Sparkling with style
Louise Johnson
Limited edition Deutz piccolos with labels created by three well known Australasian female designers [©Liquid Ideas]
Premium sparkling wine matches perfectly with good design, high fashion and style. It makes sense that the maker of New Zealand's premium methode traditionnelle would be female.
Deutz is one of the premium sponsors of design and fashion in New Zealand, supporting the annual Design Ambassador Awards which is considered one of the most prestigious breakthrough fashion shows in the world. It also supports local fashion designers, including Kate Sylvester, Cybele and Yvonne Bennetti. These three designers recently created labels for a limited edition range of Deutz piccolos.
Winemaker Julia O'Connell says mixing wine, fashion and design is a fun way to drink the Deutz Marlborough Cuvee. "They look great," she says.
Julia grew up in horse and wine country in the central north island and started learning about wine from an early age. Her father has owned the Cambridge Wine and Spirits store for many years and Julia was expected to help out in the business from a young age. “I remember having to wash the sherry bottles out the back of the shop when I was 10. New Zealanders used to drink a lot of sherry in those days,” she laughs.
With an aptitude for science, Julia studied chemical and materials engineering at university before travelling and falling into a winemaker trainee position at the Montana Brancott Winery in Blenheim in 1994. Since 2002 she has focused on crafting Deutz Marlborough Cuvée, Triplebank, Montana Terroir Series Forgotten Valley Pinot Noir, Montana Terroir Series Rail Bridge Sauvignon Blanc, Montana Classic Sauvignon Blanc, Five Flax and Timara wines.
How did you get into winemaking?
I was studying for a Masters in Chemical Engineering and I spotted a job ad for a trainee winemaker. My parents owned a wine shop and as a student I’d had various part-time jobs working in wine retail, so I always had had a love of wine.
First job in the industry?
Trainee winemaker for Montana Wines in Marlborough, 1994.
What do you love most about the role you’re in now?
The autonomy to develop and evolve wine styles as well as being responsible for the Deutz range of wines.
What are some of the challenges in making sparkling wines?
During the blending process, understanding what a blend is going to taste like in two or even five years time, after secondary fermentation, aging and disgorging.
How has the 2008 vintage for Montana shaped up in terms of quality?
A very, very good vintage for Deutz, it may even be an exceptional one, but I will probably reserve my final judgement for two to three years time when the wine is released! The summer was warm but not too warm and the Deutz harvest started in the second week of March, which seems to give an optimal ripening time and produces concentrated flavours.
Which are you most excited about in your current release?
The Deutz Blanc de Blancs 2005 is probably the best Blanc de Blanc since 1990 (which was the first release). It is still a bit fresh and youthful at the moment but in time (another year aging) I am sure it will become a great wine!
What’s the best wine you’ve ever made?
The Deutz Blanc de Blancs 2005, as well as the Triplebank Pinot Noir 2005. This Pinot Noir (from the Awatere Valley) was very low cropping and had very concentrated flavours and colour.
Julia's favourites:
Eating
- The Brancott Visitor Centre restaurant. This is a great spot for lunch or coffee as it has a great chef, a wonderful outdoor area, as well as a playground for my children!
- Gibbs restaurant in Jacksons Rd, Rapaura. This is a great evening restaurant with very good food and is set amongst the vineyards.
- Le Cafe in Picton. It is on the waterfront in Picton, so the view is stunning and it does a very good brunch.
Drinking
- Can I be cheeky and say the three Deutz wines? They are all fantastic! (Deutz Marlborough Cuvée NV, Blanc de Blanc 2005, and Rosé)
- I also love Saint Clair. They make very good Sauvignon Blanc.
- Clayridge make two very good Pinots Noir.
One perfect day
- It would have to be a minimum of 2 days! The first day would be a cruise on the Marlborough Sounds, either Queen Charlotte Sound (from Picton) or Keneperu Sound from Havelock.
- Or for the more athletic, a walk on the Queen Charlotte track, which could be just a day walk or the whole track takes four days and there are some great lodges to stay at on the way. No camping required!
- The next day would be a wine trail visiting the many cellar doors (and winery cafes/restaurants) in Marlborough. It would be difficult to choose just a few, so you may need a few days!
- Finally, a visit to the Marlborough Farmers Market (on Sunday mornings), to taste some of the locally grown foods. I know I have described many days, but it was too hard to choose just one, the Marlborough is such a beautiful region!
Regions
- Marlborough (NZ)
- NZ South Island (NZ)
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