Top Picks

Three 'top picks' from Vidal Winemaker Hugh Crichton

vidal reserve chardonnay 2008

Vidal has a history of producing fine Chardonnays, most recently:

2005: Elite Gold at the prestigious Air New Zealand Wine Awards.
2006: Trophy - Air New Zealand Wine Awards in 2007
2007: Trophy - Air New Zealand Wine Awards in 2008
2008: 5 Stars and Top 10 Cuisine Chardonnay tasting

This consistency has culminated in Michael Cooper awarding classic status to Vidal Reserve Chardonnay, a status only given to a few of the finest examples in New Zealand. Vidal Chardonnay tends to lean toward the complex, flinty style with hallmarks of elegance, fine acidity and texture and the 2008 certainly fits comfortably with these descriptors. As usual, quantities of this wine are limited.

Vidal Reserve hawkes bay syrah 2007

No other Hawkes Bay wine has taken the limelight like Hawkes Bay Syrah.

Not to be confused with Shiraz, good examples show fine aroma and flavour profiles with emphasis on floral and spice, fine acidity and a degree of elegance.

Vidal is independently recognised as one of the top producers of Syrah and this 2007 wine is tribute to that being awarded several trophies at wine awards throughout 2010. These include:

Trophy & Gold – Tri Nations Wine Challenge 2010 (NZ)
Trophy (Reserve Champion Wine) – Romeo Bragato Wine Awards 2010 (NZ)
Trophy (Champion Syrah) – Romeo Bragato Wine Awards 2010 (NZ)
Trophy (Sustainability) – Romeo Bragato Wine Awards 2010 (NZ)

This wine is a must-buy, not only for enjoyment now but for at least five to eight years from vintage.

Vidal Marlborough Riesling 2010

Arguably the most underrated variety in the world and Marlborough has a growing reputation for producing some fine examples.

One of the issues that consumers have with Riesling is that it is not always clear if the wine is dry or sweet. Both styles can be exemplorary.

There is no doubting that 2010 Vidal Riesling is dry. Recently awarded a gold medal at the prestigious Royal Easter Show Wine Awards of New Zealand, this wine is drinking beautifully now but will age gracefully for at least 5 years if not longer. This wine shows purity and definition with emphasis on lime and citrus aroma and flavours.