Author: EvelynD

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Looking Ahead

Mid-year dinner

July is your Club’s mid-year dinner. This July it is to be held at Le Bouillon Bel Air Restaurant in Tory Street, Wellington CBD.

  • The event cost is $85 per person, and there will be Club bubbles on arrival at the restaurant as usual.
  • You are encouraged to bring your partner – even if they are not a Club member, they are more than welcome to come along to both your club’s meals.
  • This July’s meal is a good time to get out those French wines that you have in your wine cellars to share with friends at the meal.
  • We don’t have the menu at this stage, as the restaurant changes its menus every two months, so you get variety and season’s pickings all through the year. We won’t know the menu until it comes out on 23rd June, but please look at the present menu for a sample of what they offer to patrons.
  • There will be a notice sent out separately that will detail the new menu and payment details. This will require a response by July 4th.

Please read an article featured in Cuisine magazine: Le Bouillon Bel Air – Cuisine Magazine – From New Zealand to the World: “Princely dining for Paupers – Entering Le Bouillon Bel Air one finds oneself set down in a fancy Parisian restaurant, circa 1895. A bow-tied, black-waistcoated waiter leads you past mirrors decorated in the same sinuous Art-Nouveau style as the pierced wooden room divide…. The menu, too, is inspired by Chartier, so rather than being subjected to culinary experimentation as a paying lab rat, expect a comforting sense of tradition.”

August

Gibbston Valley, Central Otago

September

TBC

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Committee Musings June ’25

AGM

Following the AGM, the committee received confirmation that the Club website was now up to date with all the AGM reports, as well as the new club rules.

Starting times

Having regard to the AGM general business discussion on starting times, the committee reviewed the start times of our monthly tastings and agreed it should remain at 8 pm. The AGM start of 7.45 pm was because there is no quaffer before the meeting starts.

Thanks

Thanks to everyone for the help with setting up the tables and chairs at the start of our evenings and taking the same down after the meeting.

Appreciation also for taking the tables contents: spittoons/water jugs/cracker plates back to the kitchen.

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Looking Back – AGM May ’25

Thanks to all those that attended the Club’s AGM. It was a short and succinct meeting, with all the important matters passed or discussed in a timely matter.

For those that couldn’t attend:

  • Financial Report has been uploaded to the Club website if you wish to review it.
  • Presidents Report, a copy of which has also been uploaded to the Club website.
  • Election of Officers, everybody on the committee was re-elected to continue in their previous roles.
  • Subscriptions, due at 1 July to remain at $25 for the 25/26 financial year.
  • All 3 Notices of Motion from Ken Warren in relation to changes to our Constitution to bring it up to spec with current legislation were unanimously received and accepted.
  • General Business: the subject of changing our starting time, especially for the winter months was again raised. It was agreed that our next AGM would start at 7:45, instead of 8pm.

The Supper put on by committee members was enjoyed, as was the socialising that accompanied it.

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Bladen Wines presented by Blair Macdonald

Wednesday 11th June | 8 pm start

Door Price: Members $15 / Guests $19

Cellar Door Bladen Wines – 83  Conders Bend Road, Renwick, Marlborough

In 1989, Christine and Dave Macdonald left their city lives behind to realise their dream of establishing a vineyard and winery. With caravan in tow the family embarked on a national tour to find the ideal winegrowing region and vineyard location.



Settling in Marlborough, they planted their vineyard by hand, initially growing grapes for local wineries before creating their own wines under the Bladen name. Chris and Dave quickly developed a reputation for making exceptional cool climate wines.

The Bladen name refers to Chris and Dave’s children – Blair and Deni – who were toddlers when the vineyard was developed.

Chris and Dave Macdonald are proud to be amongst the pioneers of the Marlborough winegrowing region. There were only eight wineries in the Marlborough district in 1989 when they established their vineyard.

Blair will be presenting the following wines at our tasting:

  • 2023 Pinot Noir Rosé
  • 2023 Pinot Gris
  • 2023 Sauvignon Blanc ‘Five Barrels’
  • 2024 Riesling ‘Eight Rows’
  • 2023  The Sum of Us (Gertz, Pinot Gris and Riesling)
  • 2024 Gewurztraminer ‘Tilly Vineyard’
  • 2019 Pinot Noir

Bladen is currently closed for the Winter, reopening on 25th October 2025.

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5-Course French Degustation Dinner at Tartines Café, Eastbourne, May ’25

The French dinner, advertised to the Club by Murray, who couldn’t attend, was hosted by Mission wines. As a follow up the Mission evening in March, a few of us went along to enjoy Mission’s Jewelstone brand of premier wines, matched with each of the five courses.

We opened with a tasting of Blue Cheese Mousse, Caramelised Pear on Toasted Brioche, which was delightfully smooth in the mouth. This was paired with Mission’s Fete Brut Cuvee NV. We were looking forward to the next course!

The next course was Salmon, Sashimi, Soya Jelly, Ginger Syrup, Wakame Salad, Washabi Mayo & Sesame Seeds – a tribute to the chef’s days at the original Hummingbird restaurant in Courtenay Place, when this was a stable on the menu. This was paired with Mission’s Jewelstone Rosé 2023. The Rose was pinky gold in colour and was amazing with the dish.

Our third dish was Goat Cheese Cannelloni, Cramed Leek, Walnut Cream and Caramelised Walnut. Paired with Jewelstone Chardonnay 2022.

The mix in this course went down very well, with the caramelised walnuts a
really lovely addition to the smoothness of the rest of the meal.

It was a beautiful evening, with a starlit sky outside and as the air began to cool the braziers were lit. It all added such an atmosphere to the evening.

Next, we moved to the red of the evening, Jewstone Antione, Cabernet Sauvignon 2020. This wine is from their Gilmett Gravels vineyards, and is small-batch, barrel
fermented. It paired excellently with the Slow Cooked Beef Cheeks Bourguignon, Parsnip Puree, Roasted Baby Carrots. Rich, creamy and so tasty.

To round the evening off we were served Lemon Curd, Pannacotta, Braised Pineapple & Passion Fruit Coulis, paired with Mission Estate Late Harvest 2024.

Tammy from Mission came around during the meal to check how things were going at tables, as well as giving us commentary on the different wines were  sampling and titillating us with the story behind the wines, such as the  Jewelstone Antoine.

A plus, we were able to order Mission wines if we wished to, after the meal. It’s great Tammy is in Johnsonville, as she is delivering any orders received on the night.

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Committee Musings May ’25

Thanks

It was great to have everyone help with the tables and chairs at the start of last months’ meeting and taking the same down after the meeting. Also taking the tables contents: spittoons/water jugs/cracker plates back to the kitchen. Could we please continue this new routine.

Reminder

We can’t arrive to do the setting up activities any earlier than 7:30pm as we interrupt the cleaner(s) schedule, the cleaners are in the hall until 7:30pm.

Hobbies

Now we’re approaching the time for indoor hobbies, perhaps the following will give you inspiration for indoor fun:

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Looking Back – 2024 NZIW Gold Medal Winners, Apr ’24

Wayne, with Michael and Murray presenting to the Club
Wayne, with Michael and Murray presenting to the Club

What a brilliant evening! Organised by Wayne, who purchased the winning wines in a timely manner so he could secure every one that he wanted, and part hosted by Wayne, with Michael and Murray added to the panel presenting to the Club members.

We had 36 members turn up for the tasting, so the reputation of this evening from last year has grown!

Wayne had tasting notes for each wine to refer to, and club members were asked what they tasted, liked and towards the end of the evening there was a vote on the best wine of the evening – it was a fairly close call on that point!

The below wines were what we tasted on the night, and may available from New World, The Good Wine Company, and other NZ locations.

  • 2024 Leftfield Pinot Gris, Marlborough
  • 2024 Wairau River Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough
  • 2024 Sileni Advocate Grand Reserve Albarino, Hawkes Bay
  • 2023 Bladen Eight Rows Riesling, Marlborough
  • 2022 Kirrihill Regional Series Clare Valley Shiraz, South Australia
  • 2021 Church Road McDonald Series Merlot, Hawkes Bay
  • 2023 McArthur Ridge Southern Tor Pinot Noir

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Committee Musings April ’25

AGM

The committee has begun preparations for the forthcoming AGM and the formal Agenda for this meeting.

Included with the agenda are a number of Notices of Motion that relate to proposed changes to our club rules. The reasons for these changes are also set out in the attachment.

Thank you

We also continue to be delighted and thankful of everyone’s help with set-up of the hall for our gatherings, and then the pack down at the end of the evening, thank you.

Looking Ahead

  • May – AGM and Notice of Motion to Amend the Club Rules
  • June – Gibbston Valley [Provisional]
  • July – Midwinter Dinner – venue to be confirmed

Look Out for Each Other

As always, please if you are feeling unwell, do not attend the evening’s presentation. Thanks.

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Gold Medal Winners from the New Zealand International Wine Show October 2024

The Results from the 2024 New Zealand International Wine Show are here.Hosted by Wayne Kennedy, Murray Jaspers and Michael Kuus

Wednesday 9th April, 8 pm Start

Door Price: Members $16 / Guests $20

Immediately after the Gold Medal Winners from the New Zealand International Wine Show were announced last October, your club set out to acquire three bottles of seven gold medal wines for us to taste this month. April was chosen to do this as that is a time of the year when the wine industry is busy with harvest, and thus many wineries are unavailable to present to us.

The beauty of doing this immediately that the announcements were made were two-fold. It meant that the wines were still available and more importantly it also gave us an opportunity to secure seven trophy wines, including the McArthur Ridge Southern Tor Pinot Noir which was the Champion wine of the Show.

Many of these wines are hard to come by now, so we are fortunate that your committee acted so quickly. All that remains is for you to attend and enjoy a great trophy tasting.

Please remember your tasting glasses

The wines we will be tasting are:

  • 2024 Leftfield Pinot Gris, Marlborough
  • 2024 Wairau River Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough
  • 2024 Sileni Advocate Grand Reserve Albarino, Hawkes Bay
  • 2023 Bladen Eight Rows Riesling, Marlborough
  • 2022 Kirrihill Regional Series Clare Valley Shiraz, South Australia
  • 2021 Church Road McDonald Series Merlot, Hawkes Bay
  • 2023 McArthur Ridge Southern Tor Pinot Noir

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Committee Musings Mar ’25

Condolenses

The committee sent flowers and a card to Gayl to note Mike’s passing, and there was a good turnout at the celebration of his life on Friday 21st Feb, with stories coming from family, friends and work colleagues.

Amusing anecdote – The Need to Watch What You Buy

Occurred in the preparation for the event on 21st.

The following anecdote is recounted by Wayne with the approval of Gayl. He hopes it has been accurately retold.

As is customary with any funeral or celebration of life, consideration must be given to the arrangements following the formalities. Most families prefer to delegate such responsibilities to the funeral parlour.

Consequently, the funeral director met with the family to review the funeral arrangements and sought confirmation regarding the provision of wines for the afternoon tea. One of Mike’s sons replied promptly, “Oh no! Mum will want to handle that personally.”

Subsequently, Gayl visited her local retailer and consulted with the individual responsible for wines about her desired selections. Among her choices were bottles of Rockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir, a wine she fondly remembered enjoying with Mike.

At this juncture, the store representative intervened, saying, “Sorry, but I don’t think that’s a suitable choice for a funeral.” “Why on earth not?” Gayl inquired.
“Look at the label,” the store representative responded.

Tasting setup & thanks

We also continue to be delighted and thankful of everyone’s help with set-up of the hall for our gatherings, and then the pack down at the end of the evening.

Please remember: We can’t arrive to do the setting up activities any earlier than 7:30pm as we may interrupt the cleaner(s) schedule, who have the hall until that time.

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Looking Back – Del Mundo with Lucus

2023 Rosé Laubespin - 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (Medoc, France)
2023 Rosé – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (Medoc, France)

We started the evening with a French Chateau Laubespin Rosé. Lucus’ presentation was lively with a sprinkling of history and news of the different areas and permitted grape varieties grown in each place, as he took us through an evening of Italian and Spanish wines.

The evening was well attended with 37 attendees, and the grape varieties were an interesting mix, as were the mixes of the different/familiar varieties.

It certainly made for an entertaining evening, especially the unexpected introduction to a Balsamic at supper time. This was a ground level product, and one that the Italians used as a digestive, by having a teaspoonful after their meal!. It was certainly NOT the quality of product NZers are familiar with. It was so much better with a depth of sweetness akin to that of date, rather than sugar, sweetness and was thick and creamy.

An evening of Italian and Spanish wines.
An evening of superb Italian and Spanish wines.

A reminder of the tastings we had during the evening:

  • 2023 Rosé Laubespin – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (Medoc, France)
  • 2021 Guizzo ‘Padre Rinengato’ Spumante Brut Nature (Valdobbiadene, Italy)
  • 2023 Donnafugata Sur Sur Grillo (Sicily, Italy)
  • NV Gonzalo de Berceo white Tempranillo (Rioja, Spain)
  • 2020 Contepassi Super Tuscan – Sangiovese, Cabernet, Merlot (Tuscany Italy)
  • 2023 Poggio Apricale Super Tuscan – Sangiovese, Merlot, Colorino (Montalcino, Italy)
  • 2017 ‘Voche’ Graciano Selección (Rioja, Spain)
  • PLUS, a special treat, a Balsamic aged in French oak for 30-years!

This tasting was clearly enjoyed, with the different grape varieties and areas they are grown in sparking conversations all evening. Del Munto received 17 orders from members which reflected just how much they enjoyed the evening.

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Tasting – Mission Wines, Hawkes Bay w/Tammy Edwards

A heritage like no other – Mission Estate Winery
Wednesday 12th March, 8pm
Door Price: Members $6 / Guests $10

Reaching NZ shores in 1838, pioneering French missionaries founded a legacy. From their many accomplishments now interwoven throughout history came New Zealand’s first winery, Mission , in 1851. Their inspiration, a legacy, continues.

Today their vineyards span two of NZ’s best winegrowing regions; Hawkes Bay and Marlborough. Hawkes Bay vineyards in the Gimblett Gravels and Taradale focus on Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah; but also include small clocks of other varietals such as Semillon and Cabernet Franc.

Whereas, their Marlborough properties, perfect for producing cool climate wine styles, grow Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.

Mission Estate Winery established in 1851 by pioneering French Missionaries is New Zealand’s oldest winery and the birthplace of New Zealand wine.
Mission Estate Winery established in 1851 by pioneering French Missionaries is New Zealand’s oldest winery and the birthplace of New Zealand wine.

Paul Mooney, our passionate winemaker since 1979, was trained by the Marist Brothers themselves, Paul imparts the very essence of Mission’s French heritage winemaking philosophy into both our Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough wines.

We consider ourselves guardians of our heritage and our land, and for more than 20 years we have been proud to be a founding member of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand. In 1998, we were also one of the first wineries in New Zealand to be certified with the internationally recognised environmental management system ISO 14001.

We start with 2024 Mission Estate Rosé as our conversation/entry tasting followed by:

  • 2023 The Gaia Project Pinot Gris
  • 2024 Mission Estate
  • 2023 Reserve Chardonnay
  • 2019 Mission Reserve Cabernet Franc
  • 2020 Mission Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 2023 Reserve Syrah

SPECIAL NOTE: The door prize on tasting night is going to be something a little special, namely a bottle of Lanvin Brut Champagne NV. Ticket prices for this will be $2 each.

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