Glengarry's Sunday ramblings of all things vinous, grain and glorious. The Sunday Sediment. Issue Sixty-Nine
Welcome to our Sunday Sediment, if you don’t usually receive this and fancy a lazy Sunday wine read. Glengarry's Sunday ramblings on all things vinous, grain-related and glorious. The Sunday Sediment. Click here to sign up to receive this. Oh and whilst we have your attention, we thought we’d also let you know that FREIGHT IS INCLUDED ONLINE, just for today.
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UNTITLED WINES WHAT"S IN A NAME
No name, no shame? Nope, that’s not it at all. Untitled is forging its own singular path in search of something unique. Winemaker Lee Winston has drawn his inspiration from the likes of Krug, Penfolds Grange, The Prisoner and Beaucastel to produce three non-vintage, multi-varietal, multi-regional blends. A red one, a white one and a pink one, to be as precise as we’re going to get. Now, you may be assuming that this approach equates with some sort of ‘cheap quaffer’ arrangement, but you’d be mistaken. Our fine wine specialists ran their tastebuds across these and were unanimously impressed with what they encountered. These are great wines, and they’ll go down a treat, particularly with the newer generations of wine lovers. Check them out; satisfaction awaits.
LEE WINSTON
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UNTITLED WINES | KINGSLAND IN-STORE TASTING Untitled Wines wanted to create something unique. But, unfortunately, lacked the bank roll needed to seek out that ideal piece of terra sancta that allows bunches of grapes to speak poignantly, through the medium of wine, about the terroir in which their roots are planted. So, Untitled had to come up with a different strategy for being different. Stuck for ideas,
WHEN: Saturday 17th November
Untitled drew inspiration from pioneering wines
WHERE: Glengarry Kingsland
such as Krug, Penfolds Grange, The Prisoner,
420 New North Rd Kingsland
and Beaucastel to produce three non-vintage,
TIME: 4.00pm - 6.00pm
multi-varietal, multiregional blends-a red one, a white one, and a pink one. This is an in-store tasting so no need to book, just pop on down to the store and try a selection of these wines from 4.00pm - 6.00pm.
PAUL BROWN, SCOTT TAYLOR & JARRED MACLACHLAN
DEEP CREEK CANNING IT IN THE CAN 3
Indulging in drinking copious amounts of beer during the Kiwi OE rite of passage seldom leads to an exciting career. In the case of Jarred Maclachlan and Paul Brown it did; although as dedicated home brewers, they would rightly argue that their imbibing was nothing more than a bit of bona fide research.
The Deep Creekers are fans of the can: ‘Cans are basically like mini-kegs. They block out all the light. As light is destructive to those precious organic compounds in the beer that make the flavours we are so crazy about, we’d prefer that not to happen... they form a perfect airtight seal with none of the headspace that bottled beer has to contend with. And as
Influenced by the flavours emanating from
oxidation is the biggest enemy of a great
village breweries in rural England, monasteries
tasting brew, we like to avoid that.’
in Bavaria and alpine craft bars in the Rocky Mountains, the two friends started brewing their own elixirs with the requisite Kiwi twist. Starting life as a Browns Bay brew pub, Deep Creek have steadily gained a burgeoning fanbase for their product and now boast brew bars in Orewa and on Waiheke, along with their brewery in Silverdale. On the journey they teamed up with their own personal hospitality guru, Scott Taylor.
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COMMANDERIE DE BORDEAUX ABOUTWINE
La Confrérerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin was
Exactly two months ago, the New Zealand
formed 1934, celebrating the wines of
Council of the Commanderie de Bordeaux was
Burgundy. The success of this in post war
established. Last night, I was inducted into the
times led Alexis Lichine and Julius Wile to
Commanderie as a Commandeur. The medal
encourage the creation of the Commanderie de
received is a shield that represents a glass of
Bordeaux, which was established in 1957. The
Bordeaux. The Fleur-de-lis at the top
concept sitting behind these groups is very
representative of a wine’s bouquet. The Grand
French and dates to the Middle Ages, when
Conseil du Vine de Bordeaux – GCB is
groups of highly respected citizens would form
engraved on the medal. The moon on the
councils. The councils would get together,
medal speaks to the port of Bordeaux that was
share knowledge and debate, usually all over
once referred to as the Harbour of the Moon.
great wine and food. In fact, before the creation of the Commanderie in 1957, there were 15 councils in Bordeaux, all with different traditions and robes. In Commanderie de Bordeaux brings together all of these, a stronger voice in one than many. The Commanderie de Bordeaux, now globally administered by the Grand Conseil du Vin de Bordeaux.
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Last night’s gathering and celebration of three new Commandeurs, including myself, was held at Paris Butter in Auckland. Chef Nick Honeyman prepared an exceptional menu that matched beautifully with the wines of Bordeaux we enjoyed.
LAST OF THE SPRING SPARKLERS
As we approach that time of year laughingly referred to as ‘the festive season’, we find ourselves looking wildly around for something to drink. Sadly living The Champagne Lifestyle only in our minds, we come to the realization that NZ is blessed with some truly excellent homegrown sparkling wines, on sale at very affordable prices. The relief is palpable. Christmas, here we come! 6
TASTINGS AND EVENTS
PRESTIGE CHAMPAGNE TASTING | THORNDON The third tasting in our lead up to Christmas Champagne tastings is of course the best of the best. For a strictly controlled region such as Champagne it is surprising that there very few regulations regarding Prestige Champagne. However, it is clearly in the best interest of each House to make sure that these wines are the very best that they can produce. A typical
WHEN: Wednesday 14th November
Prestige Champagne is made entirely from
WHERE: Glengarry Thorndon,
Grand Cru grapes from the oldest vines. These
53 Hutt Rd, Thorndon
wines are also aged a lot longer in the cellars
TIME: 6.00pm
and there are numerous examples of late disgorged wines. There is also more thought put in to the bottle and the presentation to make it as luxurious and special as possible. We have a stellar line up and look forward to trying them with you.
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WESTMERE WINE CLUB: CELEBRATION WITH VIRGINIE OF NO. 1 FAMILY ESTATE It's almost that time of year again, it's getting warmer and we're starting to see more sun. Who doesn't want to sit down in the afternoon with a nice glass of bubbles? We certainly do! At this month's Westmere Wine Club we are excited to host Virginie of No. 1 Family Estate who is bringing in their best bubbles specially
WHEN: Thursday 15th November
for you to try. Who knows, they may even be
WHERE: Glengarry Westmere,
your Christmas favourite this year!
164 Garnet Rd Westmere TIME: 7.00pm
KHYBER PASS WINE CLUB - MILLS REEF ELSPETH RELEASE Mills Reef Winery was established in 1989 by the Preston family. Through commitment and dedication to excellence, the Mills Reef brand has established itself as one of New Zealand's premium labels with a particular reputation for outstanding Bordeaux varietal reds and Syrah. Mills Reef Winery is one of New Zealand's leading Gimblett Gravels producers, having
WHEN: Thursday 15th November
won over 500 medals and 16 trophies in
WHERE: Glengarry Khyber Pass,
national and international competitions, along
409 Khyber Pass Rd Newmarket
with being twice recipient of the prestigious
TIME: 7.00pm
New Zealand Winemaker of the Year Award. Join us at Glengarry Khyber Pass as we taste through the new Elspeth release, along with a few other treats.
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NOVEMBER MALT CLUB | CHEESE AND MYSTERY TREATS | VICTORIA PARK Just like Wine, Whisky is up to the task of pairing itself with Cheese. So far the duo may not be a predictable match but the number of supporters are growing. Jak's Malt Club sure does its part in sharing the appreciation for the two. From creamy Brie to crystallised Edam and from Speyside to The Highlands. Join us
WHEN: Thursday 15th November
on the 15th of November for our Whisky and
WHERE: Glengarry Victoria Park,
Cheese match-up evening. You be the judge
118 Wellesley St West Auckland
as we work our way through Whisky and
TIME: 7.00pm
Cheese together to find the ultimate pairing! Guiding us through the tasting experience will be Jak Jakicevich, our Malt Supremo and Tonci Jakicevich, our Malt Devotee. Finishing off the night with a challenge, our hosts will treat us to a couple of Mystery Malts to put us to the test!
CHATEAU LEOUBE COTES DE PROVENCE - WITH WILFRIED SENTEX | AUCKLAND For centuries, dry rosé wine has been a staple in the south of France, where it has long been considered the best wine to enjoy day and night beside the sea. Provence is the heart of the world’s rose production, and also home to one of its finest examples in Château Léoube. Their organic and biodynamic vineyard is set
WHEN: Tuesday 20th November
by the sea, and the wines are made by 4th
WHERE: Glengarry Victoria Park
generation rosé winemaker Romain Ott. The
118 Wellesley St West Auckland
Domaine and Château are owned by Lord and
TIME: 7.00pm
Lady Bamford who famously founded Daylesford Organic – one of the UK’s most sustainable farms – over forty years ago. These are some of the finest pink wines in the world, and we are very proud to represent them here in New Zealand.
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ACHAVAL-FERRER - MENDOZA, ARGENTINA - WITH JULIO LASMARTRES | DEVONPORT For many serious wine loves, the top Malbec in the world is made by Achaval-Ferrer. Situated in the best hilltop vineyards of Mendoza, they are very much the first family of Argentinean wine. Their vines are pre-phylloxera with an average age of 107 years! Very high density WHEN: Wednesday 28th November
planting with very low yields.The vineyard is
WHERE: Glengarry Devonport,
irrigated the traditional way, with water
Cnr Clarence & Wynyard Devonport
channels. In the winery there are no additions
TIME: 7.00pm
or interventions, these are extremely pure. The style of Achaval-Ferrer wines is a balance of ripeness and natural acidity for freshness. These are much more elegant and refined Malbecs than you might have tried previously, a bridge between the old world and the new world. We have their director Julio Lasmartres here to present these incredible wines.
ANNUAL PRESTIGE CUVEE CHAMPAGNE TASTING - NIGHT TWO | VICTORIA PARK This is always our most highly anticipated tasting of the year, the chance to dress up and try the world's greatest Champagnes head to head! Prestige or Luxury Cuvee's are the finest blend a House can make, no expense spared with every aspect tended by hand. We have another spectacular lineup planned this year
WHEN: Wednesday 12th December
with lots of new wines. Hosted by our
WHERE: Glengarry Victoria Park,
Champagne expert and Fine Wine Manager
118 Wellesley St West Auckland
Regan McCaffery, he will take us through the
TIME: 7.00pm
history and stories of these incredible bottles.
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That's it for this week's Sunday Sediment. Issue Seventy will be winging its way to your inbox next Sunday. Cheers,
Jak Jakicevich
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