Last night I went along to a Majestic Staff Tasting hosted by Rudi Bauer, the winemaker at Quartz Reef winery in Central Otago. Taking place at the delightful Suze’s Wine Bar in Mayfair, Rudi was the perfect host putting everybody at ease after a day’s work getting right into what makes New Zealand special and their wines great!

Rudi’s Bio

Born: Salzburg, Austria
Degrees: viticulture and winemaking in Gumpoldskirchen and Krems
Winemaker Since 1985: Mission Vineyard, Hawkes Bay; Rippon Vineyard, Central Otago; Giesen Wine Estate, Canterbury
Present: now back in Central Otago where in 1996 Rudi created Quartz Reef in Bendigo, specialising in Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Methode Traditionnelle

Wines Tasted

Methode Traditionnelle NV: flirtatious, moreish – enhanced by an invigorating cool, creamy acidity

Methode Traditionnelle Vintage 2006: creamy, delightful elegance, textural and precise

Pinot Gris 2010: dry, rich, oily style with oriental spice, ginger and grapefruit

Pinot Noir 2010: layers of vibrant fruit and bright acidity

Pinot Noir 2008: a touch smokier than the 2010 still elegantly perfumed

Bendigo Estate Pinot Noir 2008: Graceful and lovely with outstanding concentration

Live Tweets @majesticwine

Rudi likes to have birds on the vineyard [insert pictures of bird houses] #quartzreef

1st question from Majestic Staff: Is Quartz Reef a reef? Ans: yes, it’s a rocky outcrop! #quartzreef

First time Rudi is tasting the 2010 pinot in the N.Hemisphere… He’s a bit nervous #quartzreef

Favourites?

I’m a bit of a Pinot Noir fan, so I’d be happy to try any of the three Pinot Noirs again!

Unfortunately the only one of Rudi’s wines we stock at the moment is the 2010 Pinot Noir. If it’s not available online, have a word with your local store and see if they can source some for you.