Accolades for Tohu Wines in Prestigious Awards
The world’s first Māori-owned wine label, TOHU wines, has taken out honours at two prestigious wine awards.
TOHU Rewa Méthode Traditionnelle Blanc de Blancs was awarded the NZ Wine Centre Legacy Award, sponsored by Marlborough Research Centre, at the Marlborough Wine Show.
Meanwhile TOHU Whenua Awa Riesling 2019 has taken out Trophy honours in Class 2 – Riesling at the 2023 Global Fine Wine Challenge, announced on 4 December.
The significant awards reflected the deeply held values of Kono NZ, the family-owned Māori food and beverage producer that develops Tohu wines, said Chief Executive Officer of Wakatū Incorporation, Kerensa Johnston.
“We are incredibly proud of our products. We strive for them to be a true symbol of Māori excellence, and we care deeply about the lands from which they are sourced.
“The Tohu winemaking philosophy is to create wines that capture the essence of each region’s unique environment, while upholding respect and protection of the land for future generations. These awards are significant in that they demonstrate quality over many years. They reflect our relationships with the whenua and the people behind it, and the values that we place on whanaungatanga (together we are more) and rangatiratanga (excellence in all that we do).”
Legacy award for TOHU Rewa Méthode Traditionnelle Blanc de Blancs
The Legacy Award honours wines with pedigree and is awarded to the wine producer with the highest scores from three vintages within a ten-year period.
This year the Legacy Award was judged by British wine writer Oz Clarke.
TOHU winemaker of 15 years, Bruce Taylor, developed the brand’s first sparkling wine in 2009. He submitted the 2011, 2014 and 2016 vintages to take out the trophy award, and said the process of growing and making the award-winning sparkling wine was a special one, from the moment the grapes were picked at the Rothay vineyard in the Rapaura area of Wairau Valley.
“It’s a very different approach, from picking to ageing and tirage decisions. It’s a challenge every year. The three vintages we selected to enter this Legacy award were picked on their individual characteristics. Ironically, they weren’t the greatest Marlborough still wine vintages, but were good for sparkling, and really let Rewa show. Ultimately this award recognises a long programme of good wine.”
He said the quality of Rewa was down to two factors – the region of Marlborough is favourable for growing sparkling; and the quality of the partnership, over many years, with the team at Rothay vineyard.
“Our grapes have come from a single vineyard since 2009. The vines are nice and old, we work with the same vineyard manager, the growers of the grapes know what they’re doing and we work really closely with them to get the grapes from the vineyard into the bottle.”
Trophy honours for TOHU Whenua Awa Single Vineyard Riesling 2019
The Global Fine Wine Challenge is one of the most exclusive wine shows in the world and is accessible by invitation only, with only the top 120 wines from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA selected to compete.
The TOHU trophy-winning Riesling comes from the Whenua Awa (land by the river) vineyard in the Upper Awatere Valley, Marlborough, planted in 2002. The grapes are grown in the Puketapu block, meaning ‘sacred hill’. The block overlooks the Awatere River, sheltered from the harsh winds while reaping the full benefits of the sunshine hours.
Judges comments included:
• Lifted honey fragrance, very aromatic, palate dry and less fruity than expected. Reserved and slow-aging. Still very youthful. VG balance. Proper dry finish. - 96 points, Huon Hooke
• A super tight, complex palate with a strong core of lemon and faint smoky/nutty nuances. Hints of lemon butter. I love its tightness, flavour concentration, length and flow. - 96 points, Toni Paterson MW
• Smartly made, fresh complex, bright acidity, spicy mid-palate and fresh long finish, plenty of mouthwatering acidity, nicely done. I want more! - 91 points, Anthony Mueller
• Still beautifully vibrant and fresh though some appealing tertiary notes just starting to appear. Bright and succulent. Lovely delicate grip on the palate. - 95 points, Jane Skilton MW
