A Quick Update: Hawke’s Bay has just become the latest area in the world to join the Great Wine Capitals – Global Network – A World of Excellence. Check it out!
Hawke’s Bay joins ther Great Wine Capitals network
Christmas Dinner ’24 & Looking Ahead Further
Looking Back – December Christmas Dinner
This year’s Christmas Dinner was held at Le Marche Francais, as always
a welcoming establishment for our Christmas dinner.
The food was as excellent as it is every time we visit. The staff were on
the ball and welcoming towards us, too. The socialising and mingling at the beginning of the evening with our glasses of bubbly was most festive.
With thanks to the staff in French from John Dawson and a welcome to Club members from Murray, our evening was set for a great Christmas treat.
Looking Ahead Further
- March – Mission Vineyard
- April – New Zealand International Wine Show 2024 Trophy Wines
- May – AGM
Del Mundo – Once upon a bottle shoppe
February 2025
Wednesday 12th February, 8 pm start
Door Price: Members $16 / Guests $20
It’s not just a drink in a glass; it’s the whole story behind it—the people, culture and place.
This evening is a taste of Italy and Spain from Del Mundo Presented by Lucas Monge. Established in Wellington, New Zealand, Lucas Monge, Founder of ‘Del Mundo’, imports and distributes sought-after traditional wine varieties from producers who believe wine is not just a drink in a glass but the whole story behind it; people, culture and place, producers that have proven passion for wine craftsmanship, land and sustainability.
The proposed wines available to purchase from Lucas may include the following:
- 2023 Rose 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)
Del Mundo is New Zealand’s official partner and home of Donnafugata, Fabiano, Manzanos, Siglo, Berceo, Voche, Montelvini, Guizzo, Martoccia di Brunelli Luca, Chateau Carmenere Richard – Barraud and Italian liquor, Meletti.
Though the wines are yet to be decided upon, we thought you may like to get to practise some of the terms that are involved in Italian and Spanish wines:
Imbottigliato (im-boh-tee-l’yah’-toe)
Italian for “bottled.” “Imbottigliato all’origine” is the term for estate bottled.
Sassicaia (sah-see-cah’-yah)
A Cabernet Sauvignon-based red wine from the coast of the Tuscany region in Italy. The wine is very consciously based on the wines of the Haut-Medoc in Bordeaux, France, and indeed even the grape cuttings originate from there. This wine forever changed the landscape of Italian wines. Even though it had no official classification, it was one of the most expensive and critically acclaimed wines of Italy. It was at the forefront of a class of wines that have been called “Super Tuscans” each based on Cabernet Sauvignon, even
though, at the time, Cab was not an allowed grape anywhere in the Tuscany region.
Because of the great popularity of these wines a new DOC designation was created in the region of Bolgheri for these wines, and a DOC Bolgheri Sassicaia was created for this wine alone.
Secco (seck’-o)
The Italian term for “dry” (meaning a wine without any residual sugar).
Soave (s’wah’-veh)
The best known Italian white wine, it comes from the Verona region in the northeastern portion of the country. Made from the Garganega grape, with the ubiquitous Trebbiano sometimes used in the blend.
Sherry (share-ee)
A fortified wine made in the Sherry district in southern Spain around the city of Jerez de la Frontera. The wine is made primarily from the grape Palomino. The grapes are brought into the winery and pressed. The first pressed juice (that of the highest quality) is reserved to make the “fino” styles.
Flor (flore)
A special type of yeast found on wine. In the Sherry district of Spain, the flor yeast help to make the finest Sherries. On other wines it is a pest and must be controlled. It is also the Spanish word for flower.
Macebo (mah-cah-beh’-oh)
The principal white wine grape of the Spanish Rioja region where it is known locally as Viura. Simple and crisp with a floral quality, this grape helped revolutionize the white wines of the Rijoa region by replacing the easily oxidized Malvasia grape.
2025 Events Coming Up
Note
- Please remember there is no BBQ in January 2025
- February – TBC
Committee Musings
Your committee would like to acknowledge how the Club works for and on behalf of everyone in the wine industry.
We are a sought-after Club for the wineries, especially the ones that have presented in the past, and are wanting to present to us again.
This is down to everyone who attends and orders at our monthly events.
Lets continue this into 2025.
Looking Back – Bubbles Evening, ‘Nov 24
This was a superb evening featuring worldwide bubbles with Keith Tibble. What a lineup we had!
The special food supplied by your committee members Tim and Terry,
was a nice touch for the evening, providing variety with the various
wines.
This has left everyone with some thoughtfully selected wines to source for Christmas celebrations.
As a reminder of what to put on your shopping list, the wines we tasted were:
- Quaffer, Hunters Offshoot Pet-Nat from Waihopai Valley, Marlborough
Tasting – Part 1
- Louis Perdier Brut Excellence, Languedoc, France
- Tempus Two Prosecco, King Valley, NSW
- Gancia Prosecco Trentino, Italy
- Maude Methode Traditionale NV, Central Otago
Tasting Part 2:
- Champagne Lanvin, Epernay, France
- Veuve du Vernay Brut Rosé, France
It was an interesting and fun evening for everyone, thanks Terry for organising and Keith Tibble for presenting.
Further news: EuroVintage named Champion Wine Company of the Year 2024!
Check out Nov tasting – Bubbles Evening w/Keith Tibble, EuroVintage.
Christmas Dinner – Dec ’24
Le Marché Francais
262 Thorndon Quay, Wellington
Wednesday 11th December
Please arrive at 6.30 pm for seating at 7.00 pm
We have dined at Le Marche Francois before as a Club and people enjoy the food, the company and the atmosphere.
Veronique Sauzeau [Vero] is the chef and owner and the menu she has prepared for the night is:
- A selection of petite entrees
- Mains – your choice of either beef, chicken or fish
- Petite fours for dessert
And to repeat Wayne’s original instructions on getting there: Le
Marche is upstairs in the furnishing shop quarter of Wellington’s
Thorndon Quay. If using public transport, simply get off the bus at the
old Woolstore stop.
Please Note
- You are asked to arrive before 7 pm, as the roadside main doors are locked at
this time. - Please come up the stairs to the first floor, where you will be greeted with a
complementary glass of bubbles. - The meal is BYO wine, and your prepaid cost includes corkage and a discount on the meal. During the evening, it is customary to share the bottle of wine you have brought with your neighbours.
- We are expecting to finish sometime between 9.00 pm and 9.30 pm, but this is a guideline only, in case you are arranging transport home. Please try and stay as flexible as possible.
Please contact Wayne if you wish to attend this event and have not already contacted him.
Cost is $85 per person and must be paid on or before the 1st December, which is the close-off date for this event.
Looking Back – Peregrine, Oct ’24
It was great to have a Central Otago winery present to us by Justin, the North Island and Australian sales manager presenting. We had 32 people attend, with lively and enquiring discussions and somewhat very different tastings to experience.
We found out that the owners of Peregrine are heavily into bird conservation, hence the name of the vineyard, although it’s not a NZ Hawk. Their prime focus in this area is the Saddleback [Tieke], with injured birds being housed, recuperated and released back into the wild.
Nadine Cross is their wine maker and focusses on balance in the wines she produces. While the whole team help with vintage, from picking by hand usually, to processing and finally bottling, so everyone gets an all-round experience with the vineyard.
Peregrine are situated in a mountainous wine growing area, with their vineyard sites in Bendigo, Pisa and Gibbston areas. They were certified as organic from their 2017 vintage and have now been certified as Biodynamic recently. Congratulations!
A reminder of the wines we tasted during the evening:
- 2023 Saddleback Riesling
- 2023 Peregrine Sauvignon Blanc
- 2023 Saddleback Rosé
- 2023 Peregrine Pinot Gris
- 2023 Peregrine Chardonnay
- 2022 Saddleback Pinot Noir
- 2022 Peregrine Pinot Noir
Nov tasting – Bubbles Evening w/Keith Tibble, EuroVintage
Wednesday 13th November, 8 pm Start
Door Price: Members $20 / Guests $25
Discover the Art of Sparkling Wines: A Special Wine Tasting Event
Join us for an exquisite journey through some of the finest sparkling wines from around the world. Whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or a novice eager to explore, this curated selection promises to delight your palate and expand your appreciation for bubbly wines.
The Club can provide a flute for members, stressing one per member, but please feel free to bring your own if you wish for the evening.
Here’s what’s on our tasting list
Hunters Offshoot Pet-Nat Origin: Waihopai Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand
We kick off this sparkling adventure with the charming Hunters Offshoot Pet-Nat. Sourced from the picturesque Waihopai Valley, this wine is a true artisanal creation. With its natural fermentation process, it captures the essence of the lush Marlborough terroir. Expect vibrant bursts of fruit and a refreshing, slightly effervescent profile that sets the tone for an exciting tasting experience.
Louis Perdier Brut Excellence Origin: Languedoc, France
Next, we venture to the sun-kissed vineyards of Languedoc for the Louis Perdier Brut Excellence. Known for its elegant balance of fruit-forward flavours and crisp acidity, this Champagne-style sparkling wine is predominantly composed of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. Its fine bubbles and hints of green apple and brioche make it a delightful choice for
those who appreciate the classically refined sparkling wines of France.
Tempus Two Prosecco Origin: King Valley, NSW, Australia
From the King Valley in New South Wales, we bring you the Tempus Two Prosecco, crafted from the Glera grape. This refreshing sparkling wine charms with its light, fruity notes of pear and citrus, accompanied by a delicate floral aroma. A perfect aperitif, it pairs beautifully with antipasti or can be enjoyed on its own for a sunny afternoon.
Gancia Prosecco Origin: Trentino, Italy
We cross the globe to Italy’s Trentino region to sample the renowned Gancia Prosecco. Known for its crispness and elegance, Gancia Prosecco features a light, frothy mouthfeel with an array of flavour notes from ripe peaches to refreshing herbs. This wine is a testament to timeless Italian tradition in sparkling wine production—perfect for any celebration.
Maude Methode Traditionale NV Origin: Central Otago, New Zealand
Experience the careful craftsmanship of Maude Methode Traditionale NV from Central Otago, an area celebrated for its unique climate and soil, ideal for high-quality wine production. This traditional method sparkling wine offers complex layers of flavour, featuring stone fruits, nutty undertones, and a long, creamy finish, making it a standout selection for any true wine lover.
Champagne Lanvin Origin: Epernay, France
No sparkling wine tasting would be complete without the iconic Champagne. We proudly present Champagne Lanvin from the heart of Epernay. This exquisite bubbly epitomizes the elegance of true Champagne, characterised by fine bubbles, balanced acidity, and flavours that blend ripe fruit, floral notes, and a touch of minerality, making it a luxurious choice for any occasion.
Veuve du Vernay Brut Rose Origin: France
We conclude our tasting with the beautifully vibrant Veuve du Vernay Brut Rosé. This charming French sparkling wine features a delightful pink hue and lively notes of red berries, perfect for those looking for something fruity yet refreshing. The appealing aroma and taste will leave a lasting impression, making it an excellent way to end the tasting.
We look forward to seeing you Wednesday 13th November for a memorable evening.
IMBIBE Field blends are worth exploring – if you can track them down, explains Mermaidmary
@August NZ House & Garden
The idea of a blended wine isn’t news to wine lovers. Wines are individually made then mixed together to achieve the product you see on the shelf. Bordeaux wines are a combination of as many as five red wines to make one signature blend, and even non-vintage champagne is a blended wine where chardonnay pinot noir and pinot meunier wines are used to achieve a house style. In this instance, the blend undergoes a secondary fermentation in the bottle, giving the champagne its signature bubbles.
A lesser-known style of blend is the field blend. This wine is traditionally made from grapes that have been grown together and are then co-fermented. While a traditional blend is mixed in the winery after the fact, a field blend is created in the vineyard before the wine is made. With this comes a level of faith by the winemaker that they have put the right grapes together, and a certain unpredictability about the outcome. This is certainly a case where the vintage matters because the blend can change year on year, meaning you always have a different outcome.
Field blends are sublime, fresh and crisp with layers of aroma and flavour thanks to the multiple grape varieties that feature in the mix. I love this type of blend because I believe it is the ultimate reflection of terroir. It is a true expression of where the grapes are grown, as the focus is not on one particular grape and what that single varietal wine ‘should’ taste like. Instead, it’s a wine made from a mixture of grapes grown together in the same vineyard, reflecting what is truly special about that place.
Field blends are usually found in restaurants, as they are incredible food wines, or in specialist liquor stores. They are worth seeking out – I promise you won’t be disappointed.
A quick guide to field blends
See the Wine Enthusiast guide & the Imbibe Live Guide to field blend wines.
Looking Back – Misty Cove, Marlborough, Aug’ 24
What a brilliant evening! For those that couldn’t attend, you missed a good evening. We had 22 in attendance.
The evening’s presenter was Manu, Misty Cove’s South African born, and French trained Chief Winemaker. He spoke with us, answering questions and explaining why they use mainly Acacia wood barrels or rather ‘puncheons‘, which are smaller-sized barrels; as well as oak, and the effects of both woods on the various wines they make. These are imported from France and Italy. He explained how they do their harvest and where grapes come from, from the different plots they have and sometimes, where grapes they use come from outside of their district, i.e. Gisborne!
The wines are made to be on the slightly dry side, rather than the sweet side and were very interesting to taste, with sometimes surprising results.
Misty Cove has previously focused on the export market to date but have now begun focussing on the New Zealand market to introduce their wines to.
A reminder of the wines we tasted during the evening:
- 2022 Misty Cove Waihopai – this is their Rosé, this year the blend is Chardonnay/Pinot Noir, made with a slight fizz, and yes, it’s the champagne mixture! Their Rosé is not necessarily made with the same grapes every season.
- 2024 Misty Cove Estate Sauvignon Blanc – this was a surprise to non-white drinkers, whilst it smelt like a Sauv Blanc, it was smooth in the mouth!
- 2023 Misty Cove Estate Pinot Gris – this has 2% Gertz within in, and Manu said that over time this could get more dominant within the mixture.
- 2024 Misty Cove Landmark Albarino – a Spanish grape that it gaining in popularity, the grapes for this vintage come from the Gisborne area
- 2024 Misty Cove Landmark Riesling – again, 10 ton of grapes were brought from contract growers for this vintage, and while this wine is young it will get the kerosene people are used to with age
- 2022 Misty Cove Landmark Chardonnay – smooth and light in the mouth
- 2023 Misty Cove Estate Pinot Noir – this is their entry-level label, but with lots of fruit flavour in the mouth, this tipple was popular with those at the table.
Tasting – Peregrine with Justin Hart, Oct’24
Wine with Altitude | Peregrine Wines
Wednesday 9th October, 8 pm Start
Door Price: Members $14 / Guests $18
Taking a ‘hands on’ approach to winemaking since 1998 the McLachlan family strive to produce wines that embody the absolute best of Central Otago.
This passion for the land runs in their family and is a hallmark of Peregrine as a business.
Organic farming is fundamental to every aspect of Peregrine Vineyard Estates, with an holistic approach that integrates crop and livestock farming with vineyard management.
The talented estate farming team are as adept at nurturing wines, as they are developing new land, or working with livestock.
Peregrine’s quest for outstanding Central Otago wine begins in the three distinct sub-regions from which they draw their fruit: Bendigo, Pisa and Gibbston, where their landmark winery rises up amongst rugged rock reefs and ancient hills.
In each of these locations, their commitment to the organic farming and viticulture guarantees fruit of the highest quality, imparting the clearest expression of character to every vintage.
A natural extension of their passion for the land, Peregrine are dedicated to helping protect some of NZ’s rarest native birds. As well as taking part personally in some of this country’s most successful preservation programmes, Peregrine is proud to have worked with the Wingspan Birds of Prey Trust, DoC and the Fiordland Conservation Trust.
Peregrine wines spectacular, architecturally designed Winery and Cellar Door are open Mon-Sat 11 am-4 pm for wine sales and experiences.
Our wines for the evening:
- 2023 Saddleback Riesling
- 2023 Peregrine Sauvignon Blanc
- 2023 Saddleback Rosé
- 2023 Peregrine Pinot Gris
- 2022 Saddleback Pinot Noir
- 2022 Peregrine Pinot Noir
We look forward to seeing you Wednesday, 9th October.
Western Hills Wine Society Rockburn evening, Aug ’24
Six of our Club joined Western Hills Wine Society for a Rockburn evening.
The Western Hills Wine Society sent an invitation to us, which was shared along
with our last newsletter, to join them for their wine club evening hosted by
Rockburn from Central Otago. The presenter was one of their wine-making
team, Malcolm Rees-Francis.
Rockburn specialises in Pinot Noir, but the wines for the evening were:
- 2023 Rockburn Stolen Kiss Rose
- Rockburn Amber is a Pinot Gris fermented like a Pinot Noir
- Rockburn Chardonnay
- Devil’s Staircase Pinot Noir
- 2023 Rockburn Pinot Noir
- 2022 Rockburn Eleven Barrels Pinot Noir
- 2022 Rockburn Twelve Barrels Pinot Noir
- 2022 Rockburn The Art Pinot Noir
We were asked to keep a little of each of the Pinot Noirs in our glasses for a vertical tasting as they rolled out. As always, it was an interesting comparison, with some divergence as to which was best.
The Amber wine was called an ‘orange wine,’ and this type of wine originates from the Georgia area of Europe. It is an interesting tipple with a nice orangey colour, slightly murky, i.e., not filtered when it left the barrel, and the Pinot Gris has spent a year in oak. This wine is built to age over ten years if you like to cellar it.
It was an interesting and fun evening with a welcoming crowd.