Wine Consultant

I just saw this website specialising in French vineyard tours. Looks very cool. www.promenades-en-france.com

After posting yesterdays blog I discovered another vineyard had once been just to the south of where the providence vineyard now is. It was owned by the Miganoff family who went on to produce the fruit wine “la Mora” (from citrus) and start the wine masters chain of stores in Auckland. There are probably several more vineyards in the area.

I was reading a website a few days ago that referred to the old Antipodean vineyard (now Mount Tamahunga vineyard) was the oldest in the area. despite quite a search, I can’t remember what the site was and I can’t find the reference. However, it’s not the oldest vineyard site in the region.

Depending on where you draw the boundary for the region there have been several vineyards. I’m not 100% certain of the exact details of these sites so I would appreciate some feedback if anyone knows anything.

There was one at Snells Beach I believe, owned by Peter Unkovich (I think) who sold wines produced from it in Snells and Warkworth. I think this was in operation in the 1960’s and 70’s, possibly into the 80’s.

There was also a vineyard at Komokoriki which is west of Warkworth as late as the mid 1980’s but could have been planted in the mid 1970’s. It was owned by the Bridge family, I think the grapes were sold to Montana.

Another I know existed, was my great grand fathers which was somewhere in Point Wells prior to the first World War.

Of course one should not forget the Levet’s vineyard at Te Hana north of Wellsford, established in 1863. Although probably not close enough to be called part of the region it’s significance as New Zealands first commercial vineyard and winery should not be forgotten given the relative proximity (21km in a straight line from Matakana).

Last friday I did a tasting at of Boom at the Snells Beach Liquorland. I always find tastings very interesting because it allows you to talk to real customers, real wine drinkers and find out what they think of your wine and what they want. It can be a rather critical exposure to the public which may be a bit too hard to take for some, but it’s something I recommend doing for small wineries on a regular basis.

The thing that always surprises me, is how different people perceive the same wine in very different ways. Simple things like sweetness can create very different reactions. Despite Boom Pinot Gris having virtually no residual sugar some still find it sweet, others, quite the opposite.

New Stockists!

We also have two new Stockists.

Point Wines in North Cote Point and Bacchus Cellars in Remuera.

Chris from the wine circle in Kumeu gave me a bottle of the Domaine Viret Solstice Red. The wine has no sulphites added which I know is of interest to many people. Also the grapes are grown using a method known as  cosmoculture more information is available on their website. The wines price is $20.00 and is a very pleasant red wine and good value for the price. Being a southern France red it has traditional earthy, warm flavours.

I’m not sure what the varieties are exactly but judging by the taste one would suspect and element of Grenache. All in all a pleasant enjoyable that should satisfy those looking for something with no preservatives added.

UPDATE: 10/3/10 Bill G has tipped me off to the varieties, - Mourvèdre, Merlot, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Caladoc, Grenache, old Carignan

In the last couple of days we have added two new outlets for Boom Sparkling Pinot Gris. One on the North Shore and another in Remuera. More details as soon as they have stock.

I opened a bottle of Champagne Salon 1990 with my wife for Valentines day. The wine was excellent although I thought that it was evolving at a faster pace than what Salon is meant too.

General wisdom is that Salon takes on an interesting coffee, macaroon, Madeira characters at around 35 - 40 years. However this wine had already evolved down that path with the addition of some nutty characters. The wine was excellent with a very fine persistent bead of bubbles. Delicious! Damn expensive though and hard to find after release.