Graham ‘The Nose’ Norton is about to release his fifth vintage and new Prosecco with Kiwi producers Invivo Wines – continuing to take a hands on approach to winemaking that goes way beyond the traditional celebrity endorsement.
During his annual blending session at London’s Sanderson Hotel last month, Norton again wowed Invivo co-founder Tim Lightbourne and winemaker Rob Cameron with his knowledge of the New Zealand wine making scene.
Before blending another “very drinkable” Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé, Norton declared 2018’s vintage to be “excellent”.
“A nice warm spring and excellent flowering, plenty of rain when we needed it and lots of sunshine. All in all, a warm vintage with lots of tropical flavours. I’m seeing it as similar to 2014, possibly even the great 2011,” he told the Invivo crew.
“Graham is getting annoyingly good at this winemaking business,” Cameron says of this year’s blending efforts.
“After five years collaborating with us, Graham has really nailed his own winemaking style. He’s blended some very easy-to-drink, appealing and award winning wines and is incredibly hands on. This isn’t just another celebrity deal where Graham puts his name to the brand – he genuinely works with us to produce wines that reflect his taste.”
With a Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé and Shiraz already established under the Graham Norton brand, the famous wine enthusiast has set his sights on the booming sparkling category, adding his first Prosecco to the mix.
“This is the most sparkling Italian you’ll ever share an evening with,” Cameron says of Norton’s newest tipple.
For this new venture, Invivo partnered with Italian growers in Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia in Northern Italy, the home of Prosecco. They tried eight different styles, with Norton going for a drier blend.
“It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it,” Cameron says of the Prosecco tastings
He adds that the Graham Norton Prosecco produced from that visit to Italy has already had some amazing reviews after launching in the UK and Ireland.
“It’s been recognised in major newspapers in Graham’s homeland of Ireland and has already won silver at the 2018 Global Sparkling Masters[i],” he says.
Both Lightbourne and Cameron are confident Kiwis will be big fans of the Prosecco when it hits the shelves in August.
A fresh, light wine with fine bubbles and a beautifully crisp finish, it’s promising to be the perfect drop for the upcoming summer months. In the UK, one in four households now drink Prosecco, and only one in ten drink Champagne[ii].
“We see an enormous opportunity here,” says Lightbourne. “The Prosecco category grew a huge 66% in the last 12 months in New Zealand![iii]”
Norton’s partnership with the Southern Hemisphere’s largest crowdfunded company has gone from strength to strength since he personally stomped his own Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc on the set of his TV show several years ago.
With just 14,000 bottles of the Graham Norton range produced in 2014, this year’s vintage will top 3 million bottles. with growing demand coming from NZ, Australia, the UK and Ireland, the US, Norway, Denmark, Hong Kong and Japan.
Graham Norton’s Own Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 12.5%
Region: Marlborough
Winemaker: Graham Norton and (in small part) Rob Cameron
Tasting note: He’s done it again! A classic Marlborough Sauvignon, herbal and ripe capsicum coupled with notes of melon and sweet passionfruit.
RRP: NZ $18.99
Stockists: Countdown, New World, Pak N Save, Liquor King, Glengarry, Liquorland and other good liquor outlets nationwide
Graham Norton’s Own “Pink by DesiGN” Rosé 2018
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 12.5%
Region: Hawkes Bay, Gisborne, Marlborough
Winemaker: Graham Norton and (in small part) Rob Cameron
Tasting note: A crowd pleaser. Dry, perfectly subtle in colour and fresh with New Zealand fruity essence. Thinks of it as a blend of all the famous wine personalities, just like the perfect blend of actors, comedians and artists that bring a great night on the couch.
RRP: NZ $18.99
Stockists: Countdown, New World, Pak N Save, Liquor King, Glengarry, Liquorland and other good liquor outlets nationwide
Graham Norton’s Own Prosecco Doc Extra Dry
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 11.2%
Region: Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia, 100% Glera
Winemaker: Graham Norton and (in small part) Rob Cameron
RRP: NZ $19.99
Stockists: New World, Pak N Save, Liquor King and other good liquor outlets nationwide
Graham Norton’s Own Shiraz 2016
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 14%
Region: South Australia
Winemaker: Graham Norton
Tasting notes: Graham says: “A bold, juicy wine full of character…just like its winemaker. Me.”
RRP: NZ $18.99
Stockists: New World, Pak N Save, Liquor King, Glengarry, Liquorland and other good liquor outlets nationwide
Twitter: @invivowines
Instagram: InvivoWines
[i] The 2018 Global Sparkling Masters is a global competition that aims to recognise the very best wines in this rapidly developing category.
[ii] Nielsen Homescan, Total Multiples (incl. M&S) Data to WE 22.04.17 vs. YA
[iii] Nielsen MAT 52 weeks 15/7/2018 Total Sparkling Market
