Rugby

Front Row wine for NZ Rugby World Cup

A front row with perfect balance, good body and grassy tones might well sound like a coach’s description of his rugby team but these are in fact terms that sum up a new range of New Zealand wines released especially for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Melton Estate, a boutique winery 20 minutes from the South Island city of Christchurch, has produced the range known as ‘Front Row Wines’ in a pro-active bid to market Canterbury wine and the winery as a destination, leading up to and during the World Cup in New Zealand.

The range includes sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, chardonnay and riesling.

Melton Estate
The winery says the wines are "handcrafted for forward thinkers" and are made from grapes from established vineyards. Melton Estate is set on 12 acres and has some of Canterbury’s oldest vines.

Melton Estate says the Front Row Wines are ready to drink now. All are "classic wines" that would appeal to most palates and are designed to either be enjoyed on their own or served with good food.

Philip Caunter, owner of Melton Estate Wines, says the idea was to produce a Canterbury Wine range that could be used for events around the city and the region leading up to, and during, the World Cup.

Functions and events
The award-winning winery is a popular venue for corporate functions and events and has a cafe and conference facilities in the centre of the vineyard.

Caunter says the special Rugby World Cup wine range also provides the chance to promote Melton Estate as a wine destination for visitors.

"We can offer a full wine experience yet we are so close to the city. This is an ideal venue for hosting corporate groups who are travelling as part of the Cup event," he said.

The connection with Tourism New Zealand’s Front Row Rugby Club was also considered in the marketing strategy, said Caunter.

Wines tasting notes
Tasting notes from the Front Row range describe the sauvignon blanc as a "classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc with grassy tones and fruit flavours, hints of passion fruit on the nose."

The pinot noir is "full bodied, deep red in colour with rich flavours. Fruit at first, then soft tannin and balanced acidity with a little oak."

The chardonnay was described as "ripe, unoaked chardonnay nicely balanced between fruit flavours and acidity. Hints of melons, peaches and butterscotch on the nose. Easy drinking".

The Front Row Riesling: "beautifully finished to a medium to dry style. Plenty of zesty citrus flavours to discover."

Canterbury and RWC 2011
Canterbury is one of 13 cities and towns in New Zealand that will host matches during the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

The strong rugby focussed region will host five pool matches including an opening weekend blockbuster between pool heavyweights Argentina and England.

Christchurch will also host the quarter finals between Pool A (New Zealand, France and Tonga) and Pool B (Argentina, England and Scotland).

More information:
Four million kiwis prepare to roar

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