Cloudy Bay Gewurztraminer

Notes - Cloudy Bay Vineyards was established in 1985 by Kevin Judd and David Hohnen of Cape Mentelle Vineyards in Western Australia, and is today part of Estates & Wines. The winery and vineyards are situated in the Wairau Valley in Marlborough at the northern end of New Zealand’s South Island. This unique and cool wine region enjoys a maritime climate with the longest hours of sunshine of any place in New Zealand. Cloudy Bay has estate vineyards located at prime sites within the Wairau Valley, and long-term supply agreements with five Wairau Valley growers. The winery takes its name from the bay at the eastern extremity of the Wairau Valley, which was named Cloudy Bay by Captain Cook on his voyage to New Zealand in 1770. Cloudy Bay Gewurztraminer is a distinctive style, first made in 1997 from a trial block planted at Cloudy Bay to assess the suitability of various clones of Gewurztraminer in Marlborough. It is produced from fruit hand harvested grapes grown at the Mustang Vineyard in the Brancott Valley. Fermented using indigenous yeast in old French oak barrels, the style is opulent and fragrant with aromas of lychees, ripe citrus fruits and rose petals. In most vintages the palate is voluptuous with exotic musky flavours and hints of dried fruits and spices. Finishing just off dry, it is a wine with great intensity, length, and natural balance. Gewurztraminer compliments Asian food nicely, as long as it is not too spicy. Better with milder Chinese food, than with spicy Southeast Asian dishes. Another good match is with strongly flavoured cheeses, blue cheese and in particular washed rind cheeses. Also good with desserts such as fruit based desserts, fruit flan and poached pear!
 
   

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