Wine columnist and connoisseur Dennis Knill gives his views on Church Road’s new range of Gwen wines.
Although our wine culture is relatively young, Hawke’s Bay, with more than 100 vineyards, is the oldest wine region in the country and second only to Marlborough. With hot summers and crisp autumn days, it’s an unbeatable environment for grapes to thrive; grape-wise, there is nothing that cannot be grown here.
Founded in 1897, Church Road is one of our oldest wineries and the first in New Zealand to craft high quality Bordeaux reds. In the 1950s owner Tom McDonald brazed a trail proving the region’s suitability for growing red varietals, having grown the country’s first cabernet sauvignon in 1949. Today Church Road is at the forefront of Hawke’s Bay’s traditional winemaking techniques, producing some of our most highly acclaimed, award-winning wines
Among the several label tiers from the wineries stable is the new Gwen series, named in honour of Tom’s wife Florence Gwendolyn Brown. Chris Scott, chief winemaker, using his expertise and passion has overseen the introduction of many new varietals, collecting some major trophies along the way
’20 Gwen Chardonnay
RRP $25
Dry and moderate, driven by a lighter body and style, and accentuated with a delightful fusion of acidity and a wave of floral fruit that will not disappoint.
’20 Gwen Pinot Gris
RRP $25
Medium-to-full-bodied with a low but crisp acidity and inviting aromas and a bouquet of spice and loaded with fruity flavours that make for great balance and appeal.
’20 Gwen Rose
RRP $25
An appealing, full-bodied and concentrated example crafted with a crisp, dry finish that displays lots of floral and fruit intensity with plenty of flavour on the palate.
