It’s not planned but in hindsight we can see that our annual rosé tasting has evolved into a bit of a battle: South of France versus New Zealand. In the initial flights the New Zealand wines are judged separately from the overseas wines. This enables our judges to change hats when tasting the European wines. To judge them against New Zealand feels unfair as we have our own style at the bottom of the world. When all the other wines have fallen away, however, and only the cream of the crop remains for the final recalls, here is where homegrown faces off against foreign. This final debate takes more time than you would imagine, judging each wine as it sits in the glass on the day without presumption. Frankly it’s a lot of work but as head judge Simon Nunns rightfully says,“Summer’s coming and we must do our best for New Zealand’s rosé enthusiasts.” I couldn’t have put it better myself.
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