This article is from 2020. The 2021 article can be found here.
"New Zealand Nouveau", made from grapes just harvested that year, is arriving in Japan one after another from New Zealand in the Southern Hemisphere. This year, wineries have started selling Nouveau since July.
"Nouveau" means "new" in French. In the world of wine, it refers to "new wine made from grapes harvested that year."
In other words, "New Zealand Nouveau" is a fresh New Zealand wine made from grapes harvested just this year.
In major wine producing countries in the Northern Hemisphere, such as Europe and the United States, the grape harvest season is often between August and October, but in New Zealand the season is the opposite, with peak harvest times being between February and April, making New Zealand one of the countries in the world where the year's wine is shipped out at the earliest time.
New Zealand Nouveau is packed with the unique charm of New Zealand wine.
First of all, Sauvignon Blanc, which accounts for more than 70% of New Zealand wine, is characterized by its bursting fruitiness of passion fruit and tropical fruits, and its refreshing, sharp acidity. It is said that Sauvignon Blanc is a variety that shows its individuality when it is fresh, not long after bottling. Nouveau is just freshly made. You can enjoy its attractive aroma and flavor to the fullest.
They also make new wine from Pinot Noir, a major red wine variety. This red wine has a very familiar red berry aroma and is perfect to drink slightly chilled.
Both of these wines are best enjoyed outdoors, on an open terrace, or in the sun. Their importation to Japan in summer makes them a perfect match for the season .
The 2020 vintage (the year the grapes were harvested) was a difficult year for producers due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it appears that the weather and other factors that affect the grapes were ideal, making it a year in which great expectations can be expected.
In this article, we will bring you the latest information on Nouveau from two wineries , Sileni and Villa Maria, which are renowned for producing affordable, high-quality New Zealand wines!
Definition of "New Zealand Nouveau"
When you hear the word "Nouveau," the first thing that comes to mind for many people is "Beaujolais Nouveau" from France (the Beaujolais region). (*It is also called "Beaujolais" and sometimes written in katakana as "Beaujolais.") It is also known for being sold simultaneously around the world at midnight on the third Thursday of November every year. In addition to the sales release date, there are detailed rules set for the wine sold as Beaujolais Nouveau, including the grape varieties used and the production method.
On the other hand, there are no clear national rules or definitions for wines called "New Zealand Nouveau." Each winery uses the name "Nouveau" to clearly indicate to consumers that the wine is new (made from grapes that have just been harvested).
There are no specific rules regarding the lifting date in NZ.
Therefore, it is best to think of the name "New Zealand Nouveau" as merely a catchphrase.
Sileni Nouveau will be on sale from July 1st!
Source: Enoteca Online Shop
Sileni, which boasts the highest import volume of New Zealand wines imported to Japan, began selling Nouveau on July 1st. Sileni's senior winemaker, Kane Coghill, had this to say about the quality of the grapes in the Hawke's Bay region in 2020:
The warmer and drier weather than normal throughout the year allowed for ideal grape ripening, and the perfect conditions for the harvest resulted in fresh, lively and aromatic wines for both red and white.
(Source: Enoteca Online Shop)
He commented,
Sileni sells two types of Nouveau: Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. They also sell gift boxes containing two bottles, perfect for gifts.
As mentioned above, there is no particular rule for the production method of "New Zealand Nouveau". However, in the case of Sileni, the wine is made using a special method for Nouveau. Therefore, the difference between regular vintage wine and Nouveau should be more clearly felt.
Sileni Nouveau Sauvignon Blanc
| Wineries | Sileni Estates |
|---|---|
| region | Hawke's Bay |
| variety | Sauvignon Blanc |
| Vintage year | 2020 |
| alcohol | 12.5% |
| Recommended dishes | Salmon salad, summer vegetables, seafood |
| Suggested retail price | 1,900 yen (excluding tax) |
At Sileni, their Sauvignon Blanc usually comes from grapes grown in Marlborough on the South Island, but their Nouveau is made from grapes grown in Hawke's Bay on the North Island.
The winemaking process involves first soaking the grape skins in the juice for a short time at low temperature in a stainless steel tank. Then, the main fermentation and malolactic fermentation take place, which is a fermentation process in which the malic acid in the wine is converted to lactic acid. This mellows the acidity and brings out the aroma and fruitiness.
The wine has a light style with aromas of ripe peaches, tropical fruits, and citrus fruits , layered with refreshing herbal nuances , and a pleasant balance of fruitiness and acidity.
Chilling it well will allow you to enjoy the aroma even more. If you prefer chilled wine even if it becomes a little diluted, adding ice is also a good idea.
Sileni Nouveau Pinot Noir
| Wineries | Sileni Estates |
|---|---|
| region | Hawke's Bay |
| variety | Pinot Noir |
| Vintage year | 2020 |
| alcohol | 12.5% |
| Recommended dishes | Pork sausage ragout gnocchi |
| Suggested retail price | 1,900 yen (excluding tax) |
The Pinot Noir is made using the conventional method and a small amount of it is blended into the grapes that have undergone carbonic maceration, a process that is also used to make Beaujolais Nouveau.
Carbonic maceration is, simply put, a method of fermenting wine in a sealed tank with grape bunches without crushing them, in an environment filled with carbon dioxide and low in oxygen. The wine produced in this way is characterized by its fresh fruitiness and soft tannins, resulting in an aromatic style.
It has a vivid floral aroma of cherry and strawberry . It has a soft mouthfeel, fresh and juicy fruitiness . And the lively acidity lingers for a long time. It is a charming wine that tastes even better when lightly chilled .
Villa Maria Nouveau will be on sale from July 1st!
Image source: Kinoshita International Co., Ltd.
Villa Maria, which has received high praise both at home and abroad and is a staple New Zealand wine in Japan, began selling Nouveau on July 1st.
The "Nouveau" being sold will be one type of Sauvignon Blanc.
Villa Maria winemaker Simon Fell had this to say about this year's Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc:
Cool temperatures at the beginning of the growing season reduced yields, but relatively cool and very dry conditions thereafter produced a clean, fresh, aromatic wine that is a fresh, youthful and approachable Sauvignon Blanc.
(Interviewed by Kinoshita International Co., Ltd.)
He commented,
Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2020
| Wineries | Villa Maria |
|---|---|
| region | Marlborough |
| variety | Sauvignon Blanc |
| Vintage year | 2020 |
| alcohol | 12.5% |
| Recommended dishes | Seafood and white meat dishes in general |
| Suggested retail price | 2,000 yen (excluding tax) |
Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Nouveau is a blend of grapes from earlier ripening plots in Marlborough's Wairau and Awatere Valleys.
The harvested grapes are crushed, pressed and left to rest for 48 hours, then fermented at low temperature (12-14°C) in stainless steel tanks, different for each region, and finally blended.
This is a very summery, fruity wine with gorgeous aromas of lychee and passion fruit, and wonderful fruit flavors of apple, citrus, and tropical fruits . This is a dry Sauvignon Blanc with a gorgeous aroma and flavor !
▶Kinoshita International Official Online Shop "Pontovinho"
Enjoy the fresh "New Zealand Nouveau" this summer!
"New Zealand Nouveau" is a wine made from grapes harvested this year, and is one of the earliest in the world to be available. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic this year, there was some concern about whether it would arrive, but the wine released in July was able to arrive safely in Japan.
New Zealand wines are made specially from grapes that have just been harvested, so they are extremely fresh. This style brings out the best in New Zealand wines, which are fruity and refreshing .
Drinking a chilled glass of New Zealand Nouveau will instantly put you in the summer mood!
Be sure to try some fresh New Zealand wine this summer!
