It’s a wine tasting event like no other WINETOPIA presented by Singapore Airlines  – the greatest celebration of New Zealand wine.

With hundreds of New Zealand wines on show and thousands of wine fans making the pilgrimage, WINETOPIA presented by Singapore Airlines , 20-21 May at Shed 10, Auckland, is set to be the best and brightest wine event in the country, ‘where imaginations run wild, personalities come alive and all the senses will be satiated’.

WINETOPIA is created by Lemongrass Productions, the company that produces Restaurant Month in the Heart of the City, Street Eats and the Taste of Auckland Festival.

All major regions will be represented at the festival, from the rock-star brands to the cheeky boutiques, along with food matching, sommelier-led tasting classes and live music at the end of the session to round off the experience.

For the wine-buff or the wine-interested alike, this is an event not to be missed.

WINETOPIA presented by Singapore Airlines is a unique tasting format – visitors literally taste their way through wine regions of the country in one afternoon or evening, discovering exciting new varietals, food matches and intriguing personalities in the process.

Just announced is special guest and Masterclass presenter Bob Campbell (MW), one of only 322 people in the world (and the first Kiwi) to hold the Master of Wine qualification.

Campbell will be holding three fascinating Masterclass talks (Tickets $20 additional to entry fee – available online):

· Friday evening session: Sip or cellar? A comparison of youthful vs aged wines to decide when to hold it, when to fold it and when to walk away.

· Saturday afternoon session: All about Albarinho. It's hot, handsome and here. The stellar Spanish/Portuguese grape variety is New Zealand's ‘next big thing’.

· Saturday evening: The Pinot showdown. A battle of the regions to decide which deserves to be crowned ‘King of Pinot Noir’!

And visiting Australian sommelier Nick Stock is one of Australia’s most respected wine critics. He was voted Best Drinks Journalist at the 2007 Le Cordon Bleu World Food Media Awards. Stock will be presenting throughtout the event.

Nick’s Masterclass Topics Include (Tickets $20 additional to entry fee – available online):

· Friday evening session: Jumping the Shark: In search of Zealand’s Great Whites

· Saturday afternoon session: Pinot Noir: The Fun, the Sexy and the Serious Side

· Saturday evening: Money Ain’t a Thing: Winetopia’s Top 5 Wines!

Also recently announced today is that celebrated Kiwi vinyard Craggy Range will attending WINETOPIA. Matt Stafford, Chief Winemaker Craggy Range says that visitors should expect an exciting pre-release tasting of their 2014 Prestige releases (not actually released until June) and also of their new offering, the 2014 Family Collection reds.

The event is organised into three sessions: Friday 20 May 5:00PM - 8:30PM, Saturday 21 May, from 12:00PM - 3.30PM and Saturday 4.30PM - 8PM.  

Tickets are $30 (plus booking fee) – includes 5 tastings plus a wine glass and free entry to many talks and tastings. Organisers say that tickets are strictly limited and some sessions may sell out, so pre-booking is advised.

Further line-up and scheduling announcements will be made in the coming weeks. 

See winetopia.nz for more.

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