Summer nouveau has arrived again this year from New Zealand, located in the southern hemisphere!
Wonderfully fresh and fruity, New Zealand Nouveau is the perfect wine for summer in Japan.
I think to myself, "If I don't drink this, I won't get through the summer!"
For those who have never tried it before, I hope you will take this opportunity to try it at least once."
In this article, we will provide you with basic knowledge and the latest information about New Zealand Nouveau.
Characteristics of "New Zealand Nouveau"
First of all, what kind of wine is "New Zealand Nouveau"?
Yes, let me start by telling you the basics.
Nouveau means "new" in French, and 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 using grapes that were just harvested this year.
Many of the major wine-producing countries in Europe and the United States are located in the Northern Hemisphere, and the peak grape harvest season is around August to October.
On the other hand, New Zealand is a country in the Southern Hemisphere, so the seasons are the opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere, and grapes are harvested from February to April. This means that New Zealand is one of the first countries in the world to produce wine using grapes harvested that year.
"New Zealand Nouveau" is packed with many of the charms that are unique to New Zealand wine. First of all, "Sauvignon Blanc", which accounts for more than 70% of New Zealand wine, is characterized by its bursting fruitiness such as passion fruit and tropical fruits, and its crisp acidity.
It is generally said that Sauvignon Blanc is a variety that shows off its individuality more the sooner it is bottled. Since Nouveau is a freshly made wine, the freshness of Sauvignon Blanc stands out.
Some wineries also produce new wine from Pinot Noir, the main variety of red wine in New Zealand. This wine has a very familiar red berry aroma and is best served slightly chilled.
Regardless of the variety, New Zealand Nouveau is a wine that goes well with outdoor activities, such as on an open terrace, or under the sun. If you have the opportunity, please try it under the blue sky.
Definition of "New Zealand Nouveau"
When I hear the word Nouveau, I think of Beaujolais Nouveau, but how is it different from New Zealand Nouveau?
Well, let's just briefly touch on that.
Beaujolais Nouveau is a new wine made in the Beaujolais region of France using grapes harvested that year. It is also known for being sold simultaneously around the world at midnight on the third Thursday of November every year.
In addition, even outside of the sales release date, there are strict rules regarding the grape varieties used and the production method for wine sold as Beaujolais Nouveau.
→ For more information about Beaujolais Nouveau and new wines from around the world, click here
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).
I see, so there are no strict rules for New Zealand Nouveau. Does that mean there is no release date like there is for Beaujolais?
Yes, that's right. Each company is free to set their own release dates, rather than starting sales at the same time.
Nouveau from NZ's popular winery "Villa Maria"
![[NZ Nouveau] Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2022](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0553/3161/8873/files/PB_2022NV_8cb0d39c-ff33-49ac-8371-63fce0bd8192.jpg?v=1659923425)
Villa Maria , a popular winery in our store Bokumo Wine, is one of New Zealand's leading wineries and has won numerous awards at wine competitions around the world.
Villa Maria Nouveau is sold as the regular "Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc" with a "Nouveau" sticker affixed to it.
This wine, labeled with the Nouveau label, is made from early-ripened Sauvignon Blanc grapes from Villa Maria's own vineyards.
[NZ Nouveau] Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2022
| Wineries | Villa Maria |
|---|---|
| region | Marlborough |
| variety | Sauvignon Blanc |
| Vintage year | 2022 |
| Recommended dishes | Seafood, white meat dishes, appetizers |
| Our sales price | 1,980 yen (tax included) |
▶︎ [Bokumo Wine] Villa Maria sales page
Iwasu's tasting comment
As one of New Zealand's leading wineries, Villa Maria is known for its high quality wines.
The 2022 Nouveau is very refreshing and characterized by rich fruitiness of grapefruit and lemon, and a pleasant bitterness reminiscent of the white pith.
It has a clean aftertaste and a rather light finish.
It would go perfectly with marinated summer vegetables, salads with seafood or chicken, sauteed pork with herbs, and cold pasta with prosciutto.
With just one bottle of this wine, your dinner table will instantly feel like summer and your meal will look more festive.
▶︎ [Bokumo Wine] Villa Maria sales page
Sileni Nouveau has arrived again this year!
Image source: Enoteca Online Shop
Sileni is one of the top New Zealand wines imported to Japan. The 2022 Nouveau wines will be on sale from early August.
How are the grapes and wine this year?
Enoteca, Sileni's importer, had the following to say about the quality of this year's grapes and wine:
"Unexpected rains hit the harvest season in Hawke's Bay in 2022, making it a challenging vintage for producers. However, Sileni Estate was able to accurately time the harvest and, thanks to the hard work of the harvesting and winery teams, successfully produce wine using selected grapes this year as well.
The resulting wine is aromatic and full of lively fruit flavours.”
About the wines on sale
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
Source: Enoteca Online Shop
| Wineries | Sileni Estates |
|---|---|
| region | Hawke's Bay |
| variety | Sauvignon Blanc |
| Vintage year | 2022 |
| Recommended dishes | Salmon salad, summer vegetables, seafood |
| 2,090 yen (tax included) |
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 (the fermentation in which the malic acid in the wine is converted to lactic acid) are carried out simultaneously. This mellows the acidity and brings out the natural aroma and fruitiness of the grapes.
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.
If you drink it well chilled, it will be smooth and easy to enjoy. If you prefer chilled wine even if it becomes a little diluted, I think it's also good to add ice to enjoy it.
Sileni Nouveau Pinot Noir
Source: Enoteca Online Shop
| Wineries | Sileni Estates |
|---|---|
| region | Hawke's Bay |
| variety | Pinot Noir |
| Vintage year | 2022 |
| Recommended dishes | Pork sausage ragout gnocchi |
| Suggested retail price | 2,200 yen (tax included) |
For Pinot Noir, most of the grapes are fermented whole-cluster, with a small amount of wine made using the carbonic maceration method blended in.
"Carbonic maceration" is a method used to make Beaujolais Nouveau, in which grape bunches are placed in sealed tanks without being crushed, and the wine is fermented in an environment filled with carbon dioxide and with little oxygen. Wines made using the carbonic maceration method have soft tannins and fresh fruitiness, resulting in an aromatic style.
This wine has a vibrant floral aroma of cherry, strawberry, and violet. It has a soft mouthfeel, fresh and juicy fruit flavors, and a long, lively acidity. This charming wine tastes even better when lightly chilled.
I think this Sileni Pinot is probably the only New Zealand red Nouveau wine coming to Japan. It's light and approachable, which is nice.
I once took a chilled bottle of this Pinot Noir Nouveau to the beach and drank it. At the time, I really felt that this was the perfect wine to drink in the summer.
Enjoy fresh New Zealand Nouveau this summer!
"New Zealand Nouveau" is one of the earliest wines in the world made from grapes harvested this year. This year, it has arrived safely in Japan.
New Zealand Nouveau is specially made from grapes that have just been harvested, and its aroma and flavor are full of freshness. This style further emphasizes the fruity qualities of NZ wine, so we recommend drinking it chilled.
We hope that fresh New Zealand sake will become a staple for you as you get through the hot Japanese summer!
