Latest News and Reviews http://www.hancocks.co.nz http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:05:19 GMT Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:05:19 GMT Grape Variety: 100% Malbec

Growing Region: Colchagua Valley, Chile

Head Winemaker: Aurelio Montes

TASTING NOTE:
If you enjoy bright, fruit forward, early drinking styles of red wines that match a wide variety of dishes and occasions - this Malbec from Montes is one of those wines you should not miss out on - I would suggest that you jump on your bicycle (after you read this) and buy a case today before it all runs out. The grapes for this wine are from vines close to 100 years old in the well reputed Colchagua valley. The ripe Malbec fruit, which has been aged for 6 months in new and used French & American oak.
In the glass you have an intense ruby red colour. On the palate you have this appealing fruitiness combination of plum and blackberry characters, makes this wine a very good example of the potential of Colchagua valley and ripe Malbec. The subtle spiciness is totally integrated with the hints of vanilla that comes from the time in oak. The wine is full and mouth-filling, with ripe tannins and a voluptuous mid-palate and a persistent and very enjoyable, finish. Best served at 17-18 degrees C.

CELLARING POTENTIAL:
Drinking perfectly well now; and over the next 2-3 years.

SUGGESTED FOOD MATCHES:
Perfect wine match with red meats, pasta, and sauced dishes, plus tapas, enjoy.

Decant for 30 minutes and then sit back and enjoy. ]]> http://www.hancocks.co.nz/article.jsp?id=548&feature=WOW Grape Variety: 100% Malbec

Growing Region: Colchagua Valley, Chile

Head Winemaker: Aurelio Montes

TASTING NOTE:
If you enjoy bright, fruit forward, early drinking styles of red wines that match a wide variety of dishes and occasions - this Malbec from Montes is one of those wines you should not miss out on - I would suggest that you jump on your bicycle (after you read this) and buy a case today before it all runs out. The grapes for this wine are from vines close to 100 years old in the well reputed Colchagua valley. The ripe Malbec fruit, which has been aged for 6 months in new and used French & American oak.
In the glass you have an intense ruby red colour. On the palate you have this appealing fruitiness combination of plum and blackberry characters, makes this wine a very good example of the potential of Colchagua valley and ripe Malbec. The subtle spiciness is totally integrated with the hints of vanilla that comes from the time in oak. The wine is full and mouth-filling, with ripe tannins and a voluptuous mid-palate and a persistent and very enjoyable, finish. Best served at 17-18 degrees C.

CELLARING POTENTIAL:
Drinking perfectly well now; and over the next 2-3 years.

SUGGESTED FOOD MATCHES:
Perfect wine match with red meats, pasta, and sauced dishes, plus tapas, enjoy.

Decant for 30 minutes and then sit back and enjoy. ]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:05:19 GMT http://www.hancocks.co.nz/article.jsp?id=548 This mix is the essence of a Drambuie cocktail with the traditional flavours of honey, herbs and spices combined with zingy citrus lemon and plum. Combining new and old the spirit of Drambuie has been alive since 1745 when Prince Charlie gifted his loyal friend captain John MacKinnon with the secret to his Royal Elixir. This Elixir became known as 'The Golden Spirit with Secret Riches'. Enjoy this outside while the evenings are still warm.

INGREDIENTS:
45ml Drambuie
15ml Tuaca
25ml Lemon Juice
Half a plum
Teaspoon of plum jam

METHOD:
Muddle half a plum and a spoonful of plum jam in a Boston shaker. Add the Drambuie, Tuaca and lemon juice with ice and shake. Strain into a chilled glass of crushed ice. Top with soda or sparkling mineral water.

GARNISH:
With a lemon twist. ]]> http://www.hancocks.co.nz/article.jsp?id=549&feature=COW This mix is the essence of a Drambuie cocktail with the traditional flavours of honey, herbs and spices combined with zingy citrus lemon and plum. Combining new and old the spirit of Drambuie has been alive since 1745 when Prince Charlie gifted his loyal friend captain John MacKinnon with the secret to his Royal Elixir. This Elixir became known as 'The Golden Spirit with Secret Riches'. Enjoy this outside while the evenings are still warm.

INGREDIENTS:
45ml Drambuie
15ml Tuaca
25ml Lemon Juice
Half a plum
Teaspoon of plum jam

METHOD:
Muddle half a plum and a spoonful of plum jam in a Boston shaker. Add the Drambuie, Tuaca and lemon juice with ice and shake. Strain into a chilled glass of crushed ice. Top with soda or sparkling mineral water.

GARNISH:
With a lemon twist. ]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:05:19 GMT http://www.hancocks.co.nz/article.jsp?id=549 At the most basic level, organic wine is made from grapes that have been grown without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, herbicides or synthetic chemicals. The main categories of winemaking include: Sustainable, Organic and Biodynamic.
In organic winemaking you will find some very significant differences, both in the winemakers approach to growing grapes and the end result in the bottle. Note - grape growing like any other farming is organic by origin. However, like most other methods of farming the vast majority of vineyards today are not organic. For many winemakers, especially large wineries, it is not cost effective to grow organically, as far too many things can go wrong throughout the year that can easily destroy their grape crops.
Chemical fertilizers are predominantly used to remove vineyard destroying diseases. Organic wines are produced by using only organically grown grapes. No chemical fertilizers etc..., etc of any kind are allowed on the vines or in the soil of the vineyards claiming to be organic. Strict rules govern the winemaking process such as hand-harvesting the grapes, the types of yeasts that can be used during fermentation and storage conditions in the wineries of all imported and domestic wines that attain organic certification.
Organic winemakers refrain from all chemical substances used to stabilize conventional wines such as sulfites. It is important to remember that sulfites are a natural byproduct of the fermentation process and that it is impossible for any wine to be completely free of sulfites, as fermenting yeasts present on all grape skins generates naturally occurring sulfites. Organic wines may have naturally occurring sulfites, but the total sulfite level must be less than 20ppm in order to receive organic certification. Wines labeled 'organic' cannot contain added sulfites. Wines that have added sulfites, but are otherwise organic, are labeled 'wine made from organic grapes.' ]]> http://www.hancocks.co.nz/article.jsp?id=547&feature=DYK At the most basic level, organic wine is made from grapes that have been grown without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, herbicides or synthetic chemicals. The main categories of winemaking include: Sustainable, Organic and Biodynamic.
In organic winemaking you will find some very significant differences, both in the winemakers approach to growing grapes and the end result in the bottle. Note - grape growing like any other farming is organic by origin. However, like most other methods of farming the vast majority of vineyards today are not organic. For many winemakers, especially large wineries, it is not cost effective to grow organically, as far too many things can go wrong throughout the year that can easily destroy their grape crops.
Chemical fertilizers are predominantly used to remove vineyard destroying diseases. Organic wines are produced by using only organically grown grapes. No chemical fertilizers etc..., etc of any kind are allowed on the vines or in the soil of the vineyards claiming to be organic. Strict rules govern the winemaking process such as hand-harvesting the grapes, the types of yeasts that can be used during fermentation and storage conditions in the wineries of all imported and domestic wines that attain organic certification.
Organic winemakers refrain from all chemical substances used to stabilize conventional wines such as sulfites. It is important to remember that sulfites are a natural byproduct of the fermentation process and that it is impossible for any wine to be completely free of sulfites, as fermenting yeasts present on all grape skins generates naturally occurring sulfites. Organic wines may have naturally occurring sulfites, but the total sulfite level must be less than 20ppm in order to receive organic certification. Wines labeled 'organic' cannot contain added sulfites. Wines that have added sulfites, but are otherwise organic, are labeled 'wine made from organic grapes.' ]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:05:19 GMT http://www.hancocks.co.nz/article.jsp?id=547 Taylors - Promised Land Range:
The contemporary Promised Land range of wines is crafted from quality fruit sourced from both the family's Clare Valley estate as well as other premium South Australian regions, including Coonawarra, Padthaway and the Barossa. Designed to be fun, fruit-driven and offer tremendous value.

Taylors - Eighty Acres Range:
Eighty Acres is the newest range of wines from Taylors which are refreshingly down to earth. In 1969 Bill Taylor first got his hands dirty planting vines on the traditional 80 acre blocks that make up the Taylor family vineyard. He was pretty down to earth himself, and this range of wines was created to celebrate that heritage. The Eighty Acres range is now proudly 100% Carbon Neutral!

Taylors - *Estate Range:
In 1973, the first estate grown and bottled range of wines released under the Taylors name, and the Taylors Estate Cabernet Sauvignon burst out of the starting blocks, winning gold medals at every national wine show. This proved to be a good omen - a reputation was forged then and continues today with the wine winning medals at shows every year since.

Taylors - Jaraman Range:
Jaraman is the aboriginal word for seahorse and this range has been named after the fossilised remains of seahorses that were found on the family's Clare Valley estate. Jaraman wines are created from the fusion of two exceptional parcels of fruit from iconic wine regions in Australia. The result is a single variety wine which is multi-dimensional, highlighting the nuances of both terroirs.

Taylors - St Andrews Range:
St Andrews is the flagship range of ultra premium wines from Taylors. In 1995 the Taylor family purchased the historical St Andrews property next door to the Taylors estate, and the first Taylors St Andrews wines were released in 1999. The wines are hand crafted from individually selected parcels of fruit, grown on the family's estate vineyards, and are a true labour of love. ]]> http://www.hancocks.co.nz/article.jsp?id=544&feature=RCE Taylors - Promised Land Range:
The contemporary Promised Land range of wines is crafted from quality fruit sourced from both the family's Clare Valley estate as well as other premium South Australian regions, including Coonawarra, Padthaway and the Barossa. Designed to be fun, fruit-driven and offer tremendous value.

Taylors - Eighty Acres Range:
Eighty Acres is the newest range of wines from Taylors which are refreshingly down to earth. In 1969 Bill Taylor first got his hands dirty planting vines on the traditional 80 acre blocks that make up the Taylor family vineyard. He was pretty down to earth himself, and this range of wines was created to celebrate that heritage. The Eighty Acres range is now proudly 100% Carbon Neutral!

Taylors - *Estate Range:
In 1973, the first estate grown and bottled range of wines released under the Taylors name, and the Taylors Estate Cabernet Sauvignon burst out of the starting blocks, winning gold medals at every national wine show. This proved to be a good omen - a reputation was forged then and continues today with the wine winning medals at shows every year since.

Taylors - Jaraman Range:
Jaraman is the aboriginal word for seahorse and this range has been named after the fossilised remains of seahorses that were found on the family's Clare Valley estate. Jaraman wines are created from the fusion of two exceptional parcels of fruit from iconic wine regions in Australia. The result is a single variety wine which is multi-dimensional, highlighting the nuances of both terroirs.

Taylors - St Andrews Range:
St Andrews is the flagship range of ultra premium wines from Taylors. In 1995 the Taylor family purchased the historical St Andrews property next door to the Taylors estate, and the first Taylors St Andrews wines were released in 1999. The wines are hand crafted from individually selected parcels of fruit, grown on the family's estate vineyards, and are a true labour of love. ]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:05:19 GMT http://www.hancocks.co.nz/article.jsp?id=544