"Ian Hoare" wrote in message

> >savouriness and finesse was probably because of several factors - vine
age
> >(or lack thereof) being one; clonal choice being another.
>
> I hope that the latter is not a major factor, as it will not be remedied
> with time, probably.


Because we are not bound by any legal or other informal conventions, much
experimentation (in respect to clonal choice, site (soil, sunlight,
rainfall) etc.) continues in the search for the "holy grail" - i.e. NZ pinot
with burgundian complexities of savouriness, finesse and earthiness married
with the new world cherry/mushroom flavours.

An interesting comment from one of NZ better chardonnay makers surfaced the
other day. Church Road picked their chardonnay earlier in 2002 than they
have in previous years - accepting slightly lower sugar levels and higher
acids - their explanation being that perhaps, in the past, the grapes were
*too* ripe - producing wines which were accessible early, but over-the-hill
at 5 years - so, perhaps some growers may even consider managing the canopy,
leaving more shade over the bunches and not waiting for grapes to hit 25
brix before picking.

The downside of such experimentation is that old buggers like you and I will
never see the true results in 20 years or so.

(Kathryn sends her best wishes to you and Jacquie)

The Tour route should be published within days - so we will be giving very
serious thoughts to our proposed trip.

regards

st.h






>
> >Experienced or not, I was (still am) in total agreement in comments made
in
> >December '01.
>
> I'm gratified. What I very much hope is that if you manage to grace these
> shores during the Tour de France in '04, we can open a sample of fair
> burgundies to give you a standard of comparison.
>
> >Correct me if I am wrong, but you did indicate that you would love to
return
> >to these fair shores in 10 years or so, to check on progress as vines
> >matured.
>
> "5 or 10", yes. And god willing, "we shall return". Though in less
dramatic
> guise than those for whom it was first said.
> --
> All the Best
> Ian Hoare
>
> Sometimes oi just sits and thinks
> Sometimes oi just sits.