Young Kiwi wine expert, Connal Finlay DWS, has created New Zealand’s first ever global-wine focused tasting event – The World of Wine Festival – to be held in Auckland this May.
Finlay, who in 2017 was recognised as the youngest graduate of the WSET Diploma of Wine, says he created the event to highlight all the main wine-producing nations on the planet, especially given that Auckland, and New Zealand as a whole, is one of the most diverse cities in the world.
“I have teamed up with the leading wine importers from around the country to ensure that The World of Wine Festival will be a celebration of all things global in the wine world, allowing us to offer over 140 wines from over 14 countries,” says Finlay. Many of the wines will be exhibited by the importers but a few of the winemakers are flying over especially for the event.
Tickets to the festival provide entry into the Tasting Hall for unlimited tastes of all wines on show, with a free Riedel wine glass. The wine bar will be showcasing rare or limited-quantity wines by the glass. Food for the event will be designed by Judge Bao and Pasta e Cuore. Given Finlay’s background in wine education, it was important to him to have a range of specialised Master Classes available for consumers to delve into new and exciting grapes and wine regions. He has organised leading wine experts and winemakers from around the world, including our own Cameron Douglas MS, to host these classes which will cover themes such as: ‘New York Wines’ and ‘Georgia: The Birthplace of Wine’.
The World of Wine Festival will be held on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th of May 2018 at AUT’s City Campus main foyer. For more information, visit www.theworldofwinefestival.nz.
