Any excuse to party, our friends at South Food + Wine Bar in concert with the fabulous Jug Shop rolled out 50 different selections of New Zealand new releases. Armed with my own rules for how NOT to be a drunk ho and my drinking buddies, Thea, Lil and Anne Z, I worked my way through as many selections as time and temperance allowed. Delicious! Here are some highlights:'07 Te Awa Chardonnay "Left Field" Delightful unoaked chardonnay. Fresh and silky and food friendly. Good book club wine! 
'07 Waipara Springs Pinot Noir "Premo Reserve" Interesting nose, which under promised ---with a musty, funky cinnamony scent--- then, over delivered with tart, fruity flavors underpinned with subtle spice. Delicious!
Waipara Springs deliciousness---------------------->'07 Dashwood Pinot Noir: Pretty nose, lovely color. Tart, fruit fresh flavors and at $14.99 an exceptional buy.
'06 WildEarth Pinot Noir: Forest floor pinot! Yum!
'06 Craggy Range Red Blend "Te Kahu": Gamy overtones to the nose that blew off to delicious licoricy, red fruit, aromas. Taste was elegant, yet solid with earthy deliciousness.
'07 Mount Difficulty Pinot Noir: Lovely nose with riffs on Santa Lucia Highland characteristics of plums, red fruit and a more specific spice which Thea identified as fresh nutmeg. Balanced acidity. Nice color.
This listlet only scratches the surface of all the delights we sampled. Rieslings and Sauvvy blancs and Ice Wine! Oh My! So many different flavors and types it really made me want to try more and more New Zealand offerings. I closed my tasting with a beautifully paired '06 Selaks Ice Wine and exceptional Roaring '40's blue cheese. Delectable!
Many thanks to both South Food + Wine bar and to our favorite San Francisco wine retailer, The Jug Shop (Paige and Chuck are the bestest!), for the best Waitangi Day ever!
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