The Gambero Rosso ’Tre Bicchieri’ World Tour rode into Auckland again this year – at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, facing the beautiful Auckland harbour. This year we were treated to 13 Italian wineries and their producers showing off their award-winning wines.
The 2023 event also sees the President of the Prosecco Consortium – Stefano Zanette, and Tanja Barattin – PR for Prosecco DOC, in attendance. Gambero Rosso are represented by Group CEO Luigi Salerno, International Director Tina Eriksson and International Editor Lorenzo Ruggeri. They arrived in Auckland after two days of exploration in the Marlborough wine region. The representatives were impressed by “the bold, distinctive Sauvignon Blancs of Marlborough” (with Clos Henri being singled out for particular praise). They had also visited one of our local legends in sparkling wine production – Daniel le Brun at No.1 Family Estate.
The day begins with a Prosecco Masterclass. One of the topics being discussed in was the bi-lateral agreement with New Zealand and the European Union has reached and which recognises the Prosecco DOC trademark.The agreement was reached just months after China agreed to officially recognise the Italian sparkling wine’s trademark. See this article for details on all things Prosecco > https://winefolio.co.nz/?p=8499.
Downstairs in the main space, there was a chance to taste through a wide range of wines – featuring many local grape varietals such as the white grapes Friulano, Passerina, Timorasso, Bellone and Verdeca – many of which were the first try for me; and even a couple of new red grapes – Refosco and Cesanese.
A few highlights included the new Luna di Ponca Borgo Conventi wine – a blend of Friulano, Chardonnay, and Malvasia grapes. From Collio region in the north-west of Italy it is an intensely aromatic wine with citrus, lemon blossom and some sweet vanilla oak on the nose. Something else new for me – and one I’ve been hanging out to try for a while is a Prosecco from the hills of Cartizze, and there it was – a Villa Sandi Superiore di Cartizze La Rivetta Prosecco DOCG. Dried apple, frothy bubbles, five spice and ginger. Quite intense and minerally. This was the real deal – I’ll be on the lookout for it.
I’ve also become quite the fan of Verdicchio in recent times. One stand – Umani Ronchi – had two! This green-skinned grape has its home in the coastal Marche region in Central Italy. Umani Ronchi Casal di Serra Verdicchio sees no oak, but has a lovely lees-influenced nuttiness and minerality. Plenio is the top white wine from Umani Ronchi, and also a Riserva – so has extra bottle age, but also sees some oak and malolactic fermentation, resulting in a richer, full-bodied style – one for Chardonnay fans.
Of course you’re spoiled when it comes to red white in an Italian Expo, and I’m just going to single out a couple of stand outs amongst a throng of excellent examples. Masca del Tacco ‘Piano Chiuso’ Primitivo di Manduria Riserva. This winner of many 3 Bicchieri Gambero Rosso awards, it is made from old bush vines and is a powerful, muscular and spicy red. Just this week I was talking about the need to have a couple of Primitivo wines in the shop, and this would fit the bill completely.
Another must-have in my mind would be a good Brunello – and at the end of the afternoon I tasted the 2018 La Poderina Brunello di Montalcino and it is so smooth – although there are grippy tannins present, but nestled into a velvetty texture. Lots of black fruit. One to savour.
