Empty Nester

 

I met my stepdaughter when she was 8 years old. Cute as a button and a tad stroppy. A smart wee munchkin with a fringe. She decided that she should meet Mum’s new boyfriend to see if she approved.

 

Invited to lunch, I barely passed muster (she later told her Mum that she could have done better). But eventually I moved in and married her mother. In no time, we bonded over Harry Potter, Dad jokes and tucking-in every night. “Just one more chapter – oh please! Please!” I was finally given by her, the official title of Also-Dad in acknowledgement of my new co-parental role.

Last weekend almost ten years to the day, we all drove down to Wellington in my wine tour coach (packed to bursting with young person stuff. Don’t get me started). We dropped her off and installed her at her Victoria University residence, as a lovely, mature and very bright young woman with a great future twinkling in the near distance.

Now, it had been my personal mission to educate her in wine knowledge over the years. She has an exceptionally good palate. But sadly, she did not warm to wine, despite my frequent encouragement. And now - to my utter dismay, her preferred drink is gin! In particular - Four Pillars Chardonnay Barrel Gin ($150 a bottle.)

Anyway, here are some wines that Also-Dad approves of. Harrumph!

 

Fox ‘Le Cadet’ Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2019 $19.00
Very approachable, and another example of a gentler take on the pungent savs that pour out of Marlborough. Light, soft and just slightly sweet. Favours of freshly squeezed black currants and gooseberry, with soft acids and a tangy guava finish.
Available: Meldrum Philips

Main Divide North Canterbury Riesling 2018 $19
Soft acids and great as an aperitif or match for seafood. Retains a little bit of natural CO2 from the ferment to give it a tiny spritz of bubbles. Almost sweet, at 12% alcohol. Grapefruit marmalade, Mayer lemonade, Manuka honey and a hint of beeswax on the finish.
Available: Glengarry

Pegasus Bay Waipara Valley Riesling 2018 $30
Another ripper from Pegasus Bay. Big flavours of orange marmalade, grapefruit and nectarine with a sweet hint of clover honey and beeswax. Hits the palate as sweet on impact, then dry and lengthy with a tangy citrus finish. Again, a fab match with Asian seafood.
Available: Glengarry

Pegasus Bay Waipara Valley Bel Canto Dry Riesling 2019 $38
Aromas of beeswax and grapefruit marmalade. Slightly spritzig. Lots of citrus fruit – grapefruit and lime. Plus, peach and nectarine, with a hint of muscatel raisins and a lengthy dry finish. Yum. I am matching it tonight with home-made Thai prawn curry. (Wish me luck).
Available: Glengarry

Easthope Family Winegrowers Two Terraces Gamay Noir 2019 $38
Gamay noir is the ‘Beaujolais’ grape in from southern France, best known as Beaujolais Noveau – the very young light bodied red. This wine, on the other hand is a ripe and voluptuous red more akin to a pinot noir. Savoury, generous and silky with truffle and soy and a huge hit of ripe dark cherry. Fabulous wine. Great match for duck, beef or mushroom dishes.
Available: Pt. Chev Organic Wines.

Domaine des Pothiers Eclipse Methode Ancestrale 2019 $37
Another take on gamay noir, this time from French producers and created by the oldest winemaking method to create sparkling wines. I.e. via a fermentation where the yeast residue stays in the bottle. Slightly sweet, with fine beaded bubbles and flavours of ripe cherry, sour cherry, and plum, with a yeasty cider crisp finish. Highly recommended.
Available: Pt. Chev Organic Wines. Also at Daphne’s Bar & Taverna 71 Ponsonby Rd.

No 1 Family Estate Marlborough Virginie 2016 $98
A vintage Méthode Traditionelle crafted especially by Daniel le Brun as a tribute to his lovely daughter Virginie. The wine is only made in exceptional vintages. Bone dry, 80% chardonnay, 20% pinot Noir. Elegant restrained nose, with flavours of nectarine, honey and yeasty croissant, with a silky, long dry finish.
Available: www.no1familyestate.co.nz

Phil runs wine tours in Auckland New Zealand