Peacock Sky, a relatively recent inclusion in the burgeoning list of Waiheke Island vintners, are making a bold claim: they believe that their Rosé Methode Traditionelle is the only 100% Waiheke-fruit-only bottle fermented sparkling on the market right now, reason enough to proclaim its prowess.
With Methode usually being drawn from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay fruit, and Pinot not being much of a contender on The Island, it’s interesting to note that the red grape component of Connie and Rob’s little wonder is the Island’s hero variety, Cabernet Sauvignon. The thick skins of that variety are certainly going to deliver some good, deep salmon colour to the proceedings. Or, at least, the vino.
Dry-styled and ideal for the festive season, being a good partner to a range of food styles but on equally sure footing when drunk on its own, this is a cool and local addition to a market that groans with pretenders.
If you want to try before you buy (scaredy cat!) the Peacocks are doing bubbles tastings at the wine's official launch. Accompanied by salmon and caviar blini (yoghurt and strawberry blini for the vegetarians) for a mere $3 these sound to be a pretty pairing. However, if your Russian is failing you, the munificent Mr. Meredith will be distributing complimentary fresh oysters from Waiheke's Te Matuku Bay as an additional food pairing treat.
Get out! you say. No! Get in! Be there, at their Waiheke winery, on Saturday, December 10th from 11am to 4pm.
Deets from the winery, guaranteed frivolity by the sound of it. Be a good sport and buy a bottle or two to take home on the ferry…and see if you can’t get them into the fridge with the cork and the cage still intact. There’s a challenge…