The highly respected Drinks International magazine compiles an annual list of the 50 most admired wine brands in the world, surveying more than 200 key wine industry professionals, including commercial buyers, importers, masters of wine, journalists and wine educators.
They compare behemoths to boutiques, cults to consumables, and the dizzyingly expensive to the dirt cheap from all corners of the world with ranking criteria being: ''consistent and/or improving quality'', ''it should reflect its region or country'', ''it should be well marketed and packaged'' and ''have broad appeal among wine consumers''.
For the relatively small size of our wine industry, New Zealand continues to punch above its weight, with five wineries making the list, which is a veritable ''who's who'' of world wine brands.
Villa Maria has scored a hat-trick in making the list the past three years in a row, being our only winery in the Top 10, its mix of excitement and consistency placing it fourth on the list. Stunning news locally is that Felton Road Winery has debuted in 13th spot, a result that has come as a great surprise to them. Cloudy Bay, Brancott Estate and Oyster Bay also make the list. This is an amazing accolade and mark of respect for all these wineries.
Teach an old dog new tricks
The name Greg Hay is one that will ring bells with students of Central Otago wine. Initially involved with his brother Rob at Chard Farm before leaving to start Peregrine, Greg has now moved on to new pastures with Wet Jacket.
I recently tasted their punchy and zesty sauvignon blanc, elegant pinot gris, bright and appealing riesling, and powerful and youthful pinot noir, which edged the others as my favourite. Another exciting addition to our ever-changing Central Otago wine landscape.
Price: $28-30
Rating: Excellent
Citrus notes, honey and botrytis with a lovely purity to this. Lemon/lemon curd lead the palate with ripe apricot and savoury notes. There is an intensely sweet core to this powerful, richly, textural wine yet a lovely charge of acidity gives this remarkable freshness right through to the long, delightful finish.
Indulgence in a glass.
Price: $30
Rating: Very good to excellent
Tropical fruit salad and canned pineapple lead the nose, something a little wild and funky in the background. Lush mouthfeel, yet not pronounced sweetness with savoury elements and lemony citrus providing a foil to the sweeter pineapple notes.
Butterscotch and botrytis add interest to the attractive, slightly wild finish.
Price: $35
Rating: Excellent
Honey and beeswax, flowers and hints of funky botrytis. Decadent, viscous and lush, an intense sweet core that is super rich with a crème brulee/toffee apple burnt sugar note late on the finish.
The sweetness is intense but held in check by a savoury/umami element to the long and delicious close.
