Champion Sparkling Wine
MWS 2021 Champion Sparkling Wine another Title to add to the List for Tohu
Tohu Wines’ Rewa Méthode Traditionelle Blancs de Blancs 2015 has made a habit of picking up awards, the latest being the title of Champion Sparkling Wine at the 2021 Marlborough Wine Show.
Officially known as the Vitis & Winemaking Champion Sparkling Wine trophy, the category attracted a 45% increase in entries this year, with five Gold Medals awarded.
Tohu Wines Winemaker Anna McCarty says their Rewa Méthode Traditionelle Blanc de Blancs has had a long and successful history for the company, consistently gaining recognition as an elite wine.
Named after New Zealand’s honeysuckle tree, the Rewarewa, the wine was made with celebration in mind, she says.
“In Māori, rewa means to float and to elevate, just like the bubbles in our wines, which has been crafted as a wine for celebration and occasion.”
Made with 100% Chardonnay, grapes for the wine are grown by Ben McLauchlan on his Rapaura site, Rothay Vineyard.
“We have been sourcing the grapes from there ever since we have been making the wine; Ben produces outstanding fruit year in and year out,” Anna says.
“It’s picked early in the season when the fruit is bursting with bright, fresh, citrusy flavours.”
In the winery, the fruit is gently whole bunch pressed and then fermented in tank, creating an elegant base wine with wonderful lineal purity, before secondary fermentation and extended lees aging in the bottle. The wine is made using the traditional method, and is part of the Méthode Marlborough group.
It has notes of toasted hazelnut and brioche, with a complexity that underpins its refined and crisp citrusy brightness.
“It’s a multilayered, refreshing and dry style,” Anna adds.
Award Sponsor Vitis & Winemakers’ Paul Baggio says the company is thrilled to support the Marlborough Wine Show in recognising some of the best producers not only of the region, but also of the world.
“[We] have a long and proud heritage supplying winemaking equipment in New Zealand, particularly in Marlborough,” he says.
“We would like to congratulate all entries for an outstanding show, but especially the incredible team at Tohu Wines who took out the Champion Sparkling Wine category.”
