Sunday Sediment | Issue 132 by Glengarry Wines

Glengarry's Sunday ramblings of all things vinous, grain and glorious. The Sunday Sediment. Issue One Hundred and Thirty-Two

Welcome to the One Hundred and Thirty-Second edition of The Sunday Sediment, a collection of what’s new, what’s on and what’s happening instore at Glengarry and within the world of wine. Sip away.

CHAPEL DOWN

Chapel Down is a very large UK drinks company ticking many beverage boxes, from sparkling wine to spirits to beers. As well as being on the larger side, they excel in terms of quality, their heritage intrinsically linked with England’s now flourishing sparkling wine industry. English wine production only really took off in the 1980s; the 30 years prior generally belonged to individuals with no real skill, who thought vineyard life would make a good retirement project. Enter Stephen Skelton MW in the late 1970s, who spent a couple of influential years in Germany establishing a vineyard at Tenterden in Kent before completing 22 consecutive vintages there. The Skelton Vineyard is now owned by Chapel Down.

Established in 1992, Chapel Down moved to Tenterden in 1995, to the site of Stephen Skelton’s vineyard, where they took over both vineyard and winery. A merger in 2000 saw them increase markedly in size, employing a mix of vineyard ownership and long term contracts with thirteen different growers. The crown jewel in their holdings is Kit’s Coty, a very special chalk-based vineyard in the North Downs in the south-east of England. For many years the official wine of the annual Oxford and Cambridge boat race was Bollinger. It’s now Chapel Down. They are also the official wine of the Royal Ascot. Chapel Down’s sparkling rose was poured at the weddings of William and Kate, and Harry and Meghan.

Having spent last year scouring the southern coast of England in search of the best, we’re very pleased to have Chapel Down’s wines and spirits now sitting comfortably on our shelves alongside the equally eminent English producers, Gusbourne. Read More..

VINTAGE 2012

2012 was a vintage of extremes, with the winter damp and the vintage challenged. However, the end of winter was warm and dry, followed by a moist spring and a very warm summer. The resulting berries were very small, the quantity tiny. These extremes have produced a very distinctive vintage. Charles Philipponnat is quoted as saying 2012 ‘is somewhere between 2002 and 1959, two of Champagne’s greatest vintages.’

Pinot Noir seems to have particularly enjoyed the conditions, with the Pinot-based wines currently leading the pack. Unlike their nonvintage brethren, which are tailored for

immediate consumption, vintage champagnes are crafted to develop with age, and the balance of these 2012s will see them evolve beautifully. Read More..

RIESLING THE UNDERRATED GRAPE

Indisputably one of the great white grapes, Riesling is also the most misunderstood. An aromatic variety that is generally fragrant and attractive, it characteristically has a very high acidity that tends to be racy, raspy and quite high-toned. Texturally, the wines cover the full gambit, ranging in style from delicate, to forward and edgy, to rich and weighty. They move from bone-dry through to the greatest sweet wines in the world, with alcohol levels varying from low single digits to around 13-14%. Riesling has a wonderful ability to age; the very best can last for decades, developing a complex set of characters as they do so. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more,

unlike many of the great wines of the world, excellent Rieslings are not expensive. This is the upside (for we, the consumers, that is) of being underrated. Riesling can grow in a variety of climates around the world; it tends to favour the world’s cooler parts, but cannot be ruled out of more temperate climes like Alsace, where the Riesling wines are exceptional. The wines below are all NZ expressions, our cool conditions suiting the variety and ensuring great fruit purity and high acidity, characters that define a great Riesling. All of this tends to hint at why Riesling is so often misunderstood: it’s a variable, everchanging character, and frequently not labelled with anything helpful that would tell you what to expect. We’ve made our own adaptation of the four-point Riesling scale and applied it to our Rieslings. Our scale is not about the technical analysis, but rather about whether the wine tastes dry, medium-dry, medium-sweet or sweet.

FAMILY OF TWELVE | KHYBER PASS & VICTORIA PARK

KHYBER PASS WHEN: Wednesday 12 February 2020 WHERE: Glengarry Khyber Pass, 409 Khyber Pass Rd, Newmarket

The Family of Twelve is a fraternity of twelve of our most prestigious and enduring artisanal wineries. Their goal is the promotion of New Zealand wine at its best, and the nurturing of long-term relationships via an exchange of information and ideas. Contrasting personalities, different wine regions and a variety of styles make up the twelve siblings, and they celebrate those differences while combining their individual strengths. KHYBER PASS

TIME: 6.00pm

VICTORIA PARK WHEN: Thursday 13 February 2020 WHERE: Glengarry Victoria Park, 118 Wellesley St West Auckland TIME: 7.00pm

We will be conducting a walk-around tasting featuring two wines from each of the Family of Twelve members. VICTORIA PARK We will be conducting a workshop tasting involving three flights of four Family of Twelve wines featuring aromatics, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

MOUNT EDEN GIN CLUB | THE WEIRD AND THE WONDERFUL Among the recent global explosion, the alchemy aspect of gin distillation has led to the creations of weird and wonderful derivatives. Be it experimental and boundary pushing ingredients, the use of various casks, colours of bright pink and deep purple, or all of the above, there isn’t much the craft gin distillers haven’t tried. Tonight, we dive head first into the wonderland, tasting these creations neat, before mixing recipes recommended by the distillers themselves. This is not a night to miss! PS, yes there will be rose gin styles, a perfect date for Valentine's eve.

WHEN: Thursday 13 February 2020 WHERE: Glengarry Mount Eden, 417 Mount Eden Road TIME: 7.00pm

JACK DANIELS WITH JAK JAKICEVICH Bring in 2020 with our first tasting of the decade celebrating one of the worlds most iconic and time honoured brands, Jack Daniels. Since 1866, Jack Daniels has spread from its home in Lynchburg Tennessee to be sold all over the world. Innovative charcoal filtering, an on-site cooperage that sustains countless other distilleries and a smooth, layered and timeless whiskey that continues to warm hearts all over the world. WHEN: Wednesday 19 February WHERE: Glengarry Ponsonby, 54 Jervois Rd Ponsonby TIME: 7.00pm

You will have the privilege of being hosted by Glengarry’s own Jak Jakicevich who is an absolute lover of all things Jack Daniels. There is not a more passionate or dedicated expert to take us on this journey exploring the range Jack Daniels has to offer. One not to be missed!

EXPLORE CHABLIS Chablis is the northern most region of Burgundy and home to nothing but Chardonnay. However, this is not Chardonnay as we know it in New Zealand. Chablis can be steely, acidic and lean, but it is also delicate with white floral notes and a perfect balance of minerality. These characteristics also mean that Chablis lends itself to many great food pairings, such as fresh fish and sushi, as well as rich sauces, with the acidity able to cut through the richness. We will taste through village wines to some new Grand Cru wines that have only just landed. This tasting will give you yet another perspective on the chameleon that we know simply as Chardonnay.

WHEN: Wednesday 19 February WHERE: Glengarry Thorndon, 53 Hutt Road Pipitea TIME: 6.00pm

CHAMPAGNE SALON 2008 TASTING EXPERIENCE | AUCKLAND

WHEN: Thursday 20 February 2020 WHERE: TBC Glengarry Wines Auckland TIME: 7.00pm

The mythical Champagne Salon is one of the world's greatest wines. Created by one man, they only make one wine, from one village, one variety, and only ever produced in exceptional vintages. The 2008 is only the 38th vintage to be released since the inaugural 1921. 100% Chardonnay from Les Mesnil-sur-Oger in the heart of the Cote des Blancs, the 2008 is the smallest harvest, and possibly the greatest ever at Salon. Only 8000 Magnums were produced, available to purchase only in the Oenotheque case, along with special late disgorged versions of the 2004, 2006 and 2007. We have special permission to open one just for this event. This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to try all four of these wines together. We will also be tasting the stunning new 2012 vintage release from Salon's sister house of Delamotte. Our Fine Wine manager and Salon aficionado, Regan McCaffery, will lead us through the history and stories behind this legendary champagne. Read more...

GRAND BORDEAUX TOUR If you’re some sort of Bordeaux aficionado, or even if you’ve just thought you might like to be, this is a very special tasting event that you really shouldn’t miss. We are extremely elated to be hosting the largest group of chateaux from the legendary Bordeaux region ever to be assembled in New Zealand. Estates from across the region are sending their representatives here specifically for the occasion. All of the chateaux attending will all be presenting their wines from the amazing 2016 vintage. The more time these spend in bottle, the clearer it is that this is one of the finest years ever for Bordeaux, better even than the famed 2015s. This will be a walk-around event, held from 4.30pm to 6.30pm, where you will be able to move between one chateau and the next and talk with them as you taste their wines.

WHEN: Tuesday 10 March WHERE: Glengarry Victoria Park, 118 Wellesley St West Auckland TIME: 4.30pm

Book your tickets now! Read more to see the properties attending...

GRAND BORDEAUX DINNER A fantastic dinner with ten guests from top Bordeaux estates. They are all here for one night only, so this is a very rare and special occasion. It’s your opportunity to enjoy a beautiful three-course meal with them, one of whom who will be joining each table. Each of the estates will be providing an older vintage of their Grand Vin to enjoy. The dinner will be held in the picturesque setting that is Westhaven’s Sails Restaurant. WHEN: Tuesday 10 March WHERE: Sails Restaurant 103-113 Westhaven Drive Westhaven Marina TIME: 7.15pm

The wines we’ll be drinking with dinner will be from...

GRAND BORDEAUX TOUR AND DINNER COMBINED TICKET This is such a brilliant occasion that we thought we’d offer you the best of both worlds and put the two events together at a special discounted price. We start at Glengarry Victoria Park with the Grand Bordeaux Tour between 4:30pm and 6:30pm. Here you’ll have time to walk around at your leisure and taste the stunning 2016 releases with the chateaux’ representatives. Then move with us to Sails Restaurant in Westhaven from 7:15pm for the Grand Bordeaux Dinner, where we’ll be enjoying older vintages from the chateaux in the company of each estate. Book your tickets now! Read more...

WHEN: Tuesday 10 March WHERE: Glengarry Victoria Park, 118 Wellesley St West Auckland & Sails Restaurant 103-113 Westhaven Drive Westhaven Marina TIME: 4.30pm

GLENGARRY WINE ACADEMY | STAGE THREE

A four-week course | Wednesday 18th March, Wednesday 25th March, Wednesday 1st April, and Wednesday 8th April | The course fee and content covers all four weeks.

WHEN: Wednesday 18 March WHERE: Glengarry Victoria Park, 118 Wellesley St West Auckland TIME: 7.00pm

Over the last 20+ years, the Glengarry Wine Academy has established itself as one of the leading wine educators in New Zealand. Initially created to train Glengarry staff, it is also widely used by the hospitality industry and wine enthusiasts. Informative, but never intimidating, the Glengarry Wine Academy courses are an opportunity for beginners as well as experienced aficionados to expand their knowledge and develop their interest. For only the third time, a third stage of our Wine Academy is being offered. This course has been written recently and follows on from stage 1 and 2. In stage 1 you learn about the varieties; stage 2 you explore their differing personalities around the world. Now in stage 3 you take a major look at key wine making regions in the world. This course dives under the cover, you learn all about the great wines of Bordeaux, Burgundy and many more. Read more...

GLENGARRY WINE ACADEMY |

STAGE TWO Over the last 20+ years, the Glengarry Wine Academy has established itself as one of the leading wine educators in New Zealand. Initially created to train Glengarry staff, it is also widely used by the hospitality industry and wine enthusiasts. Informative, but never intimidating, the Glengarry Wine Academy courses are an opportunity for beginners as well as experienced aficionados to expand their knowledge and develop their interest. In stage 1 you learn about the varieties, stage 2 you explore their differing personalities around the world. In Stage 3 you take a major look a key wine making regions in the world. This course dives under the cover, you learn all about the great wines of Bordeaux, Burgundy and many more. Read more...

That's it for this week's Sunday Sediment. Issue One Hundred and Thirty-Three will be winging its way to your inbox next Sunday.

Cheers,

Jak Jakicevich

A four-week course | Wednesday 6th May, Wednesday 13th May, Wednesday 20th May, and Wednesday 27th May all starting 7pm. The course fee covers content for all four weeks.

WHEN: Wednesday 6 May WHERE: Glengarry Victoria Park, 118 Wellesley St West Auckland TIME: 7.00pm