Whether you are 25 or 75, wine never goes out of style. So when you are offered the opportunity to sit down to an exclusive dinner that celebrates a brand as prestigious as Kim Crawford Wines, you jump at it. The company, which produces award-winning wines from New Zealand, recently released their complete Small Parcels range of wine, which we celebrated with Kim Crawford winemaker Anthony Walkenhorst and brand ambassador Matt Deller at Harlow in New York City.
The Small Parcels wine collection is comprised of five different wines, each made using small batches of exceptional grapes. The limited production of these wines makes them popular and desirable – and we can attest that you’ll want to get your hands on some bottles.
The evening’s dinner, prepared by chef Danny Ye, was inspired by each of the Small Parcels wines, which included 2009 Fizz Methode Traditionnelle, the brand’s newest sparkling wine, Spitfire Sauvignon Blanc, Rise and Shine Pinot Noir, Favourite Homestead Pinot Gris and Wild Grace Chardonnay.
The evening began with a happy hour with passed hors d’ouvres like lobster sliders, which paired well with the bubbly Fizz Methode Traditionnelle. The sparkling wine is comprised of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, harvested from the Castle Cliffs Vineyard, Brooklands and Hay Vineyards in Marlborough. It has a crisp minerality and light notes of grapefruit and peach, making it wonderful on its own for a celebration, or equally tasty when paired with seafood.
Next, we were treated to a lovely pairing dinner. First up was Hamachi Crudo with yuzu, cilantro and avocado, along with Oysters topped with sherry jardiniere. These two dishes were paired with the 2013 Spitfire Sauvignon Blanc, which was made with grapes harvested in early April from the Murphy Family Vineyard, located in the Rapaura subregion of Marlborough. Like any good white wine, this paired wonderfully with the Asian-influenced seafood that was presented at dinner. The wine had a long finish and had notes of grapefruit, along with tropical fruit aromas.
Following our starters, we were treated to a wonderful Strozzapetti, topped with king crab and spicy sea urchin sauce. This was paired with one of our favorite wines of the evening, the aptly named 2012 Favourite Homestead Pinot Gris. The wine was produced using grapes from the Favourite Vineyard in the Awatere Valley, which turned out a rich white wine with hints of honeysuckle, spiced apple crumble and pear, making for a slightly sweet, yet equally crisp wine. This was exceptionally paired with the pasta, as the wine helped to cut the spiciness of the sauce and bring out the flavors of the dish.
For the main course, we immensely enjoyed the Salmon, served with spiced corn, Asian pear, cilantro salad and miso reduction, which was paired with the 2013 Wild Grace Chardonnay. Another successful pairing, this wine is composed of harvests from two Hawke’s Bay vineyards — Corner 50 and Stathallan. This chardonnay is particularly minerally in taste, with a nutty finish and hints of citrus.
Last but certainly not least, dessert brought us to Poached Pear, served with sorbet, spices and paired with 2012 Rise and Shine Pinot Noir. Comprised of 100% Pinot Noir, this wine was harvest from Clearvue Vineyard in Central Otago. This was a unique red, with notes of spice, oak and black cherry, along with fine tannins and a long finish. The wintery spices in the poached pear blended perfectly with the wine, making for a great end to any holiday dinner.
The Small Parcels collection produces a very limited amount of cases, so make sure to get your hands on them while there’s still availability. They retail for about $35 per bottle and are meticulously crafted. The winemaker and brand ambassador displayed tremendous enthusiasm while discussing these wines and their dedication to the brand is evident in the wines themselves. “The philosophy of our Small Parcels range is to showcase the best of New Zealand wine to the world,” stated Deller. And that is has!
Twisted Talk: Are you familiar with Kim Crawford wines? Will you be trying some New Zealand wines soon? Discuss below!
