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Summary
This is a tale of deception, daring, disaster…and deliverance.
It also features skinny sheep and wine robots.
It’s the story of Marlborough, the iconic New Zealand wine region which is celebrating its 50th wine birthday, after vines were planted by Frank Yukich in August 1973.
Yukich had risked personal financial ruin getting to this point. ‘Wines from here will become world famous!’ he declared.
Shortly after which most of the vines died from drought.
But no adventure story is without its supreme setbacks. And this story features everything from the Queen to gut-rot via shiny tractors.
On the wine front, it’s sobering to think just how far Marlborough has come in 50 harvests, from a shaky start to sensational Sauvignon Blanc and much more besides. It’s a region helping set the global agenda for the wine of the future – and a tribute to the imaginative, resilient Kiwi spirit.
This is a sponsored episode in collaboration with New Zealand Winegrowers.
Starring
- Jamie Marfell, Group Winemaker, Pernod Ricard New Zealand
- Hans and Therèse Herzog, Hans Herzog Estate
- Susie & Peter
Links
- Here’s a link to see the Appellation Marlborough Wine Map
- You can find our podcast on all major audio players: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon and beyond. The button below will redirect you automatically to this episode on an audio platform on your device.
Wines
Here are the Marlborough wines we taste in this episode. Click on the wine name for the Wine Searcher link to find where you can buy this wine around the world. Selected UK stockists are included where appropriate – often with the best price available:
- Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2022, 12.5% (£10, Waitrose, Tesco, Ocado)
- Brancott Estate Chosen Rows Sauvignon Blanc 2015 ($25.99)
- Hans Herzog Zweigelt 2017, 13.5% (£35, Caviste, Reserve Wines)
- Hans Herzog Spirit of Marlborough 2016, 14.5% (£50, Caviste)
- Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2022, 13.5% (£21.99, Majestic, Lay & Wheeler)
- Greywacke Wild Sauvignon 2021, 14% (£31.99, Majestic, Hedonism)
- Lawson’s Dry Hills Reserve Chardonnay 2021, 13.5% (£16, Wine Trust, Vino Direct)
- Blank Canvas Reed Vineyard Chardonnay 2022, 13.5% (£33.99, North South Wines)
- Villa Maria Seddon Pinot Gris 2020, 14.5% (£23, The Wine Reserve, VINVM)
- Wairau River Pinot Noir 2021, 13% (£15-17, Simply Wines Direct)
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