Tag: Iberia

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New Zealand and Portuguese Wines with Victor Kattenbelt, Confidant Wines

If you drilled down from New Zealand through the earth’s centre, where would you come out, Iberia? If it were not in Spain, it would level with the wine heart of Portugal.

Therefore, there must be something special that links the viticulture and the wines of our two countries.

Victor from Confidant Wines will present a mix of special boutique wines from New Zealand, some wonderful new wines from Portugal, and several repeated favourites.

This is your chance to try some new varieties and vineyards and support one Hawkes Bay vineyard (with a great sparkling Rosé) that was impacted after the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle. The evening will take a small journey from Hawkes Bay to Nelson to Waipara in North Canterbury; and then to Portugal with an array of blended wines and, to finish, a Tawny Port. Be prepared to be impressed.

We will see the influence of terroir in Waipara wines, the influence of climate on Nelson wine, what makes Hawkes Bay special, and some delicious red styles from award-winning Casa Santos Lima vineyard in Portugal. The Portuguese selection will focus on new vintages and some previous wines that were very popular and still available. Do you remember Waipara Pinot Blanc? Something new, something known, gold medals, new vintages, comparisons and varieties to experience. This array of wines has been specially selected we believe to suit the members’ preferences for this tasting.

In summary, we will kick off with a Linden (NZ) Sparkling Rosé, followed by a Portuguese Rosé and two classic NZ white wines, Riesling and a Viognier or Chardonnay. We will then compare the new award winning Portuguese Confident red and a blended Mosaico red with a NZ Pinot Noir. We will conclude with a delicious Tawny Port from the home of all great ports.

We look forward to enjoying these wines with you. Please remember your tasting glasses.

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Victor Kattenbelt and Confidant Wines – August 2020

LAST MONTH we had a great turnout of members with an evening sampling both Portuguese and New Zealand wines with Victor Kattenbelt and Confidant Wines.

Victor Kattenbelt is a local wine distributor and as the importer, these wines were uniquely from his portfolio. Casa Santos Lima is the largest in Portugal and one of the largest in Europe. As explained, there are many grape varieties in Portugal that are unique to the Iberia peninsula and as such, many wine styles are almost exclusive to Portugal. We tasted winemaking that uses the best of traditional techniques (and local oak) but is modernising rapidly. He presented 8 wines that the orders on the night suggest were well received.

Casa Santos Bruto Methode
Casa Santos Bruto Methode

The wines were:

  • The introductory wine – 2017 Casa Santos Bruto Methode that stood out as so different from the usual French Methode and even traditional Spanish [cava] bubbles we are more familiar with.
  • 2018 Galadoro Rose was dry, crisp, not overly fruit-driven, light in colour so typical of Provence & other southern Mediterranean Rose’, Cabernet blend, quaffable and food enhanced for sure.
  • 2016 VK Gewürztraminer was an exclusive NZ wine that hit the mark for many being unmistakably a prime ‘Gewurzt’ with all the characteristics and some real wine palate weight.
  • 2018 Beach House Chardonnay from a well known Hawkes Bay producer.
  • 2017 Bons Ventos lived up to its luscious red descriptor, this introductory red set the tone for the exquisite reds that followed. Wine orders indicate this was a favourite.
  • 2017 Confidential Tinto Red amazed as it is a 10-variety blend that only the Portuguese could do, significantly local varieties, soft, good palate feel, enhances food and not a tannin in sight!
  • 2017 Valcatrina was a big blended red wine, highlighting Syrah and Touriga Nacionale (the port grape) so typically Portuguese, with plenty of awards accolades yet affordable quality wine.
  • Monte da Caçada
    Monte da Caçada

    2016 Monte Da Cacada was a real treat, more expensive for sure ($36 – $40) but this wine indulged the palate, was red at its finest, 100% Alicante Bouschet, big, bold, European gold medals, a variety that most had not ever tasted before – no wonder their wines are acclaimed.

Thank you to the significant number of members who ordered wines. We are sure you will enjoy them both in the coming months and also after some cellaring as the reds are both approachable now and ‘good keepers’.

These wines, or information on his range, are available to inquire or order direct from Victor, phone 0274417409 or from Regional Wines.

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