Another
year rolls by, and here we are heading for Christmas and New Year - with
holidays for most of us, and a chance to celebrate with friends and family. Here’s
to sand between the toes, the smell of sunscreen and cricket on the radio.
And it is always
good to have some special wines to share with your nearest and dearest – something
out of the ordinary. Perhaps some of those special occasion wines to haul out
of your dusty subterranean cellar. Or (more likely) grab one from the local
liquor outlet in a mad rush before all the shops shut.
By all
means have a stock of good affordable quaffers and beer for the drop-in
visitors, but a little extra effort is worth it for family dinners and special
friends.
Happy
Holidays!
Extremely good bottle fermented Champagne style from a small family-owned winery in Kumeu. Has picked up many medals overseas and in NZ. Creamy crisp texture, fine beads of bubbles, toasty and mouth filling. A blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, grown in Marlborough. Available from Soljans winery www.soljans.co.nz
Pares Balta Cava Catalonia Spain $22.79
Produced from three indigenous Spanish grapes – parellada, macabeu and xarel-lo. (Just don’t ask me to pronounce them).This is a bone dry crisp sparkler. Mineral, yeasty aromas lead on to a clean and crisp palate of brioche and soda water with a hint of Granny Smith apple and citrus. Available from Richmond Road Liquor
‘French Cancan’ Brut Blanc de Blancs
NV (by Cattier) $19.95
Easy drinking and affordable French sparkler with a delicate mousse, fruity, refreshing and silky. Pale golden colour with aromas of white peach and citrus fruits. Delicate palate of stone fruit and nougat. Ideal as an aperitif, but can also be enjoyed with food. Available from Fine Wine Delivery Company
Easy drinking and affordable French sparkler with a delicate mousse, fruity, refreshing and silky. Pale golden colour with aromas of white peach and citrus fruits. Delicate palate of stone fruit and nougat. Ideal as an aperitif, but can also be enjoyed with food. Available from Fine Wine Delivery Company
Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve NV $69.25
From a renowned Champagne house. Aromas of nougat and soda water.
Fine persistent beaded bubbles in the class. Very elegant with yeasty flavours of brioche, plus raw almond and a hint of citrus mandarin. A clean and bone dry mineral finish. Available from Fine Wine Delivery Company, Caro's and First Glass.
From a renowned Champagne house. Aromas of nougat and soda water.
Fine persistent beaded bubbles in the class. Very elegant with yeasty flavours of brioche, plus raw almond and a hint of citrus mandarin. A clean and bone dry mineral finish. Available from Fine Wine Delivery Company, Caro's and First Glass.
Phil runs wine & food tours in Auckland NZ
