Wine & Rugby: JDs Pinot
There's no doubt that for the next few weeks the world will be watching New Zealand and each competing nation will have their eyes on glory, hoping their team lifts the Webb Ellis Cup. New Zealand is famous for its love of rugby and quality players, but the country produces more than an impressive line-up of All Blacks, we also produce outstanding wines.
The New Zealand wine industry is creative, innovative, and brimming with interesting personalities from around the world. Many of the colourful characters in the industry are as passionate about rugby as they are about wine! Here's our next story that links the national sport with one of the nation's favourite drinks…
Neuzeal Wines Ltd, Central Otago:
1987 The year of the inaugural Rugby World Cup. On June 20 fifteen young men united together by their own comradeship and ambition proved that they were the best in the world. The only member of that team who will not witness the 2011 RWC is John Drake who tragically passed away in December 2008.
John Drake or ‘Drakey’ as he was affectionately known to his friends created his own legend with an exceptional rugby career and a distinguished service in the media related to rugby. John played rugby for Auckland Grammar, Auckland University, New Zealand University, Auckland and the Barbarians.
Drakey will be remembered as a smart man, witty, sociable, a raconteur, ever willing to spend time with friends over a glass of red wine.
As a fitting tribute to Drakey, friends produced a Central Otago Pinot Noir in 2008.This elegant Pinot Noir shows intense plum and dark cherry flavours with hints of caramel and thyme. A delicate structure on the palate carries into a sustained finish. Hand-picked on the shores of Lake Dunstan in Central Otago it is drinking well now, and has been awarded Bronze Medals at the Royal Easter Show Wine Awards in 2010 and 2011.
This fine wine can be purchased on line at www.jdspinot.co.nz Purchasers will connect to the John Drake Memorial Scholarship which has been established by the Auckland University Rugby Club to support a young promising individual who displays the potential to develop the attitude and success of John Drake. A portion of the purchase price is donated to this very worthy cause.
www.jdspinot.co.nz