Game of Rhones 2016

Left Conatiner

Game of Rhones was held in Auckland on 2nd July, and for the first time in Wellington on 9th July. Negociants has a great selection of wines made from the grape varieties of the Rhone Valley. We are talking about Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvedre, Viognier, Marsanne etc.

For the 2016 events, we were joined by Toby Porter, Winemaker for d’Arenberg Wines (aka John Snow) from McLaren Vale who was pouring the 2012 d’Arenberg Stump Jump Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre, 2014 d’Arenberg Hermit Crab Marsanne, and 2011 d’Arenberg Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier. Also being poured was the 2012 Langmeil Three Gardens Shiraz Grenache Mourvedre, 2013 Langmeil Hangin Snakes Shiraz Viognier and 2013 Langmeil Valley Floor Shiraz. Yalumba also had a stand and were showing the 2014 Yalumba Eden Valley Viognier, 2014 Yalumba Eden Valley Roussanne, 2013 Yalumba Patchwork Shiraz and 2014 Yalumba Old Bush Vine Grenache.

Barry Riwai from Alpha Domus

Toby Porter from d'Arenberg

Alpha Domus and Dry River were also in attendance at their own stands.

Guigal was being poured in magnums at the Rhone Bar.

Kiwis are very familiar with Shiraz or Syrah, as we like to call it, and there are a few examples of Kiwi Viognier now being made, but Grenache, Marsanne and Rousanne are not well known in this country, which made for an interesting first time experience tasting these wines by some of the people attending.

This was a really fun event with nearly all of the stand holders dressing ‘Game of Thrones’ style and a good number of the guests dress up as well.

Nick from Negociants

Categories:

Events, Issue 3, Tastings