NZ wine wins plaudits from international expert

A leading Polish wine writer has given Hawkes Bay wines a big thumbs up.

Andrzej Daszkiewicz, who writes for Poland's leading wine magazine, was in Hawkes Bay last week as part of a two-week tour of New Zealand winegrowing regions and said he was especially taken with Hawkes Bay wines.

"I think there is much potential, especially with chardonnay, syrah and some of the merlot blends," Mr Daszkiewicz said after he had been to a regional wine tasting by Hawkes Bay Winegrowers.

He also visited the Craggy Range Winery, Elephant Hill and the CJ Pask Winery where he met winemakers and toured vineyards and winery facilities. He had been "introduced" to New Zealand wines at an international tasting in London about two years ago.

"We thought then that New Zealand was the most important 'new world' wine country and we have been working on getting here since then.

"The quality and style of Hawkes Bay wine is more in line with the classical European style that is preferred in my country," he said.

"While the price is more expensive than other new world wines, in terms of quality it will compete."

Hawkes Bay Winegrowers executive officer Lyn Bevin said Mr Daszkiewicz's comments added to a growing list of international praise for the high quality of the region's wines.

She said Hawkes Bay was firmly on the list of "where to go" in terms of quality wines.

- NZPA