@JaneSkiltonMW

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Welcome 2 #SommChat every1! Tell your friends 2 join us to learn about #NZ #wine & @TEXSOM from Master of #Wine Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW!

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: We're about ready to dive in w/questions, so shout out to Jane to say hello & so she knows you're here! #WineWednesday #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Don't forget that EVERY tweet during this chat should include the #SommChat hashtag in order for everyone to see it!

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: As we ask Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW our Qs, U can ask UR Qs as well! She'll do her best to answer all Qs in the order they come #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Even if u dont ask 1--give a S/O 2 KeeperColl & @JaneSkiltonMW 2 let us know u R here! #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Let's start talking #NZ #wine with Master of #Wine Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW #SommChat

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: #SommChat So excited to be here - 4am in NZ ready and waiting for the questions to start rolling in!

Sassodoro @Sassodoro: Ready for #SommChat! @JaneSkiltonMW

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @Sassodoro great to see you @Sassodoro on #SommChat can't wait for your questions for @JaneSkiltonMW

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @Sassodoro Thank you joining in! #SommChat

Douglas Trapasso @demilove: KeeperColl - Hello from Job Search Central in Chicago! Unfortunately, business could be better - #SommChat - but did have i-view Tues.

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @demilove great to see you back on #SommChat look forward to your qs for @JaneSkiltonMW

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @JaneSkiltonMW when did you first become interested in #wine? #SommChat

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat when I didn't want to go to university and had to find a job quickly (go a job in a wine shop)

Charles Comm PR @CharlesComm: Q @JaneSkiltonMW What emerging trends do you see in the #NewZealand wine industry? #SommChat KeeperColl

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @CharlesComm Greater recognition of sub regions, continuing exploration of new grape varieties (albarino, vermentino) Lots still to discover! #SommChat

Sandy Wasserman CS @SandyWasserman: Good morning @JaneSkiltonMW How did you get your start in the wine business and who are your mentors? Thanks #SommChat

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @SandyWasserman #SommChat had to get a job when I left school and a wine shop opened in my town :) Mentors? Liz Berry MW - excellent teacher . . . . .

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @SandyWasserman #SommChat ..... also Jasper Morris MW - his love of Burgundy an inspiration

David Cartwright @davidc1863: Martin borough and Larry McPinot Peut Etre ?

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @davidc1863 #SommChat Obviously!

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm @JaneSkiltonMW what R some of the reasons you like working in the #wine industry? #SommChat

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat Always changing and evolving. Great regard for tradition/heritage but also embracing new ideas. Passionate engaged people

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @JaneSkiltonMW at this years @TEXSOM you’re teaching a seminar on #NZ #reds. What should attendees expect to learn? #SommChat

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat Come with an open mind - you may know about NZ pinot (it's fantastic) but also classic red blends, syrah . . .

Sandy Wasserman CS @SandyWasserman: Q @JaneSkiltonMW What wines and regions are you recently excited about? Thanks #SommChat

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @SandyWasserman All of them! Hawke's Bay Chard + Syrah = superb (judged 105 wines yesterday) Waipara is growing in reputation, Marlborough sub regioanlity #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @SandyWasserman Sandy, so glad you are back and joining in on #SommChat to help everyone learn with @JaneSkiltonMW

Sandy Wasserman CS @SandyWasserman: @KeeperColl Glad to be here :) #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: .@JaneSkiltonMW is this UR 1st time @TEXSOM & what R some of the sessions at #TexSom UR looking forward to attending? #SommChat

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat Regions I don't know that much about; Greece, Hungary, Turkey. It was so hard to make the selection - all sessions looked amazing

Charles Comm PR @CharlesComm: Q @JaneSkiltonMW What inspired you to open the #NZ School of #Wines and #Spirits? #SommChat KeeperColl

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @CharlesComm #SommChat Gained the #WSET qualifications in London, gave me such a great base of knowledge. Thought NZ wine trade/consumers would be keen

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @JaneSkiltonMW what makes #NZ red #wines unique? #SommChat

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat Many regions = full bodied, high alcohol reds. Our climate means great acid, moderate alcohol not too much oak.Perfect with food

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm do you spend all of your time in #NZ now or do you still spend time in the #wine bix in #London @JaneSkiltonMW ?

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat I'm a member of @mastersofwine Council so lucky to travel to London twice a year. But no involvement with the trade anymore

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm @JaneSkiltonMW how would you define the tasting notes (blind) 4 #NZ #pinot, #NZ #Syrah?

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat YIKES! Too hard to define maybe? Purity of fruit definitely. NZ Syrah = fragrant, cracked pepper, delicious spine of acid...

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: #SommChat .....Pinot Noir? Intensity and fragrance without too much oak or alcohol. Structure, silky tannins. Best = ability to age.

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat peep: new to #wine consumer world can U recommend some #NZ #wines to start with 4 an intro to the #wines @JaneSkiltonMW

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat NZ sauv blanc (esp Marlborough) = a must. Wlectric intensity, like no other wine. Pinot N always gd - you don't have to spend $$$

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @JaneSkiltonMW what are some of your favorite #foods to pair with #NZ red #wine? #SommChat

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat NZ salmon and pinot noir = heaven. Kiwis love bbqing - lamb and Hawkes Bay reds. Rib eye steak + syrah. Off dry pinot gris + Thai.

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm @JaneSkiltonMW why did you pursue Master of #Wine & not Master #Somm and how has it helped UR career? how long to fin?

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat MS wasn't so well known in London at that time (1990s). Also don't think I have the character for sommelier - I'm too clumsy

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat . . .took me about five years (after WSET Diploma) to complete.

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @JaneSkiltonMW how are #wine consumers in #London different than in #NZ? #SommChat

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl Greater choice of wine in London. NZers enjoy local wine but Londoners not so tied to a country/region #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @JaneSkiltonMW how did starting your career in #London lead to moving to #NZ? #SommChat

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat fell in love with a NZer! Always thought we'd stay in London but moved to Auckland 17 years ago

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm @JaneSkiltonMW have you ever made a wine if not would you like to? have you worked harvest?

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat one day in a winery during vintage - hardest work of my life. Heavy equipment, physically demanding. Can see appeal but not for me

Charles Comm PR @CharlesComm: Q @JaneSkiltonMW How has the #wine industry changed in the last 25 years since you started? #SommChat KeeperColl

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @CharlesComm welcome back to #SommChat @CharlesComm good qs keep them coming!

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @CharlesComm #SommChat Not so stuffy. Less focus on 'classics'? though they are still important part. Embracing newer regions, varieties #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat peep what part of #NZ would U rec. 4 travel 2 learn abt NZ #wines & can 1 make appts for visits & tastings @JaneSkiltonMW

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat U need more time than you think - NZ doesn't have big highway network so travel takes longer than anticipated.......

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat ... NZ wine industry v friendly and open but I'd email to make appointments at smaller producers. Winemakers have habit of .......

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat ... disappearing to go mountain biking/skiing/fishing. C Otago always excites new visitors. Martinborough for the hairy road trip

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm @JaneSkiltonMW what made you first become interested in learning about #wine? #SommChat

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat Really enjoyed working in wine and was keen to learn. Didn't have a degree and wanted to prove I could do something well . . . .

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat ....education = v enjoyable; met great people, tasted great wines. Opened my eyes to the possibility of making a career in wine

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat peep - r UR classes at UR school only 4 professionals or consumers too? how can 1 learn more about the school @JaneSkiltonMW

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat for everyone trade or consumer. My oldest student was 83 so never too old to learn.

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm @JaneSkiltonMW read U are #wine director for Le Cordon Bleu #newzealand - tell us abt that work? #SommChat

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat = lots of overseas students, emphasis on 'Paddock to Plate' learning. Martinborough an hour away so students can visit vineyards

Charles Comm PR @CharlesComm: Q @JaneSkiltonMW What is your advice for someone wanting to get into the #wine industry? #SommChat KeeperColl

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @CharlesComm #SommChat be prepared to roll up your sleeves + work hard. Start at the bottom, try to experience everything, Never refuse an opportunity...

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @CharlesComm #SommChat .. to taste or talk to others be it winemakers, viticulturists, distributors, judges. you can always learn more

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @JaneSkiltonMW have U judged #wine competitions & if so what are some of the most memorable competitions? would U like 2 do more? #SommChat

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat Judging rewarding but tough work, especially for your teeth. Like regional shows, did @LCWineShow last year which was fantastic ..

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat ... also Shanghai, Tasmania, London, Australia etc. Always lovely to be invited to judge. Rutherglen = special place in my heart..

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat ... a whole class of Fortified Muscat and Tokay. Such an amazing opportunity to judge some of the world's greatest wines.

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat I LOVE LOVE LOVE fortified wines.

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm what is the weather like in #NZ in the wine country & how does it affect the #wines? @JaneSkiltonMW

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat surrounded by ocean we are at the mercy of the weather. Two months of rain in two days last week. But very localised . . .

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat Can be snowing in Wellington but sunny in Auckland (an hour's flight away). We do get cyclones, frosts by winemakers good at . .

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat dealing with weather events. Takes a lot to rattle a NZer. Even 100mile/hour winds, frosts, rains. Droughts. You name it we get it

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat peep: Do #NZ #winemakers see a chg in the Climate & if so have they had 2 make Chgs to accomodate? If so what @JaneSkiltonMW

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat The real problem (IMO) are the extremes - heatwaves, monster rains. But its a relatively new industry so able to cope well

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @JaneSkiltonMW R there any #wine regions that U have not traveled to that are on UR wish list and if so why #SommChat

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat Ticked one off the bucket list last year (Douro). Desperate to go to Madeira + Santorini. Would love to spend more time in Sicily

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm U said that #NZ red #wines age well @JaneSkiltonMW what R some of the oldest U have tasted and what were chg fr young?

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat @TeMataEstate 1982 Coleraine looked amazing last time I tasted. NZ wine = fairly young industry so no 1945s here :) ...

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat ... Screwcaps mean potential for ageing is much more reliable than it was under cork.

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm Can U speak 2 white #wines N #NZ - have U seen chgs & what other regions do you think they most resemble @JaneSkiltonMW

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat Exciting times! S Blanc still retains amazing sense of place. Chardonnays have ageability and complexity and the best will age...

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat ...winemakers always passionate about riesling. Albarino looks like being a winner. I'd say they look like NZ first and foremost

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm R most of the #wines harvested by ppl fr the area of #NZ @JaneSkiltonMW if not where do the workers come from?

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat Some travel from overseas (apparently wineries can receives 100s of applications for vintage work). Vineyard crews from Vanuatu...

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat ... Fiji, Thailand.

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat peep: do U see the #NZ #wines still as a value or are the prices rising like in other regions @JaneSkiltonMW

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat Prices at the top end have increased as demand for these wines grows. But still think value : quality is outstanding.

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @JaneSkiltonMW what do you like to drink when not drinking #wine? #SommChat

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat English Breakfast tea. Strong (plenty of tannin) with skimmed milk. Best drink in the world

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Pls thank @JaneSkiltonMW 4 getting up at 3 am #NZ time to share her #wine wisdom with you on #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: It was great to have Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW join us today for #SommChat. We hope everyone learned as much as we did!

Sassodoro @Sassodoro: @KeeperColl @JaneSkiltonMW Thanks for a great #SommChat !

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @Sassodoro agree, it was a great #SommChat with @JaneSkiltonMW we know she will be a great session leader @TEXSOM on #NZ Red #wines

Jane Skilton @JaneSkiltonMW: @KeeperColl #SommChat It was my absolute pleasure + thanks for questions. Really looking forward to coming to @TEXSOM My 1st visit to Texas, Cannot wait