The fifth edition of the increasingly popular New Zealand Wine Festival coming up June 3 at the Park Hyatt is just like Busan itself: dynamic. Once again, the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Korea is hosting one of the year’s best parties to foster cultural exchange and celebrate the wonderful wines from Aotearoa, the “land of the long white cloud.”
Attendees can expect to taste some of the best Kiwi wines from historic, world-renown vineyards like Babich and Kim Crawford, a delicious tapas buffet crafted by some top chefs, talented local DJs spinning fun Kiwi hits, and a raffle to support local charities with a grand prize of two round-trip tickets aboart Singapore Airlines to New Zealand.
Since the past three Kiwi wine festivals in Busan have been filled to capacity, it is best to purchase tickets in advance.
However, there’s some exciting differences to this year’s event. For starters, many special family-owned, smaller, boutique wineries will be participating for the first time. This is a real opportunity to get a sense of innovation and discovery, and keep current in what’s happening in this distinguished corner of the wine world.
Since the 2015 free trade agreement was enacted between NZ and the ROK, New Zealand’s wine exports to our shores have increased by 31%. Therefore, this event is a chance for the wine cognoscenti or the wine curious to get ahead of the curve in ways that will tantalize your taste buds.
Also, since tariffs on Kiwi exports have been reduced by 15%, this year the expert chefs preparing the feast will be featuring more Kiwi products with Kiwi style.
Sunny Myung, Project Manager and Board Director of the Chamber, said this year will have a Kiwi barbecue theme.
“Koreans see wine as a luxury,” said Myung. “But in New Zealand, people drink wine like beer, like at the park, or drinking wine at a barbecue talking to friends. So here in Busan, people can enjoy the beautiful setting of the Park Hyatt and premium wine, but with a casual, friendly vibe. A New Zealand experience with a fun, relaxing atmosphere.”
As Kiwi Chamber members and those coming from further afield have told me, they love coming to this festival because Busanites sure know how to have fun!
In addition, while the raffle’s generous grand prize is the same, this year beautifully appointed themed baskets will be awarded featuring food, wine, cosmetics, and other great goodies. Also for the first time, attendees will be welcomed by a special Maori traditional performance, a Kapa Haka.
Since the past three Kiwi wine festivals in Busan have been filled to capacity, it is best to purchase tickets in advance. And with its blend of classic elegance and chicly modern tastes, the 2017 New Zealand Wine Festival is sure to please diverse palates and be another memorable affair. See you there. Salud!
A Six Pack of Wineries to Look for at this Year’s Wine Fest
Hunter’s Wines
There’s nothing better to kick off a special event than with some terrific méthode champenoise bubbly. Hunter’s “Jane Hunter” Miru Miru (Miru Miru meaning bubbles in the Maori language) is a great way to get the party started. Hunter’s portfolio is studded with honors under the direction of Jane Hunter, a legend described by the Sunday Times as “New Zealand’s First Lady of Wine” who was awarded the Companion to the New Zealand Order of Merit. In addition to sparkling wine, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, and pinot noir, their highly touted aromatic whites such as Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris are real standouts.
Jules Taylor Wines
Jules Taylor produces small quantities of high quality, handcrafted wines from selected vineyard sites in the Marlborough region. She is the winemaker and visionary who founded the winery after years working vintages in Piedmont, Sicily, and Australia before coming back to her native homeland of Marlborough. Last year, her pinot noir was awarded 93 points and Top 100 wines of 2016 by the Wine Spectator, one of the most important wine publications in the world. Even better, though, in my opinion: her sauvignon blanc. A little fuller style than most, beautifully balanced with a lovely nose of passionfruit and jasmine and flavors of Meyer lemon, lime, herbs, and minerals. Pure class.
The Better Half Wines
The Better Half is a tongue in cheek moniker to attach to George Elworthy’s new project since he is the husband of Jules Taylor. Tasting their wines side by side is a great way to see how this distinguished couple takes the same grapes from the same region and put their mark on their wines reflecting their personalities and tastes. Speaking of better halfs, mine enthused about The Better Half’s pinot noir, exclaiming “This smells like summer!” This wine’s nose is evocative of smoky, meaty aromas from a backyard barbecue or grilling while camping. Also, the taste of dark cherry and black pepper is accented with dried green herbs for interest. Smell and taste the difference.
Rapaura Springs Wines
While Rapaura Springs is based in Marlborough, they source some of New Zealand’s best grapes from both the North and South Islands to craft their premium wines. That means one can experience ideal sauvignon blanc, Pinot Gris, and Pinot noir from Marlborough, rich and refined Chardonnay from Gisborne, and silky merlot from Hawke’s Bay. Master of Wine Bob Campbell claims Rapaura Springs, “Practically defines Marlborough sauvignon blanc” and consistently awards it with outstanding scores. Other awards include World’s Best Sauvignon Blanc and New Zealand Winery of the Year at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in London in 2015. After four years of tasting their wines at the Kiwi Wine Fest in Busan, it’s easy to see why Rapaura Springs’ trophy case is filling up.
Wooing Tree Vineyard
Almost at the bottom of the South Island, situated in New Zealand’s coolest wine region in Central Otago, is where you will find the landmark Wooing Tree Vineyard. Two wines that are not to be missed are its one of a kind “Blondie” and its pinot noir. The “Blondie” is an alluring blanc de noir (white wine from dark grapes) still wine. Its color is perplexing, beginning like white gold to a faint copper/salmon. The nose packs a punch with notes of fruit salad and hay. On the tongue, watermelon, strawberry, cream, and minerals of limestone and shale linger for a striking finish. As to the latter, the pinot noir is broodingly complex in a pleasant way and prompts contemplation. These are some of the most interesting wines coming out of NZ these days.
Palliser Estate
Across the Cook Strait from Marlborough, in the southeastern corner of the North Island, is where wine lovers have been coming from all over to imbibe some of New Zealand’s most iconic wines, such as Palliser Estate in Martinborough. It produces ultra-premium wines of quality, consistency, and value. Since Martinborough is highly regarded as a place more similar to Burgundy with its climate and soil than other Kiwi wine regions, its chardonnay and pinot noir have been the main draw for oenophiles for decades. Nowadays in Martinborough, though, stylish pinot gris and elegant syrah are becoming quite popular. Also, more good news these days: Palliser Estate’s wines are available at the Jungdong E-Mart and Shinsegae in Busan.
Get your tickets while you can, here. You can also contact [email protected] or visit www.kiwichamber.com.
