Complexity is hosting top New York trade and media on the innovative ‘Grapes on a Train’ rail experience on Sunday 16 September.  Eleven New Zealand hosts and presenters are now making their way to New York to join Janet Pouchot – our Complexity Campaign Manager.  

The rail experience departs from New York in two private vintage rail carriages and winds its way through to Montreal. Coined one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world, it takes in the ever-changing views of the Hudson River and the brilliant Adirondacks fall foliage. 

Along the way guests will be treated to small group tutored tastings by some of Complexity’s most talented winemakers, and get to taste through stunning wines from our portfolio, accompanied by iconic kiwi cuisine.

Bob Campbell MW is our ‘Grapes on a Train’ Ambassador. Renowned for his extensive wine knowledge, Bob is passionate about diving into the diverse depths of wine, has an engaging personality and an alarmingly witty sense humour.

Bob met with Morag Fryer our Project Manager before he departed for New York and commented.."Grapes on a train" - one of the World's greatest train journeys, a selection of New Zealand's finest wines and the cream of New York's wine trade and wine media for company - it doesn't get better than that!”

In a flash it was over, and what a fab time it was, with over 1900 wine lovers tuning in from all over the world! Thank you to those who joined us from far flung places like Tokyo, Northern Ireland, Canada, and of course NZ and USA. For those of you who missed it, you can view the highlights reel above. Or if you prefer, grab a bottle of fine NZ wine and sit down to watch the full show (all 41mins of it!)

Recipes

As a special treat, Chef Bill Kim of Chicago's Urban Belly and Belly Shack has shared with us the four delectable recipes he created for NZ Wine Day – using heart healthy NZ Cervena Venison and creamy NZ King Salmon. You can download Chef Kim's recipes here.

American gourmets looking to recreate the NZ Wine Day experience at home might like to know that the NZ venison and salmon used by Chef Kim can be purchased the following online stores...

Cervena Natural Tender Venison at D'Artagnan 

NZ King Salmon at Gilt Taste 

The Wines

Next time you're out wine shopping take along our list of all the fabulous NZ fine wines featured on NZ Wine Day 2012 – or purchase online at Vintage New Zealand (USA).

2nd Annual 
NEW ZEALAND WINE DAY
Virtual Wine Tasting
7:00-7:30pm Central Standard Time
Saturday February 4th, 2012

In association with Wine Channel TV we're celebrating Waitangi Day (NZ's National holiday) with a virtual wine tasting and cooking demonstration – and you're invited to 'come along'! With Celebrity Winemakers in attendance, and a live audience in Chicago, you'll have the opportunity to message in questions as you sip along from the comfort of your living room. Gather up a group of friends, register, and tune in with fellow-wine lovers from around the globe for this fun, social way to taste and learn about New Zealand's finest wines!

Be sure to stock up with a few bottles from our featured wines at a participating retailer beforehand. To stay up-to-date with #NZWineDay news including competitions, participating retailers and restaurants, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Everybody who registers will be automatically entered into a draw to win great Kiwi prizes! Click below to register for this FREE event and we'll send you everything you need to know about how to access the virtual wine tasting online. 

See you online!

Got Questions? Email us! events@complexity.co.nz

Complexity brings together 21 of New Zealand’s great wineries with a single purpose:  to establish New Zealand’s credentials in the world of fine wine.  This month, 12 of New Zealand’s leading winemakers from Complexity will descend on New York and Chicago  to host an educational and engaging wine tasting seminar offering genuine insight into New Zealand culture, followed by a 3-course wine pairing dinner featuring the very best of New Zealand cuisine. 

Guests will have the opportunity to experience a grand selection of more than 40 wines from New Zealand’s most exciting wine regions and the chance to talk first hand with 12 of New Zealand’s leading winemakers, including: Steph Lambert from Amisfield, Phyll Pattie from Ata Rangi, Nigel Greening from Felton Road, Michael Brajkovich from Kumeu River, Michael Herrick from Mt. Difficulty, Clive Jones from Nautilus, Judy Finn from Neudorf, Pip Goodwin from Palliser, Rudi Bauer from Quartz Reef, Kyle Thompson from Saint Clair, George Fistonich from Villa Maria and Stu Marfell from Vavasour.

NEW YORK CONSUMER INVITATION

Date: Monday, May 23rd, Time: 6:00pm - 8:30pm

Where: Aureole, 135 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036, 212 319 1660 

To Register: Please visit http://complexitynyc-eorg.eventbrite.com/  or email donna@gregorywhitepr.com

Price: $95 per person, plus tax and gratuity

CHICAGO CONSUMER INVITATION

Date: Thursday, May 26th, Time: 6:00pm - 8:30pm

Where: Kenmore Live Studio,  678 N. Wells Street, Chicago, IL 60654, 312 265 087

To Register: Please visit http://complexitychicago-eorg.eventbrite.com/ or email donna@gregorywhitepr.com

Price: $75 per person (all inclusive)

SAN FRANCISCO INVITATION

Date: Tuesday, May 31st, Time: 8:00pm - 10:00pm

Where: Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 222 Sansome Street, San Francisco, CA

To Register: Please email Nicole Kosta nkosta@mohg.com

View all our events on Facebook 

New York, NY (January 26, 2011) – Waitangi Day or New Zealand Day is cause for celebration here in the U.S. when Complexity - New Zealand Fine Wine, a group of 21 leading wineries from eight diverse wine growing regions of New Zealand, kicks off New Zealand „Wine‟ Day on February 5, 2011. What better way to experience New Zealand than through a live or virtual tasting of some of the very best wines New Zealand has to offer. Waitangi Day is New Zealand‟s National Day celebrated by New Zealanders in their homeland and around the world.

Alastair Maling, Master of Wine and Group Winemaker for Villa Maria Estates – a member of Complexity - New Zealand Fine Wine, and Jessica  Altieri of „Just Jess‟ on WineChannelTV will host a tasting of award-winning New Zealand wines exquisitely paired with dishes from Chef Mike Morales of Chicago‟s Sunda Restaurant on Saturday, February 5 from 7-9 PM CST at the Kenmore Live Studio, 678 N. Wells Street, Chicago. Registration is free. You must be over 21 years to rsvp at: http://klsnzwineday.eventbrite.com and you can follow all details leading up to the event at facebook.com/nzwineday or on twitter at @nzwineday.

“We can‟t bring everyone to New Zealand wine country so we are inviting people from around the United States to help us celebrate Waitangi Day and discover the quality and diversity of New Zealand wines by bringing a bit of New Zealand to them -- in both live and online format” stated Janet Pouchot, Complexity - New Zealand Fine Wine, U.S. Campaign Manager.

The New Zealand Wine Day celebration at the Kenmore Live Studio on February 5 will be broadcast via live interactive online video from the Kenmore Live Studio and on WineChannelTV. Viewers from around the
United States (and from around the world) can engage in the live show through twitter and facebook with direct access to loads of lively discussion about New Zealand, educational information on New Zealand wines, expert menu pairing tips and the opportunity for interactive live chat exchange with Complexity - Fine Wine New Zealand Winemakers celebrating Waitangi Day at their wineries and vineyards in New Zealand.

So if you‟re just a little curious about Waitangi Day rituals and the land of the long white cloud, and you enjoy world class wines that are uniquely New Zealand, join the New Zealand Wine Day celebration online with a glass of New Zealand wine (optional) and qualify for the chance to win authentic New Zealand giveaways. Please register at: http://klsnzwineday.eventbrite.com. The Live video portion of the show will take place from 7-8 PM CST, with live twitter and facebook feeds till 9 PM CST.

All details leading up to the event can be found at facebook.com/nzwineday or on twitter at @nzwineday.

Over 60 of the most influential players in the US wine industry enjoyed some of the best New Zealand has to offer in terms of high end wine and cuisine, in Denver, CO, at the launch of Complexity.

Always looking for the next new trend, the hand picked attendees were treated to a stunning line up of 59 of the best New Zealand wines from around the country through master classes and tastings hosted by 25 New Zealand winemakers and winery owners.

Michael Kudish, Wine Buyer, Wine Emporium MA, had this to say about the Complexity Launch

‘I am so impressed by the amazing care, passion and thought that has gone into everything we experienced.  It was totally seamless, very well put together and so well executed. 

Really eye opening on the wines – certainly a well rounded education on the wine, people, country.  You have taken your knowledge and passion of New Zealand wine, culture and cuisine and translated that to us so well.

There will be a significant long term benefit from this.  I now have great belief in the quality and value of your wines and am confident to pass this onto our customers.

Complexity is a great name.  The Wines have so much more to offer than the common thought.’  

Sterling Pratt, Wine Director Schaefer’s IL....

‘I am totally overwhelmed by the amazing experience I have had – the wines the passion the cuisine – there is so much to more than I thought.  I look forward to processing it and communicating it to my people.’

IMAGES FROM THE EVENT:

Ian Morden welcome and the New Zealand map table

Sauvignon blanc masterclass placemat

Steve Smith keynote masterclass

New Zealand map table

Whole snapper BBQ with Matt Dicey and Martin Bosley

Masterclass

The Honourable Gerry Brownlee – Minister of Economic Development launches the “Complexity ‘ project at Parliament buildings in Wellington. The project is committed to promoting and growing its premium branding across the globe.

Read the full article below:

Complexity Parliment Launch.pdf

The Complexity website will officially go live on the 15th of September.