Fabulous weather again greeted us in what would turn out to be a fascinating day.
Tom Maling from Kim Crawford Wines was our host.
Tom was highly entertaining as he took us on a wonderful journey around the Wairau Valley, over to the Awatere Valley, across to Grasmere lake, Blind River and finishing up for a tasting at their Drylands Wine Centre. This journey gave us a really insightful look at the influences of the different valleys on grape style and taste, a history of the local geology as well as a tour of some of the Marlborough vineyards that I doubt get many visitors.
Before our tasting we took a quick stop at the beach on Cloudy Bay and marvelled at the beautiful landscape.
Tom then took us through a great tasting incorporating some Methode Traditionelle, contrasting Sauvignon Blancs, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, an amazing Rosé and Pinot Noir.
This was a very different approach to a normal wine tasting and we got a superb in-depth insight into what really makes Marlborough tick.
Back to the hotel for a quick rest and we were out to the Marlborough Vintners Hotel for the Forrest Winemaker dinner.
We already knew they had scooped a top award…..
John, Brigid and daughter and winemaker, Beth were already waiting for us – Air New Zealand awards on show and a glass of the The Doctors Riesling 2014 – winner of the New World Open White Wine Trophy.
This was the Forrest family – out in force – on a high – and we were there enjoying it with them!
It was a terrific night. John hosted the evening and talked about the awards, the Forrest estate and went into great depth about food matching and regaled us with many a tale of his experiences in the wine world.
John receiving the award on the left – and telling us about it on the right.
Beth gave us the next generation input, having just recently returned to the family fold after five years making wine elsewhere around the world.
The food was terrific – we washed it down with a superb selection of John Forrest Collection wines with some fascinating bottle age and an air wonderful celebration pervaded the room.
This was a fabulous finish to this section of the tour and will be remembered by everyone for a long time.