Te Mata Estate headlines LIWSF with 25 years of Coleraine

Te Mata Estate, one of New Zealand's leading wine producers, will open the London International Wine and Spirits Fair seminars on Tuesday 22nd May 2007 with a tasting spanning 25 years of its flagship wine, Coleraine.

The audience for the opening seminar will be the UK based Circle of Wine Writers. The Circle expects this tasting to emulate the success of their last seminar at the LIWSF – a remarkable presentation by Marcel and Philippe Guigal of Etienne Guigal's Rhône wines, highlighted by their single vineyard Côte Rôties. Te Mata Estate's John Buck and Peter Cowley will present the Coleraine vertical tasting and have selected ten other wines to illustrate the outstanding qualities of Hawkes Bay Cabernet/Merlot.

"They don't come any bigger than this. It is the wine equivalent of a New Zealand designer being first on the catwalk at New York Fashion Week," said Te Mata Estate's Executive Chairman, John Buck.

"Coleraine is modern claret; the classic blend of Cabernet/Merlot that is acknowledged as the world's foremost wine style. So, to be singled out amongst the worlds finest, in the most important of styles, is wonderful recognition of the quality of wine from Te Mata Estate, Hawkes Bay, and New Zealand. It's also a very nice way to start Coleraine’s 25th birthday celebrations."

Established in 1896, Te Mata Estate is New Zealand's oldest winery and remains family owned, producing internationally recognised wines exclusively from its Hawkes Bay vineyards. With its 111 year history as Hawkes Bay's finest winemaker, Te Mata Estate's wine is frequently served at New Zealand state functions and, in 2006, was served to the Queen at the official celebration of her 80th birthday.

Te Mata Estate’s flagship wine, Coleraine, is New Zealand's most famous red wine. First produced in 1982, this classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc displays the concentration, complexity and elegance found in the world's finest wines. Coleraine continues to evolve in bottle for more than fifteen years from harvest.

The ten Hawkes Bay Cabernet/Merlot wines to be shown before the Coleraine vertical are all from the 2004 vintage. They are: Babich The Patriarch, Church Road Tom, Craggy Range Sophia, Hatton Estate Tahi – One, C J Pask Declaration Cabernet/Merlot/Malbec, Ngatarawa Glazebrook Merlot/Cabernet, Te Awa Boundary, Te Mata Estate Awatea, Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Cabernet/Merlot, and Villa Maria Reserve Cabernet/Merlot.

Dates: 22nd to 24th May 2007
Event website (including visitor registration): www.liwsf.com
Location: ExCeL, Victoria Dock, Docklands, London

Date: 5th March 2007