Vineyards from New Zealand

RI-Wine of Ascot also supply the wines from Oyster Bay

South Island / North Island

What does New Zealand have to offer? Some would argue that sauvignon Blanc is not even New Zealand’s greatest grape variety ( some consider Chardonnay and more recently Pinot Noir to be their most prestigious grape variety, since these wines command substantily higher prices than Sauvignon Blanc ) but this country is now the world’s greatest source odf top quality Sauvignon Blanc and it would be a mistake if its winemakers would play down this fact.

A few facts:

• Montana and Cooks started Export in 1970.
• Since the late 1980’s wineries have trebled
• Wineries include Villa Maria, Vidal, esk Valley
• 70 percent of the New Zealand wines come from the North Island
• Wine areas of the North Island: Auckland, Gisbourne, Hawke’s Bay, Waikato, Wellington,
• Wine areas of the South Island ( not cultivated until 1973 ): Canterbury, Central Otago, Marlborough, Nelson

Sauvignon Blanc

The once famous grape of the Loire has now become the king of New Zealand grapes. Tasting as many as 50 of their antipode or cousins is one of life’s joys. Just to add a drop of Semillon seems to be a like a turbo charge to a wine varietal character. You are allowed to add up to 15% of another grape variety to the wine which is perfectly legal. [Read more...]

“A new winery producing European style wines” Moldovia, a small country lying between the Ukraine and Romania and close to the Black Sea.

Moldovia is on the same latitude as Bordeaux, although the vine growing conditions are very different. Wine has been made in Moldovia for 3.000 years; until recently what was not consumed at home was exported to the Soviet Union and then the Russian Federation.

A brand new winery was built in 2001 in the south-east of the country. A range of vibrant wines have been created for the European style palate.

Grape Variety Moldovia

The Firebird range of wines is available through RI Wine and includes:

• Pinot Blanc
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Pinot Noir

The Spanish brought the wine to Mexico around 1521. Hernan Cortes ( Governor ) ordered in 1524, that all Spanish residents which received land and Indians for forced labour had to plant 1000 vines per 100 Indians for a period of 5 years. By 1595 they produced enough wine to be self- sufficient. Over the years more than half of the wineries closed down since most of the Mexicans drink beer. Today something like 60.000 hectares are under vine.

Mexican Vineyards

Domecq

Brandy production, in fact, has led a number of larger companies to invest in Mexico , including the wine and spirits giant Allied Domecq. Domecq is most known to Mexicans for brandy, but also makes several brands of wine at different price points and in a variety of styles, including blends, single varietal wines, and kosher wines. Chateau Domecq is their premium label; the wines include an unusual blend of Nebbiolo and Merlot as well as a Sauvignon Blanc-based white wine. The Spanish cava producer Freixenet has also invested in Mexican wine and is a major player in the Querétaro area, where they produce the sparkling wines you’d expect as well as some still wines. The high altitude in this winegrowing region insures surprisingly cool nights. [Read more...]

The Upper Langkloof Valley along the Garden Route is just becoming another well known wine producing area of South Africa. During the 18th century the region became a nesting please to geese.

Retief Goosen, just 40, 2nd time winner of the US Open chose this area to produce the already famous range of Goose wines winning Bronze and Silver Medals in the last 2 years.

To buy The Goose wines or for any questions please contact RI-Wine of Ascot.

• Chateau Musar Red 2002 – now ready after 7 years careful cellaring,
• 50 years as The Maker: Serge Hochar’s London masterclasses (book at RI-Wine),
• Chateau Musar White 2003 – latest release of this unique wine from ancient, ungrafted vines,
• Ronald Hochar – celebrating Musar’s ‘eminence grise’

[read more (pdf)...]

We are delighted to announce that we just have been awarded a Silver Medal each for both Goose Wines. This follows the first Bronze Medal which we received by Decanter last year for The Expression Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz 2005.

This year we got a Silver Medal each by The Decanter World Wine Award 2009 for The Expression Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz 2007 and The Goose Sauvignon Blanc 2008.

Congratulations to Morne Jonker and his Team!

Read more about The Goose wines

Peter Femfert not only the owner of famous Fattoria Nittardi vineyard but also a succesful art dealer running the Art Gallery in Frankfurt. [Read more...]