What age can do for wine – in September 2017

What happens when you unearth some older wines? We are arranging a September meeting with a difference.

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1986 Matua Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – drinking now or past it? You decide.

Have you ever wondered what age can do to wine? Many of you may remember the late Richard Gooch. He presented to the club several times and last year, his wife Linda donated some of Richard’s older wines to the club for us to use as a learning experience. The oldest ones date back to the early 1970’s. More about the wines next month but it includes a mystery wine for us
to determine what it is and we will have Cuisine wine writer John Saker on hand to help us assess their quality.

Some wines may be past their best, others may be superb. Who knows. But this will be a great learning experience for anyone wondering what age can do to wines that are left to languish forgotten at the back of our cellars.

But a word of warning. This tasting will be closed to just members and we will likely need to limit it to 36. So once this month’s tasting is out of the way we will ask you to register your attendance.

Check out the event details.

A Fun Night of Wine and Trivia – April 2017

Nearly four years ago we had a wine trivia evening. This was very successful and enjoyed by all who attended. We have often been encouraged to have another such evening and have now decided to do something about it. So our April offering is such a fun night.

There will be something for everyone! Some interesting wines to taste, questions ranging from the obscure to the obvious (especially once you hear the answer) and plenty of frivolity along the way. There’ll also be a range of ways to score points – wine knowledge, general knowledge and sheer luck!

As it was last time it will be a friendly team competition – you can arrange your own or join other members to make up teams on the night. Your committee will ensure everyone who comes along is in a team.

We suggest about six people per team, though it’ll depend on numbers on the night. We welcome your clever team names and will also have some names on hand in case inspiration deserts you.  As always, guests are welcome so bring your friends along for a fun evening.

Ata Rangi – March 2017

Ata Rangi, meaning “dawn sky” or “new beginning” is a small New Zealand winery with a big reputation for serious Pinot Noir. Located at the southern end of the North Island, it is owned and managed by a family trio – Clive Paton, his wife Phyll and his sister Alison.

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Ata Rangi founder Clive Paton

Clive planted his first vines on a small, stony sheep paddock at the edge of the Martinborough village in 1980 as one of a handful of people who pioneered winegrowing in the area. Ata Rangi Pinot Noir is undoubtedly the flagship wine, and in 2010 was honoured with the inaugural Tipuranga Teitei o Aotearoa or “Grand Cru of New Zealand”.

With a skilled team in place, including dynamic winemaker Helen Masters, Clive now has more time to focus on his commitment to conservation and to the Ata Rangi alliance with Project Crimson. More event details early next month.