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Wine Tastings

Te Mata's New Release Sneak Preview

Thursday 2 September, 6.00 pm start, Cost $25.00 pp. Limit 30 places
Te Mata Estate set the standards for the wine industry in so many different ways. The track record has been impeccable for three decades, and the wines accurately reflect what Hawke’s Bay does superbly. As Te Mata has progressed, the quality has been continually raised and the wines have become better value as the pricing has stabilized over recent years. We are extremely pleased to welcome Te Mata’s winemaker Phil Brodie in this presentation of the newest vintage releases including the excellent and accessible wines from Te Mata Estate‘s ‘Woodthorpe’ vineyard as well as a look at some of the current flagship wines. And to make things particularly interesting there will be a special focus on the Viognier and Syrah wines which will include back vintages.

The wines we will be tasting are the brand new Woodthorpe vineyard releases, the 2010 Sauvignon Blanc and Gamay Noir, the 2009 Chardonnay and Syrah, and the 2008 Merlot/Cabernet. We will also taste the 2009 ‘Cape Crest’ Sauvignon and new 2009 ‘Elston’ Chardonnay. Then the Rhone feature of 2009 and 2008 ‘Zara’ Viogniers plus new 2009 ‘Bullnose’ Syrah served alongside the 2007 and 2005. Hawke’s Bay and Te Mata have enjoyed a brilliant run of vintages in recent times and these wines will demonstrate this clearly.

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Spade Oak - Gisborne's Innovative Winegrower

Monday 6 September, 6.00 pm start, Cost $25.00 pp, Limit 30 places
A most innovative and exciting producer is emerging from Gisborne. The Spade Oak wines must be some of the most interesting to come onto the market. They are the brainchild of Eileen and Steve Voysey who have been key and long-time players in the New Zealand wine industry, Eileen in grape-growing for over 15 years and Steve as a winemaker for over 20 years. The Voysey family have 4 hectares of vines planted in the heart of the Gisborne wine region, where they have an incredibly brave and eclectic mix of varieties. The vineyard is dry farmed, with no irrigation and it is certified sustainable. The vines have been experimentally interplanted to achieve double the normal New Zealand density.
Spade Oak has released outstanding examples of Viognier and Chardonnay from the superb 2007 Gisborne vintage, a proportion of the stock sealed by the new German-designed ‘Vino-Lok closure; these wines have already been seen by many Regional Wines clientele. Now, the Voysey family with winemaker Ross Mirko on board, will release a much fuller selection of their ground-breaking wines. We welcome Eileen and Steve Voysey to Regional Wines in presenting from their more accessible ‘Heart of Gold’ tier, a 2010 Gruner Veltliner, 2009 vintages of Chardonnay/Viognier, a Pinot-esque St Laurent and Syrah/Tempranillo. From the premium ‘Spade Oak’ tier, we will taste a Viognier, Chardonnay, Syrah and Noble Viognier, all from the 2009 vintage. We will also taste the initial 2007 Viognier and Chardonnay releases which are drinking very well. The Spade Oak and Heart of Gold wines are truly exclusive, as the production sits between 50 and 140 dozen of each. With wines from Albarino, Marsanne, Petit Manseng and a Blanc de Blanc Methode Traditionnelle in the wings, Spade Oak and Heart of Gold are indeed labels to watch.

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Domaine Schlumberger: Steep – But Well Priced

Thursday 9 September, 6:00pm start, Cost: $50pp, Limit 30 places
Like many things in Alsace, the name is German but pronounced with a beautiful Gallic flourish – Schlum-bur-zhay.

The Domaine Schlumberger website proudly proclaims that they have been family owned since 1810 and only vinify fruit grown on their own vineyards. This privileged position is helped by the fact that Ernest Schlumberger shrewdly bought up and replanted many of his neighbours’ vineyards when phylloxera forced them off their land in the early 20th century.

Domaine Schlumberger’s vineyards are situated on the steep hillsides of Vosges (up to 50° slope) and have the best exposures (southwest, south, southeast). They still work with a team of four horses across their 140 hectares, of which 70 hectares are classified as Grand Cru. They are big fans of sustainability and have 60 hectares of organic vineyard as well as 30 that are farmed biodynamically.

Raymond here at Regional still remembers his ‘mon dieu’ moment with Alsatian wines was with a 1973 Domaine Schlumberger Christine VT Gewürztraminer, so he has a 140-hectare soft spot in his heart for Schlumberger wines. You will too after experiencing the texture and clarity of these stunning aromatics.

The wines we will taste:
  
- 2007 Les Princes Abbes Pinot Blanc
- 2006 Les Princes Abbes Riesling
- 2005 Grand Cru Kitterle Riesling
- 1999 Grand Cru Kitterle Riesling
- 2007 Les Princes Abbes Pinot Gris
- 2006 Grand Cru Kitterle Pinot Gris
- 2005 Grand Cru Kitterle Pinot Gris
- 2005 Les Princes Abbes Gewürztraminer
- 2006 Les Princes Abbes Gewürztraminer
- 2003 Grand Cru Kitterle Gewürztraminer 
- 2005 Grand Cru Kitterle Gewürztraminer
- 2006 Cuvee Christine Vendanges Tardive

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Villa Maria - Single Vineyard Specialist

Tuesday 14 September, 6.00 pm start, Cost $30.00 pp, Limit 30 places

As New Zealand's most successful winemaker in wine judging competitions, Villa Maria's quality is not only beyond reproach, but can be said to be at the forefront of what New Zealand is achieving. The best Villa Maria wines, those from the ‘Reserve' and ‘Single Vineyard' ranges are now exploring the envelope of wine style, complexity and individuality. Paramount to this evolution is the expression of single vineyard wines, for this leads ultimately to the realisation of how terroir is manifest, as it is in the regions of Piedmont, Germany and Burgundy. It is with great pleasure we welcome Nick Picone, Villa Maria's senior winemaker at the company's Auckland winery to lead us through a selection of the most exciting single vineyard wines made to date, several of them just off the bottling line! Nick conducted a tasting with us two years ago, and it was a truly memorable one. This tasting will be even better.

Nick will begin with four aromatic wines, demonstrating Villa Maria's expertise with these varied styles. A ‘Cellar Selection' Hawke's Bay Arneis 2010 is the first of this Italian variety by the company. Then a ‘SV – Seddon' Pinot Gris 2009, the ‘SV – Ihumatao' Gewurztraminer 2010, with a ‘SV – Omahu Gravels' Viognier 2009. Villa Maria has had a magnificent track record with Chardonnay, and at this tasting, Nick will focus on examples from the North Island with a ‘Reserve' Gisborne Barrique Fermented Chardonnay 2009, ‘SV – Keltern' Chardonnay 2009, ‘SV – Ihumatao' Chardonnay 2009. It would be agreed now that Villa Maria's Marlborough Pinot Noirs can foot it with the very best of Marlborough if not all of New Zealand. Numerous tastings and competitions have proven this. Nick will show the ‘SV – Southern Clays' Pinot Noir 2009, plus the ‘SV – Seddon' Pinot Noir, in 2009 and 2007 vintages. The tasting will finish with a pair of Hawke's Bay reds, what the region does best in Villa Maria's examples in a ‘Cellar Selection' Syrah 2008 and the ‘SV – Omahu Gravels' Merlot 2006, to show top quality at different tiers and individuality from site. This will be a significant tasting of one of our most important wineries.
 
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Brown Brothers' Best At The General Practitioner

Wednesday 15 September, 7.00 pm for Bubbles and Canapes, Cost $110.00 pp, Limit 35 places Venue: The General Practitioner, 100 Willis Street, Wellington Bookings: The General Practitioner, Tel: 04 499-6001
The combination of the best Brown Brothers wines with the cuisine at The General Practitioner will be one of good, down-to-earth heartiness, with a touch of class by way of the highest quality possible, but with approachability and honesty as the philosophy. The wines of Brown Brothers are indeed as up-front and honest as you can get. Founded in 1855, the Brown family has had four generations at the winemaking helm and in the running of the company. The track record of this north-east Victorian producer at Milawa has been second to none in Australia. New and exciting wine styles are always on the cards, but the strength of tradition has always been retained. The very best Brown Brothers wines are labelled under the ‘Patricia’ nomenclature, a tribute to the wife of John Charles, son of founder John Francis Brown. This dinner will be based on a selection of these wines.

The General Practitioner was created to offer the best in New Zealand craft beer and food and it quickly established a reputation for being the best ‘gastropub’ on the way. ‘The GP’ was the national winner of the 2008 Monteiths Wild Food Challenge and has since won many local and national food awards. Though beer was the original basis for the food styling, wine has also become a feature and ‘The GP’ has received much acclaim for its superb wine and food paired dinners. This is due in no small part to the skill of head chef Andy Potts. Andy, a professional chef for 20 years came to ‘The GP’ following a star career in England, notably at the Fox Inn in the Cotswolds, which won the Michelin Pub of the Year in 2004.

Following are the wines to be presented by Ross Brown, the CEO of Brown Brothers, and the matched food courses created by Andy Potts of The General Practitioner:

Crayfish medallions with ribbons of pickled cucumber and Hot smoked salmon on brioche
‘Patricia’ Sparkling Pinot Noir/Chardonnay/Pinot Meunier 2005

Nelson scallop ceviche, finished with a scallop foam and micro green
‘Limited Release’ Pinot Grigio 2009

Wagyu bundnerfleisch with mizuna, parmesan, red onion jam and toasted nuts
‘Patricia’ Shiraz 2005

Venison backstrap rubbed with Moroccan spices, seared and served with parmentier potatoes tossed in parmesan and porcini gravy
‘Patricia’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Lemon, lime and Riesling tart, lightly caramelised and served with muscatels
‘Patricia’ Noble Riesling 2006

English Stilton, marinated for a month in Brown Brothers Tawny Port
Brown
Brothers Australian Tawny Port

Note: Bookings with The General Practitioner, Tel: 04 499-6001, not with Regional Wines



William Fevre Chablis 2008

Monday 20 September, 6.00 pm start, $90.00 pp, Limit 30 places
The 2008 vintage in Chablis is deemed to be one of the greats. It is with real anticipation that we conduct this tasting of the best Chablis wines of William Fevre from this superlative harvest. There has never been such interest in the wines of Chablis as there is now. The sheer style and purity of Chardonnay, grown in the Kimmeridgian chalk soils is the benchmark for all enthusiasts of this variety worldwide. Followers of Chablis wines regard William Fevre as one of the very great producers. Ownership since 1998 by the Henriot Champagne house has been significant investment to ensure the highest standards are met. The Fevre style combines richness and intensity of fruit with finesse, the wines made by Didier Séguier with appropriate, but sensitive oaking to ensure complexity. This combined with what is an outstanding vintage should result in a very special tasting.

Fevre has 47 hectares of vines in Chablis, 15.2 ha in grand cru sites including 4.11 in ‘Le Clos’ the top rated site. This tasting will focus on the very best of William Fevre, where we will taste wines from the premier and grand crus. Our pre-taster will be the 2008 Petit Chablis (as the AOC Chablis sold out very, very quickly. Then straight on to the premier crus of ‘Beauroy’, ‘Fourchaume’, ‘Mont de Tonnerre’, ‘Montmains’, ‘Vaillons’ and ‘Vaulorent’. The grand crus to be tasted will be ‘Bougros’, ‘Les Clos’, ‘Preuses’, ‘Valmur’ and ‘Vaudesir’. 12 wines in all. This will be an exceptional opportunity of not only exploring the subtle, but important differences between all these famous vineyard sites, but to experience Chablis at its best.

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Crossroads And 'The Talisman'

Monday 4 October, 6.00 pm start, Cost $30.00 pp, Limit 30 places
One of the most intriguing wines is ‘The Talisman’ from the Crossroads winery in Hawke’s Bay. The wine was conceived by Massey University lecturers Malcolm Reeves and Lester O’Brien, who, inspired by the likes of Te Mata ‘Coleraine’, wanted to create a high quality, individual red wine, quite different to anything ever produced in the country. The Crossroads winery was established in 1990 for that ultimate purpose, with a first release of ‘The Talisman’ being the 1994 vintage. The actual blend of ‘The Talisman’ was and still is a secret, all of the company staff sworn to secrecy as to the six varieties used and the proportions in the blend. The general consensus is that it is a Bordeaux-varietal based wine, with spice notes, complexing dark fruits and significant tannin structure from the inclusion of some exotics. Whatever the make-up, it is indeed a wine showing superb fruit and handling, many of the releases winning top awards over the years. This tasting features a mini-vertical tasting of ‘The Talisman’ from 2005 to 2008 and will include the yet-to-be released 2009.

On the way in producing ‘The Talisman’ Reeves and O’Brien also released an excellent range of varietal wines. Eventually, in 2000, Crossroads was purchased by Wellington financier Peter Cutfield and his wife Debbie, who made significant investments in upgrading all aspects of the operation from vineyards to winery plant. Then with the acquisition of The Crossings winery in Marlborough, the Cutfields grew a complete New Zealand wine business, named the Ager Sectus Wine Estates, now successful in the international markets. We welcome Crossroads winemaker Miles Dinneen in this tasting focusing on the Crossroads Hawke’s Bay wines, with the vertical of ‘The Talisman’ as a feature. The other wines to be tasted are the varietal 2009 Chardonnay and Merlot plus 2007 Gewurztraminer and Syrah wines, along with the Air N.Z. Wine Awards trophy-winning ‘Elms Reserve’ Syrah 2007. And as a first, we will be tasting the Crossroads ‘Premium’ Syrah, Merlot/Cabernet and Cabernet Franc wines all from the 2009 vintage. These new wines are deemed to be equivalent in quality level to ‘The Talisman’ by the Crossroads team. As a pre-taster, we will have the excellent, zesty 2009 The Crossings Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. There is a whole range of The Crossings wines to look at, but that’s another story…

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Guigal - The 2006 Cote-Rotie 'La Las' - Rescheduled

Wednesday 6 October, 6.00 pm start, Cost $125.00 pp, Limit 30 places
The annual tasting of the Guigal Cote-Rotie wines is the pre-eminent Rhone wine event at Regional Wines. The ‘La Mouline’, ‘La Landonne’ and ‘La Turque’ Cote-Rotie wines are seen by many wine loves as the ultimate expression of Syrah and of the northern Rhone. There is no denying their quality, as the wines have received the greatest praise from all of the wine press ever since they have been made. And the demand for the wines is phenomenal, the allocations for the world being stretched every year, despite the price increases that accompany their yearly release. The 2006s will retail for around $525.00 per bottle!

We have rescheduled this tasting from August when the date conflicted with several ‘Wellington on a Plate’ events, and the change will allow a number of wine industry personnel who were otherwise engaged to also attend. There will be 14 wines on show, and we have ensured there is a selection of the affordable, value wines, to show the progress Guigal has made in these offerings, suiting the mere mortals among us who wish to purchase something! We will have from the southern Rhone the 2007 Cotes du Rhone Blanc and 2006 Cotes du Rhone Rouge with 2006 Gigondas. Then into the northern Rhone whites, the 2008 Condrieu and ‘La Doriane’. The northern Rhone reds start with the 2006 Crozes-Hermitage, then 2006 St Joseph and 2007 St Joseph ‘Vignes de L’Hospices’ moving to the 2005 Hermitage and 2006 Hermitage ‘Ex Voto’. The highlight may well be the Cote-Rotie wines, comprising 2006 ‘Brune et Blonde’, ‘La Mouline’, ‘La Landonne’ and ‘La Turque’. These will be a privilege to taste.

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Bob Campbell's Wine Diploma Course - October 2010

Sunday 10 October, 9.00 am – 5.00 pm, Cost $245.00 pp, Limit 30 places Venue: Upstairs Tasting Room, Regional Wines & Spirits Cancellations: Unfortunately there can be no refunds on cancellations after Tuesday 5 October
Regional Wines is very pleased to advise that Bob Campbell MW will be conducting his Wine Diploma Course in the one day format in Wellington again on Sunday 10 October. Bob is one of only 280 Masters of Wine in the world, and he is New Zealand’s leading wine educator, having lectured to over 20,000 people since running his well-known courses from 1986. In the course, Bob will cover subjects such as: How to taste wine like a professional, his technique for fast-tracking your understanding of wine – a process he calls "wine profiling”, the language of wine, how to identify faulty wines, guidelines for matching wine and food, how the rules of cellaring, techniques for making every wine taste better and many others guaranteed to increase your enjoyment of wine. The fee of $245.00 includes all wines, a bound book of notes, and lunch. There is no exam to sit, and all attendees receive the diploma. The course is endorsed by many, and we highly recommend attending it for fun, education and inspiration, whether you are beginning in wine, or even making it! The courses that Bob ran at Regional Wines in April and June were extremely successful with fabulous feedback, and we anticipate there will be strong demand for the places at this final course of 2010.

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Staff Recommendations

RAYMOND

The Beefsteak & Burgundy Club of Tinakori met at Boulcott Street Bistro for the AGM. Boy, can Rex Morgan cook. The wines were great too...

DAVID

I attended an Advanced Bordeaux/Burgundy wine course and thoroughly enjoyed it..
Breaking News
31-Aug-2010 - We've got a tiny allocation of 2007 #Beaucastel Chateauneuf. It's a great vintage and will fly out the door Click Here
31-Aug-2010 - Relatively unknown Cobblestone Te Muna Pinot Noir 2009 tops Bragato Wine Awards. See the trophy winners here Click Here
31-Aug-2010 - Beefsteak & Burgundy Club of Timakori met for the AGM/lunch at Boulcott St Bistro. Great food and great wine Click Here
31-Aug-2010 - 2008 was a GREAT year in #Chablis. We're tasting a dozen Wm. Fevre Grand and 1er Crus on Mon 20 Sept. Book now! Click Here
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Te Mata's New Release Sneak Preview
Thursday 2 September, 6.00 pm start, Cost $25.00 pp. Limit 30 places

Spade Oak - Gisborne's Innovative Winegrower
Monday 6 September, 6.00 pm start, Cost $25.00 pp, Limit 30 places

Domaine Schlumberger: Steep – but well priced
Thursday 9 September, 6:00pm start, Cost: $50pp, Limit 30 places

Villa Maria - Single Vineyard Specialist
Tuesday 14 September, 6.00 pm start, Cost $30.00 pp, Limit 30 places

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