s rugby book launch luncheon.

Wellington on a Plate – August 2015

Over 100 events, celebrating all things food and beverage in Wellington. Negociants NZ was there throughout with our wonderful selection of products.

www.wellingtononaplate.com/blog

Game of Rhones – July 2015

Held for the first time in Auckland, this event was a celebration of the classic grape varieties of the Rhone Valley in France. Fromm Wines from Marlborough and Yalumba Wines from the Barossa both participated.

Negociants NZ 30th Anniversary – July 2015

Read about our birthday celebrations here.

Lewisham Awards – June 2015

Negociants NZ is proud to sponsor the “Outstanding Wine Service Professional” award which was this year won by Meg Abbott-Walker of Masu.

Read more about the Lewisham Awards here.

2013 Alpha Domus Tasting and Lunch – June 2015

Held in Auckland and Wellington, the tasting featured the release of the 2013 Alpha Domus The Aviator and 2013 Alpha Domus The Navigator, as well as introducing Barry Riwai, as the new Winemaker for Alpha Domus.

30 Years of The Armagh Tasting – June 2015

Hosted by Peter Barry, a retrospective tasting of ten vintages of the iconic Jim Barry The Armagh from 1989 to 2010.

Tales from Jim Barry Wines

Kiwi and Aussie Winemakers Tour – June 2015

Read Raymond Chan's experience at the event here.

Ralph Hochar from Chateau Musar, Lebanon – June 2015

Ralph Hochar held trade tastings in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch of the distinctive Chateau Musar wines. The winery was founded in 1930 and today it is run by third generation members of the Hochar family.

Read more on Joelle Thomson's blog here.

Fromm Trade Tastings – May 2015

Hosted by Adam Balasoglou, Marketing Manager for Fromm featuring the new release 2013 Single Vineyard wines.

Greywacke Trade Tasting – May and September 2015

Kevin Judd and Richard Ellis from Greywacke presented to the trade the current range of Greywacke wines with a few older vintages to tease the taste buds. They covered Christchurch and Dunedin in May and followed up with Auckland and Wellington in September.

Palliser Trade Day and Lunch – May and July 2015

The Wellington trade were treated to a day at Palliser winery in May and the Auckland trade enjoyed a trade tasting and lunch at Soul Bar in July. Richard Riddiford, Managing Director retired after 25 years and Pip Goodwin has taken up the position as Chief Executive from September.

See more about Palliser Estate here.

Billy Apple Cider Launches – April 2015

Read about Billy Apple Cider and our other new products here.

Riedel Masterclass with Georg Riedel – March 2015

A fascinating comparison tasting of different beverages in Riedel glassware.

Trade Trip to South Australia – March

A very lucky group of trade customers hosted by Jane Jackson and Andrew Parkinson of Negociants NZ visited Yalumba, Pewsey Vale, Heggies, Oxford Landing, Langmeil, Rockford, John Duval and Henschke wines.

Champagne Bollinger Trade Tennis Tournaments – February 2015

The National Championship was held in Wellington and won by Tex Walls and Al Hunt of Morrell & Co. (Christchurch regional winners). Runners up were Jason and Paul Schwarz of Waiheke Wine Centre (Auckland regional winners) with Pak N Save Kilbirnie winning the Christchurch regional cup.

Urlar Trade Lunch – February 2015

Held in Auckland, Christchurch and at the winery to launch the new Select Parcel range; Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.

Etienne Hugel of Hugel Wines, Alsace, France – February 2015

Press and Trade were treated to an amazing tasting of the wines of Hugel & Fils, founded in 1639 in picturesque Riquewihr, Alsace, France. The winery is still family owned and managed by the twelfth consecutive generation of the family.

Categories:

Awards, Events, Issue 1, Launch, Tastings, Trade Tennis