Jess Altieri from Wine Channel TV interviews:

Sir George Fistonich from Villa Maria

and Pip Goodwin from Palliser

The Complexity Masterclasses continued to delight and enthral both trade and consumers in Chicago with the presentation of a broad range of the high end New Zealand Wines from the Complexity – New Zealand Fine Wine portfolio.

Janet Pouchot, Complexity Campaign Manager said ‘both trade and consumers were captivated by the high end Sauvignon Blanc wines as for many this was the first exposure to a range of more sophisticated and yes ‘complex’ wines.  They were intrigued as to how and why we would make a reserve Sauvignon Blanc and most impressed with the wines.’

Nigel Greening from Felton Road and Michael Brajkovich MW from Kumeu River lead the Masterclass discussions on high end Sauvignon Blanc wines supported by a full team of 13 New Zealand winery owners and winemakers.

The second major focus of the Masterclasses is present the breadth and depth of our Pinot Noir wines and our innovation and new thinking in the vineyard and winery.  Engaging personalities such as Rudi Bauer from Quartz Reef really make New Zealand Pinot Noir come alive and present the people and passion behind our wines.

 Nigel Greening commented that trade and consumers were amazed by the New Zealand Map Table – a huge work of art of the New Zealand North and South island that can sit 46 for dinner.  It has full detail of all the vineyard sites for the Complexity wines and in a very simple way allows people to understand the geography of New Zealand and our regional diversity.   So someone in Chicago can actually have dinner in Marlborough!

 The Complexity Masterclasses complete in San Francisco on Tuesday 31 May.