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For one week Napier gave Naples a run for its money with around 1600 extra negronis stirred across 19 venues. Hosted by Napier City Business Inc, Napier Negroni Week ran during the last week of September. Judges Gordon Russell and Amy Hopkinson-Styles, two Hawke’s Bay winemakers, had the enviable job of tasting them all throughout the week and choosing just two winners – one each in the Best Classic and Best Riff categories.
Ahuriri eatery Casa won Best Classic, which perhaps is no surprise given the owners’ Italian heritage and that it’s their second year in a row picking up an award in the competition.
In their tasting notes, the judges said they felt transported to Italy as soon as they stepped through the front door of Casa. Made with a rarely used vermouth, their classic negroni was described as “a very aromatic, light and summery negroni, very Italian and the perfect aperitif”. The judges described Casa as a place to enjoy the best of Italy – “and that includes the negronis”.
The battle for the best modern interpretation of a negroni was tight, with many creations swapping the classic bitter citrus for other interesting flavours, including coffee, marmalade and mango. Perhaps the most interesting sip on the week’s menu was a smoked salmon-infused negroni at K Kitchen and Bar in the Masonic Hotel.
It was another creative smoky twist from K Kitchen that won the Best Riff award though. Made with whisky instead of gin, the Smoky Highland Rose was served theatrically under a smoke-filled cloche. The judges said its “red terracotta amber hue, peaty, intense whisky aromas with brine, orange and vanilla notes and hints of cinnamon and liquorice,” secures first place.
In total, an estimated 1600 extra negronis flowed across the city over the week. At pizzeria Vinci’s, owner Vincent Michaelsen said it had been a very busy week with 250 negronis whipped up and cocktail sales double what they’d usually be. Other Napier bars and eateries also reported significant uplift in food and beverage sales.
Pip Thompson, general manager at Napier City Business Inc, says the energy during the week was absolutely electric.
“Seeing so many people out enjoying themselves, moving between venues and discovering new spots was such a highlight and our venues completely blew us away with their creativity,” Pip says.
“Napier Negroni Week is now firmly cemented as a signature fixture on the Hawke’s Bay calendar and we’re already looking forward to raising a glass again next year.”
