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Wine Sentience

Wine Sentience: What's On

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Our full calendar includes ongoing weekly tastings as well as regular masterclasses presented by the Wine Sentience team or by visiting wine professionals from the regions of New Zealand. Sometimes there are quiet months so please do look forward a month or two, so you don’t miss out on forthcoming events!

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Our first introduction to @halcyon_wines was last year @budburstnz where we were able to feel Amy and Olly’s passion first-hand. Both have strong backgrounds and long resumes supporting their pedigree in more classical winemaking but under their Halcyon Day’s label, we get to see the true nature of their personalities and their vision for natural wines in NZ. They are unafraid to espouse their love for pet-nat, unconventional blends or alternative varietals - so, unsurprisingly, we are thrilled and honoured to have them included as one of our Nouvelle 2019 producers! To spike our excitement (and hopefully yours) Amy & Olly will be bringing down a fresh look at organic Sangiovese from Mangatahi. Sangiovese is one of their favourite grape varieties, though, not always the most conducive growing in NZ unless conditions are right. We are considering ourselves quite lucky then to be able to pour this gently handled, 11%, wine on August 8th! . . . . #nouvelle2019 #nznouveau #nzorganic #organicwine #livingwine #hawkesbaywine #woap2019 #partywine #wineparty
Natural winemaking and organic and biodynamic viticulture are justly accruing more and more champions in NZ, but very few with as much experience, knowledge, and passion as @amoisewines . Amy’s qualifications range from academic studies in Beaune to completing a WSET diploma, and consequently, she has worn pretty much every hat imaginable in the wine industry. We are considering ourselves quite lucky that she is planting roots in NZ (couldn’t resist, sorry!) and calling Hawke’s Bay home where she is making small quantities of wine under her own label. In tandem with her role @parituawines , she has been sourcing organic certified fruit to create wines that reflect her own philosophy as a winemaker. This is a true passion project by someone who has more natural wine vim than most anyone we know. Naturally, we can’t wait to see what 2019, the second vintage Amy has bottled under Amoise, has to offer! Fortunately for us, we get to pour her fresh fresh release on August 8th at Nouvelle! . . #nouvelle2019 #nznouveau #organicwine #vinnaturel #woap2019 #womeninwine #wineparty #freshwine
We have long been admirers of what @aurumwineslucie have made in Lowburn - striking a perfect balance of Otago fruit and Burgundian elegance. So It is with a huge amount of honour and pride that we get to introduce Aurum as one of our winegrowers making a wine and attending Nouvelle 2019! While conjuring up Nouvelle, we created a short list of winemakers that not only practice organic viticulture, but embody something more: purpose, passion and a point of view. Combined, these attributes create wines that can unabashedly be themselves even if it means bucking trends, and that is exactly what Lucie, Brooke, and now Mathilde and Madeleine are doing in Lowburn. Which, leads us to the introduction of our youngest winemaking team taking part of Nouvelle... . . Mathilde and Madeleine each already have a exceptional Pinot cuvèe named after them, but this year, they took the reigns on the wine that will be poured on August 8th. Their wine is blend of rogue grapes throughout the vineyard (Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Flora and an unidentified red) co-fermented on the skins. If it sounds exciting, that’s because it is, and the only way to try will be to join us at Prefab hall on August 8th where we will be pouring it by the glass or by the bottle, and where, you can congratulate the duo in person! . . . . #nouvelle2019 #nznouveau #freshwine #wineparty #woap2019 #centralotagowine #organicwine #nouvelle2019🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Nouvelle felt like a pipe dream right up until the moment we spoke with Francis & Rosie @carrick_nz - so it feels only natural to start here. Armed with little more than an idea for a party and the words ‘joyful’ and ‘refreshing’, these 2 understood entirely the celebratory nature that is the heart of this event. . . Though our hearts are breaking that @mckeefryhutt is leaving us for the Northern Hemisphere, we are amazingly proud to be able to work with him for a 2019 Nouveau and to continue working with Rosie. Carrick may be many things to many people, but as a winery, they weave a complex story of personalities, knowledge, place and passion. They may be best known for impressive and powerful Bannockburn wines, but by allowing creativity and whimsy and a dedication to organics, Carrick has become one of our go to for skin-fermented whites and shorter cuvaison Pinot Noir. And because each style is such and honest reflection of the people and the place, the wines can be reflections of one another rather than opposition. Needless to say, we are chomping at the bit to taste the ‘Pas de Souci’ (it means no worries) in 6 weeks time! @mckeefryhutt we wish you the best in your upcoming ventures, and @rosieandvine we can’t wait to see you Wellington! A million and one thanks to you both. . . . #nouvelle2019 #nznouveau #wineparty #celebration #wellingtondrinks #woap2019
Unsurprisingly so, wine is the majority of our social media content. But it’s not often enough that we take the time to pause from the liquid in the bottle and focus on the people behind the wines. Nouvelle, however is a welcome chance to do so. . . While wine growers and makers are the true center of all wine events, it’s an absolute truth that Nouvelle would not exist without the support of the makers involved. Nouvelle is not a celebration of curated bottles pulled from a shelf, but rather one of bespoke wines that allow an entirely different interpretation of what there is to love about wine. To support this idea, the winemakers were asked to produce, bottle (or keg), and have a wine ready to be poured on August 8th. Needless to say, the onus of Nouvelle has fallen to the winemakers and we could not be more delighted and incredibly humbled. . . To shift the conversation away from what is in the glass and remind ourselves and others about the remarkable band of organic winegrowers pushing NZ wine forward, our feed over the next 6 weeks will be dedicated to highlighting each of the producers taking part in Nouvelle. Each one of these producers has had an impact on how we discuss the future of New Zealand wine, and we could not be more proud to call them friends and to pour their wine on August 8th! 🎉🎉🎉🍷🍷🍷 . . . . #nznouveau #nouvelle #woap2019 #freshwine #popupbar #wineparty #wellingtondrinks
Such a fun night! We were lucky enough to take #corksandcurds on the road tonight to the good folk at NZX. Caitlin regaled with 6 cheeses from @crankygoatltd @fromageriesmarcelpetite @maisonvauron #pierrerobert #kingsmeadecheese #comte36mois #tommedebrebis #corsica with an array of wine from @pheasants_tears #georgianwine #rkatsiteli @saltlickwinenz @weingutwoerner #marto #testalonga #buronfosse #jurawine and even #Bordeaux!!! #cheeseandwine #wineandcheese #wineeducation #winesentience #newzealand #wellington
The Alpine regions of Europe are rich in history, making for diverse communities sharing language and traditions that transcend beyond new national borders. They are also regions filled with numerous foods and wines that help to form the backbone of their identity. In the modern era of wine, many of the occult indigenous grape varieties that have historically courses along the Alps have been uprooted in favour of those more internationally known. But there is so much joy in exploring the long list of occult wines from the Alps- these unfashionable grape varieties, grown in their mountainous homeland are at times unpolished but savoury but lively and overtly food friendly. And, as we are to explore this Monday, June 10th, capable of ageing beyond expectation. The full line-up is: -2011 François Rousset-Martin Savagnin Clos de Trus -2012 Domaine fed Cavarodes Trousseau de Messagelin -2014 Cellier des Cray Chignin Bergeron Binette -2016 Jean-Yves Péron Côtillon des Dames (Jacquere) -2016 Grosjean Petite Arvine -2010 Di Barro Fumin -2009 Kuen Hof Eisacktaler Veltliner -2012 Untermoserhof St. Magdalener (Schiava) Due to the nature of these wines, this is a single bottle tasting. Link to tickets in bio . . . . #alpinewine #vindesavoie #südtirol #altoadige #vindejura #jurawine #valleedaoste #organicwine #wineeducation #wellingtondrinks
Coming up in June (on Monday the 10th!) we have a one off single bottle class, led by @caitlinperlmam covering the autochthonous varieties of the Alps. Suited to the dry, high altitude climates of the mountains, these varieties have a clarity, grip and freshness all their own. Join us on a journey through the Jura, Savoie, Val d’Aosta and Alto-Adige with some bottles we have snuck back to NZ from abroad. You can click through to our website from our bio. #jura #savoie #trentino #altoadige #valdaosta #naturalwine #alpine #alps #organicwine #sulfurfree #wineeducation
The second Thursday of August is obviously the new third Thursday of November, right?? We are so excited to celebrate the 2019 vintage in New Zealand with fresh release wines from our friends. We may have asked for wines for drinking more than thinking, but believe we can all use a little ‘Joie de Soif’ and a little party. Thanks to all who, for reasons I may never understand, have agreed to partake! @aurumwineslucie @amoisewines @alpinewineco @cambridgeroad @carrick_nz @halcyon_wines @thehermitram @kindeliwines @kellywashingtonwines @mountedwardwinery @wellyonaplate . . . . #nouvelle #nznouveau #drinkfresh
We have four seats left to this intimate winemaker’s dinner. (Link in our bio) Domaine de Beaurenard is a leading light in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The 60 ha estate is certified Demeter #biodynamic since 2012; farmed following the lunar and planetary cycles, incorporating all 13 of the traditional varieties permitted in Châteauneuf. On 29th May, we are very proud to welcome Laure and Fréderic Coulon (7th generation custodians of this great estate) to Wellington for dinner at Brooklyn’s famed wine bistro, Salty Pidgin. We will be running a special masterclass showing the full range, including current and aged examples of their estate cuvée, their old-vine (60-100 year old) Cuvée Boisrenard, and a special treat of their ultra-rare Châteauneuf-du-Pape Gran Partita which was only ever made once in the 2012 vintage. The dinner includes a bottle from our cellar of the 2000 vintage Boisrenard. We are very fortunate to have John-Paul Henderson and Amy Gillies hosting us for the dinner. Amy has created a stunning menu to showcase these wines across three courses;
 King Fish Tartar, Marlborough Truffle Black, Sushi Rice
Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Boisrenard’ Blanc 2017
 Rabbit Terrine, Spiced Jelly, Pickled Carrots
Rasteau 2017
Châteauneuf-du-Pape rouge 2016
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Boisrenard rouge 2016
 Wild Venison Pie, Celeriac, Black Olive & Watercress
Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Gran Partita" 2012
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2010
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Boisrenard rouge 2000 
#chateauneuf #chateauneufdupape #finewine #cellar #wineeducation #winemaker #organic #organicwine #rhone #rhonewine #collaboration #saltypidgin #dinner #sommelier #winetasting #brooklyn #wellingtonnz