No.1 News and Updates

We’re delighted to announce that our run of Gold Medals continued this week, as No.1 Reserve was awarded a Gold Medal in the 2017 Air New Zealand Wine Awards.

The Air New Zealand Wine Awards is the premier wine competition in New Zealand recognising excellence in winemaking, and in 2017 over 1300 wines were judged by a team of local and international judges.

This prestigious medal for No.1 Reserve, follows two other recent Gold Medals:

• No 1 Rosé was recently awarded a gold medal in the The Six Nations Wine Challenge.
• No. 1 Family Estate Cuvée Virginie 2009 was awarded a Gold Medal at the Romeo Bragato Wine Awards.
   

Each year, a limited amount of No. 1 is set aside for long-term aging on lees and released after several years as a “Reserve”.

No. 1 is 100% chardonnay (blanc de blancs), a style for which our winemaker has consistently been awarded gold medals and trophies during his career.

This release from the family’s winery was held on lees for five and a half years allowing full autolysis displaying a consistent superfine bead, and firm mousse resulting in a typical, complex, champagne-like character, and giving it the title of “Reserve”. The palate is intensely flavoured and focused with the good fruit-yeast balance providing elegance and style. The extended lees aging has given it extra richness with complex biscuity notes, a well-balanced delicate freshness and a lengthy finish.

At No.1 Family Estate we’re delighted to have Virginie Le Brun back on NZ soil as our Auckland Area Sales and Marketing Manager.

What could be more appropriate to welcome Virginie back than a gold medal? And that’s exactly what No 1 Family Estate Cuvée Virginie 2009 was awarded at the Romeo Bragato Wine Awards very recently. With over 500 entries, just 49 gold medals for excellent quality wines (scoring 18.5 out of 20) were awarded.

It’s no secret that this wine was originally crafted especially by Daniel as a proud tribute to Virginie on her 21st birthday, and Virginie remembers that this also coincided with her first attempt at sabrage, (opening a bottle of wine with a sword), although comfortable with this show-stopper now, Virginie is the first to admit she was nervous at the time.

Virginie last poured a glass of her namesake wine, on the day she returned from the U.K. She and her partner arrived in Auckland at 5am on Father’s Day. Jet-lagged, they decided to catch a 9 a.m. flight to Marlborough to surprise Daniel for Father's Day. They were secretly picked up from the airport by Remy and dropped off near the family house, they knocked on the front door and surprised Daniel and Adele. To celebrate, a bottle of Virginie was opened!

Virginie will tell you the perfect way to enjoy her wine is on its own, enjoying the developing flavours as a glass naturally loses its chill. Pressed for a food match, Virginie says oysters are the way to go.

We asked Virginie what makes her namesake wine a winner, and this is what she said….

“In a word, balance. The time on lees makes for a fresh yet complex aroma and elegant flavours of stone fruits, and citrus. The finish is crisp and the length of finish, to me, is perfect.”

Virginie continues by saying that the current release is a stand out, hence its gold medal. “Each vintage wine has a curve, from being young through to being past its best. In my mind, the current Virginie it at the top of its particular curve; having said that, it will sit up here for a few years to come.”

When asked to answer in no more than six words to explain why you should invest in a bottle of Cuvée Virginie today, Virginie says simply… “Balance, elegance, lengthy finish, Bragato Gold.” Buy yours HERE.

No.1 Rosé may look beautifully frivolous with its delicate salmon-pink colour and mass of tiny bubbles. But beneath its playful exterior lies a dry, fresh and elegant wine, that leaves a lasting impression of opulence and splendour.

Spring is here! And as we start to come out of hibernation and our social calendars heat up again we thought we’d share three reasons why you should be drinking and sharing No.1 Rosé this October.

It’s good for the waistline - No.1 Rosé was recently awarded Best Rosé, by Glass of Bubbly magazine, in their quest to find the perfect low-calorie bubbly!

It’s quite at home as the star of the show – Your No.1 Rosé should never be considered as simply an aperitif. We’re the first to agree a chilled glass of bubbles is the perfect way to welcome your guests; but No.1 Rosé, just like our other Methode Traditionelle wines, is a food-pairing champion. Delicious with duck and lamb, it makes a perfect accompaniment for your main course when entertaining.

You’ll be doing your bit – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and as ever, we’ll be supporting a local charity very close to our hearts, The Nelson Regional Breast and Gynaecological Cancer Trust. We’ll be donating 10% of all online and cellar door sales of No.1 Rosé to the NRBGCT, so we can help them carry on with the marvellous work they do throughout the region.

Buy Yours HERE!

Spring may have sprung but you can still hit the slopes in beautiful Queenstown! In fact, as the Queenstown NZ website says… Longer warmer days mean you can head up the mountain a bit later, and spend the afternoon skiing until last chair.

With all that exercise, we have no doubt that you’ll work up quite an appetite and we want to share one of our favourite Queenstown haunts for you to refuel after a day on the ski field… Ivy & Lola’s – Kitchen & Bar.

You’ll find Ivy & Lola’s close to Lake Wakatipu, in the Steamer Wharf building. Take an outside seat for a remarkable view of the Remarkables.

This thriving hub of hospitality serves up the sort of hearty food required to refill your energy reserves after a full-on day of fun! Like all of our favourite establishments the kitchen places great emphasis on seasonal ingredients and locally-sourced produce. Expect to sample a medley of fine New Zealand fare, from Green-lipped mussels to Cecil Peak Station’s renowned lamb.

If you’ve worked up a thirst, add some fizz to your footsteps on your way back to your hotel, you can enjoy a glass of No.1 Family Estate NV Brut Assemblé with a light bite from the afternoon menu at Ivy & Lola’s… Discover it HERE.

Occasionally, we all have disagreements with our loved ones. It might be a squabble with a sibling, a set to with your partner, a blowup with your bestie or quarrel with your parents; whatever controversy has spurred the spat, sometimes it’s important not to hold a grudge but just to kiss and make up instead. In fact, it’s so important to forgive and move on, there’s a whole day dedicated to it. 25th August is officially kiss and make up day!

At No.1 Family Estate we believe that’s a day worth celebrating! So, we thought we’d share our three favourite ways to build bridges and heal hearts.

Sorry shouldn’t be the hardest word -  Sometimes all it takes to mend the matter is that one simple word. As American author H. Jackson Brown, Jr. once said, “Never forget the nine most important words of any family- I love you. You are beautiful. Please forgive me.”

A hug heals – Who doesn’t enjoy the warm fuzzies that a big bear hug brings? A wise person once said… “A hug is like a boomerang - you get it back right away.”

A perfect peace offering – Reaching out with a gift of good grace is often a way to mend differences. We’d suggest a gift you can enjoy together… A bottle of bubbles is a great way to toast to renewed friendship… Then kiss and make up!

Buy yours HERE.

Father’s Day is just around the corner, (Sunday 3rd September), but forget socks this year, we’ve got a gift that your Dad will really savour… And if you’re lucky he might just share!

The Gentleman’s Case has been newly released for Father’s Day. This Limited-Edition mixed case has two bottles each of No. 1 Cuvée, No. 1 Reserve and 70 Calibre.

• No. 1 Cuvée is not only the first wine produced by No. 1 Family Estate, it’s also one of New Zealands most highly regarded Methode Traditionelle wines.
• Each year, a limited amount of No. 1 is set aside for long-term aging on lees and released after several years as a “Reserve”. This release from the family’s winery was held on lees for five and a half years allowing full autolysis displaying a consistent superfine bead, and firm mousse resulting in a typical, complex, champagne-like character, and giving it the title of “Reserve”. The palate is intensely flavoured and focused with the good fruit-yeast balance providing elegance and style. The extended lees aging has given it extra richness with complex biscuity notes, a well-balanced delicate freshness and a lengthy finish.
• 70 Caliber is a wine to celebrate our founder and winemaker Daniel Le Brun on the occasion of his 70th birthday and 35th year pioneering Methode Traditionelle in Marlborough.

This mixed case is available exclusively through our cellar door and online store.

Plus, we have a little extra gift that you could win when you order The Gentleman’s Case. Any purchases made between now and the end of August will go into a draw to win a special No.1 Family Estate bubbles bundle… A No.1 Family Estate branded ice bucket, stopper, pair of glasses and paper napkins!

Order your Limited-Edition Gentleman’s Case HERE.

At No.1 Family Estate we love a good movie, and you will often find some of the team here, heading off to the Top Town Cinema in Blenheim. But in the depths of winter we can’t always bring ourselves to tear ourselves away from the comfort of the sofa and a roaring fire, so we’ll indulge in a movie night at home.

If you’d like to join us, here’s how to hold your own No.1 movie night…

• Casablanca paired with a bottle of No. 1 Cuvée. A classic movie deserves a classic wine, and No. 1 Cuvée is not only the first wine produced by No. 1 Family Estate, it’s also one of New Zealands most highly regarded Methode Traditionelle wines.
• Breakfast at Tiffany’s paired with a bottle of No 1 Rosé. Whilst it’s true that Breakfast at Tiffany’s is another classic movie, it was also a trail blazing chick flick! No.1 Rose is dry, yet fresh and elegant, leaving a lasting impression of opulence and splendour. Much like Audrey’s style and grace as a film and fashion icon.
• The Philadelphia Story paired with a bottle of No.1 Reserve. Another classic, this 1940 movie was remade in 1956 as High Society. Each year, a limited amount of No. 1 is set aside for long-term aging on lees and released after several years as a “Reserve”, so you could also call it a remake of a classic in its own right!
• Lost in Translation paired with No. 1 Assemblé. You could categorise this iconic Sofia Coppola movie as a romantic comedy, but it’s way deeper than your average romcom and was ahead of its time in terms of cinematography and nuanced storytelling, that’s why it’s a perfect match for No. 1 Assemblé often characterized for its sophistication and intense flavours.
• True Grit paired with 70 Calibre. Yep, we know we’re suckers for classic movies, but this western is also a front-runner in the action movie genre, so it seems an appropriate match for Daniel’s pioneering spirit and the wine that was made to celebrate his 70th birthday. 

So now all you need to do is download your movie and find your wine… Buy yours HERE. Happy viewing!

This month Virginie was delighted to represent No.1 Family estate at a Tri-Nations dinner held at Michelin starred U.K. restaurant, The Harrow at Little Bedwyn.

Roger Jones, Australian wine expert and owner of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn, launched the Tri Nations Wine Challenges as a concept to highlight the quality of premium wines from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, matched with Michelin star food.

At this month's dinner, in a battle of great sparkling wines, Cuvée Virginie (09) went head-to-head with an Arras Grand Vintage (08) from Tasmania. Both were paired with Ceviche of Sea Bass and Sea Bream, with Thai Flavours and Yuzu. We're thrilled to say that Cuvée Virginie was the winner of its round at the dinner.

The excitement of a tri-nations dinner made us think about other ways to bring three nations together in a wonderful food and wine experience.

The U.K., France and New Zealand – A match made in heaven…

As summer is in full swing in the U.K. we want you to enjoy our French heritage and our New Zealand home… Here are three ways to enjoy No.1 wines in the U.K. this summer.

Picnic in the park – Whether it’s an organized event or casual weekend get together, a picnic in the park is quintessentially British. Pack traditional favourites like Scotch Eggs, sharp cheddar cheese and hand carved ham. Add a bottle of No. 1 Assemblé, you’ll find it fresh and inviting with sophisticated and typical characters and intense flavours.

Fish & Chips – There’s nothing better on a warm evening than a stroll along the coastline, followed by fish and chips fresh from the wrapping. Sit on the beach, enjoy the view and to add a little elegance to the evening, enjoy a bottle of No. 1 Cuvée, one of New Zealand's most highly regarded Méthode Traditionelle wines.

A long lunch – Long summer weekends are perfect for sharing time with friends and family, so why not host a long lunch, and serve bubbles with every course?
To Start: Gravadlax of Salmon served with No.1 Assemblé
Main Course: Confit duck with red cabbage and chestnuts. Add a salad of endive, pear, blue cheese and toasted pecans, serve with No.1 Rosé
To Finish: Lemon Posset served with No.1 Cuveé
Bon appétit!

Order your wines from  Amathus in the U.K. and start your tri-nations summer!

Everybody knows that Wellington is fabulous on a summer’s day, and just for the record, we think it’s pretty spectacular in the winter too! But if you don’t have a mind to brave windy Wellington we’ve come up with four ways to spend a perfect midwinter's day in the capital while staying safely inside!

• Shop ‘til you drop – As the Absolutely Positively Wellington website says “From boutiques stocking local and international designers, to quirky gift stores, Wellington is a treasure trove of beautiful things. Street markets, antique, vintage and second-hand stores hold one-of-a-kind creations to uncover."
• Learn more - Visit Te Papa, New Zealand's national museum, renowned for being bicultural, scholarly, innovative, and fun. If you’re a rugby fan then a must see exhibition is “Rugby Legends: The Spirit of the Black Jersey” on now until 15th October 2017.
• Take a late lunch – We love Ortega Fish Shack Bar (open from 5:30 p.m.), where you can enjoy a glass of No.1 Rosé served alongside wonderful food and fabulous service. Or Noble Rot (open from 4:00 p.m.) for delicious Oysters!
• Head to Winetopia - The Greatest Celebration of New Zealand Wine is in Wellington on 14th and 15th July 2017 at Shed 6. You’ll find Remy there, showcasing No.1 Family Estate wines and he’d love to see you! Find out more HERE.

For those of you in London or the UK, we want to tell you about two simply sparkling events coming up where you’ll be able to enjoy a taste (or two) of No.1 Family Estate Wines.

Head along to either and catch up with Virginie Le Brun, who will be there representing our family.

7th June - Three Wine Men – Let’s Get Fizzical - East Wintergarden, Canary Wharf

What’s tasting?

• No. 1 Assemblé  - Fresh and inviting with sophisticated and typical characters and intense flavours.
• No. 1 Cuvée  - One of New Zealand's most highly regarded Méthode Traditionelle wines.
• No. 1 Rosé - Dry, yet fresh and elegant, this wine leaves a lasting impression of opulence and splendour. Recently awarded Best Rosé, by Glass of Bubbly magazine, in their quest to find the perfect low calorie bubbly!
• Cuvée Virginie - A vintage Méthode Traditionelle, and Virginie’s namesake, created to honour her 21st birthday.

Plus Virginie will be co-hosting a Fizziology 2017 Masterclass

Find out more on the event website.

8th June – Decanter – The Great Sparkling Exploration - Great Smith Street Westminster

What’s tasting?

All of the above wines, PLUS…

• No. 1 Reserve - Intensely flavoured and focused with a good fruit-yeast balance providing elegance and style.

And drum roll please…

• A pre-release of the 2013 Cuvée Adele - A limited edition vintage cuvée crafted especially by Daniel as a proud tribute to his wife Adele.

Find out more on the Decanter website.

Both events are open to trade and the general public, but note that the consumer tasting at the Decanter event begins at 17:30.