This week we are disgorging the latest batch of our much beloved Nautilus Cuvee. Disgorging is the last step in the process to prepare the wine for release and this particular batch was blended & bottled (“tiraged” is the technical term) in 2009. The wine is a blend based principally on the 2009 vintage with a small amount of older reserve wine to give additional complexity…
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Author Archives: Clive Jones
***Nerd alert*** The technical side of methode traditionnelle sparkling wine.
Tags: cuvee, disgorgement, disgorging, Marlborough, methode, sparkling, tirage
Vintage 2013 Report
A relatively cool start to the season made for a few nights on frost patrol but we were lucky and no real damage was done. The rest of spring & summer went very much according to plan with the accumulation of growing degree days (GDD) looking remarkably normal. Then after Xmas suddenly all the talk was of drought. This meant angst for the dairy farmers…
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Tags: 2013, cj, clive jones, report, Vintage, winemaking
Serious Sauvignon Blanc Winemaking
I had to answer a question from Drinks Business magazine this week about how our Sauvignon Blanc winemaking style has evolved over the years. I thought it might be of interest to some of our international mates and supporters so have posted my reply here… As a regional style, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has undergone some evolution since it emerged in the mid 80’s with changes…
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Tags: interview, Sauvignon Blanc, serious sauvignon, style evolution
Vintage 2013 Kicks Off!
Hi all, We kicking things off this morning with a small pick of Pinot Noir for Nautilus Cuvee. We regard this as our ‘indicator’ block as it usually at least a week ahead of our next pick. This year we picked on the 6th March. Apart from the very late vintage last year we have picked this block between the 3rd & 11th of March…
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Nautilus Pinot & Silere Merino
Last week I had the privilege of attending a 6 course degustation dinner featuring Silere alpine origin merino. Yes not only do these high country sheep produce remarkable wool but they taste pretty good as well. Hosted by Silere at Hummingbird Eatery & Bar in Wellington with the very talented Chef Glen Taylor in the kitchen we were in for a treat. Over the 6…
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Trophy for Nautilus Chardonnay
I was delighted to collect the chardonnay trophy for our 2011 Nautilus chardonnay at the Speiglau Wine Competiton on friday night. From 177 entries the judges (with impeccable taste I must say) found our wine top – interestingly the other 6 gold medals also went to Marlborough chardonnays. I do think quality chardonnay grown in Marlborough is underated and too often overlooked. Gone are the…
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Tags: Awards, Chardonnay, Spieglau, Trophy
UK winemakers tour
I am almost home from a hectic 2 week tour of the UK, with a small group of antipodian winemakers (2 kiwis, 4 aussies) and what a great 2 weeks it has been. Travelling from Edinburgh to Manchester to London to Bristol then Glasgow, Whitby, Dartmouth and back to London showing off the wines of Nautilus Estate. This was the 1st time we have had…
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UK Winemaker’s Tour September 2012
I always love coming to the UK – my English parents immigrated to New Zealand in the 50’s so our family has a lot of connections there and every time I visit, London feels more familiar and welcoming. NZ and the UK have so much in common (love of fish and chips, rugby, and Olympic rowing success) that trips to the UK are enjoyable rather…
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Tags: UK, Winemakerstour2012
Wine dinners & wineclub tastings in the central North Island
Last week I had a flying visit up north for a series of trade calls and a couple of consumer eveing events. It was the perfect setting to showcase our wines – having a captured audience for a couple of hours and being able to showcase our wines along side food. The 1st was a winemakers dinner at Fahrenheit restaurant in Te Awamutu where Nautilus…
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Post Vintage road trip
On Sunday the cellar crew drove down to Christchurch for some post vintage time out – well that was our excuse to go and see the Reds vs Crusaders Super 15 match. While not a spectacular game at least the good guys won (yes that is the Crusaders) which meant we enjoyed the post match dinner at The Monday Room – great tapas and excellent wine and beer selection. A…
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Tags: Vintage