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While there are two resignations from the present Committee, six people are staying on. Club members have been approached for new positions, and numbers are now back to eight for the new committee.
Member support
It was great to have everyone help with the tables and chairs at the start of last month’s meeting and take the same down after the meeting. Also, take the table’s contents: spittoons/water jugs/cracker plates back to the kitchen. Could we please continue this new routine?
Arrival times
We can’t arrive to do the setting up activities any earlier than 7:30 pm as we interrupt the cleaner(s) schedule; the cleaners are in the hall until 7:30 pm.
This was an interesting evening full of updated information about the Esk Valley region and touching on areas of Portugal that most members present hadn’t been to, yet.
The variety of wines was great, beginning with Linden Sparkling Rosé from Esk Valley, a blend of Merlot and Pinotage, a delicious start to the evening. The rest of the evening’s selection was:
Confidencial Reserva Rosé – 10-grape blend
2020 Casa Santos Lima Chardonnay
2022 Moutere Hills Riesling
2020 Waipara Downs Pinot Noir
2020 Confidencial Tinto-Red – 10 grape blend
2019 Mosaico De Portugal
2017 Colossal Reserva Casa Santos Lima
Parcelas Portuguese Tawny Port
Most of the wines for the evening had received at least one gold medal in competitions, with some receiving 10 gold medals.
The main function venue at a Hunter region winery was engulfed by flames on Thursday night, taking more than 50 firefighters about 4½ hours to put it out.
NSW Rural Fire Service received calls regarding a possible fire at Tamburlaine Organic Wines on McDonald’s Road in Pokolbin at about 9.30 pm.
Inspector Ben Shepherd said that when crews drove towards the winery, they could see a large glow from the area and called in more firefighters.
“When crews arrived, one of the main structures was already alight,” he said.
Tamburlaine Organic Wines during the fire.
“It was a very large building and, when you’re getting fires in more rural areas, water can be an issue.”
While there was a dam onsite, the structure was already well alight as crews were trying to relay water quickly and went into defensive firefighting.
“It took crews until after 2am and required more than 50 firefighters to put out the flames,” Shepherd said.
There were no reported injuries, but he said the main function area was “basically destroyed”.
The winery’s managing director Mark Davidson said a major storm came through about 6pm and the venue most likely attracted lightning as it had a tin roof.
The function venue at Tamburlaine Organic Wines in Pokolbin in the Hunter region was engulfed by flames on Thursday night. Image: NSW RFS
“When we first came out, it was really not a building it was a bonfire,” he said.
“The investigators are looking into what they can see as evidence for what caused it, but it was too much of a coincidence that a domestic electrical storm preceded it by a short period of time.”
Davidson was in his home about 100 metres away from the building on fire and said he didn’t hear the flame because of the wind direction.
A Hunter region winery was engulfed by flames on Thursday night, taking more than 50 firefighters about four-and-a-half hours to put it out.
“Fortunately, some passer-by was able to alert the fire brigade and they were here before we could ring them; they were fantastic,” he said.
The immediate damage control for Davidson has been to rearrange weddings that had been booked for the weekend and coming weeks.
“This is wedding season, so we were more concerned about that and making sure that we contain the damage to just one building,” he said.
The building on the winery was mainly used for weddings and major functions. Davidson said they plan to rebuild it as soon as possible.
“We’ll move as quickly as we can to replace it, that’s my current thoughts,” he said.
Tamburlaine Organic Wines’ Hunter winery was purchased in 1985 and centres on creating organic, vegan-friendly wines.
12 April – New Zealand and Portuguese Wines with Victor Kattenbelt, Confidant Wines. Check out…
10 May – Cellar Club AGM – The AGM Agenda was emailed with April’s newsletter. We would ask you to note that if you have any Notices of Motion, these need to be in the hands of the Secretary – Jenny Jebson – by 19th April ’23.
Your committee continues to review how it operates, particularly in trying to work out which tasks need to remain with the committee and which can be delegated.
This review is timely, given that two of the committee are stepping aside for the coming year, and we need to ensure that we have a good match of skills to match the roles being vacated.
This process will only work if members continue to provide us with their support when asked. Thanks.
Hall setup
We also continue to be delighted and thankful for everyone’s help with the hall setup for our gatherings and then the pack down at the end of the evening.
But please remember: We can’t arrive to do the setting up activities any earlier than 7:30 pm as we interrupt the cleaner(s) schedule, who has the hall until that time.
If you drilled down from New Zealand through the earth’s centre, where would you come out, Iberia? If it were not in Spain, it would level with the wine heart of Portugal.
Therefore, there must be something special that links the viticulture and the wines of our two countries.
Victor from Confidant Wines will present a mix of special boutique wines from New Zealand, some wonderful new wines from Portugal, and several repeated favourites.
This is your chance to try some new varieties and vineyards and support one Hawkes Bay vineyard (with a great sparkling Rosé) that was impacted after the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle. The evening will take a small journey from Hawkes Bay to Nelson to Waipara in North Canterbury; and then to Portugal with an array of blended wines and, to finish, a Tawny Port. Be prepared to be impressed.
We will see the influence of terroir in Waipara wines, the influence of climate on Nelson wine, what makes Hawkes Bay special, and some delicious red styles from award-winning Casa Santos Lima vineyard in Portugal. The Portuguese selection will focus on new vintages and some previous wines that were very popular and still available. Do you remember Waipara Pinot Blanc? Something new, something known, gold medals, new vintages, comparisons and varieties to experience. This array of wines has been specially selected we believe to suit the members’ preferences for this tasting.
In summary, we will kick off with a Linden (NZ) Sparkling Rosé, followed by a Portuguese Rosé and two classic NZ white wines, Riesling and a Viognier or Chardonnay. We will then compare the new award winning Portuguese Confident red and a blended Mosaico red with a NZ Pinot Noir. We will conclude with a delicious Tawny Port from the home of all great ports.
We look forward to enjoying these wines with you. Please remember your tasting glasses.
For a number of years, the Club has benefited from a stable committee which has been a blessing as we have had to meet a number of challenges, especially how to cope with Covid.
However, two of the committee have signalled that they would like to step down from their roles which raises the exciting prospect that the AGM will provide a new infusion of blood to continue the successful operation of our club.
Non-Committee Roles
There are a number of tasks that the committee carry out that strictly have nothing to do with the decision-making of the committee, so would not involve someone having to attend monthly meetings, but everything to do with how the Club conducts its successful tasting evenings.
Your committee is considering if some of these tasks could be delegated to the general membership, and we may seek volunteers to fulfil these roles at our monthly tastings.
Watch this space for more information.
The Club Cellar
Most members know that Derek Thompson is our Cellar Master, and this vital and important non-committee role means that Derek looks after the 80 to 90 bottles of wine that we carry forward for future use at tastings etc.
Derek is currently looking to downsize and the Club is now faced with the real likelihood that we will need to rehouse our cellar sometime later this year. We believe that our wines can adequately be stored in a recycled lockable metal cabinet that has a footprint of 1050mm x 470mm and a height of 1770mm, which the Club would supply, if required.
If you have a space in your garage, or rumpus room, that could house this cabinet and its contents, then can you please let Wayne know [0274523802 or email] and he will contact you to discuss this role in more detail. Thanks
AGM
And whilst on the subject of the AGM, if there is a matter you would like to raise, we would appreciate a heads-up before the AGM so it can be investigated and a considered response offered at the meeting, thanks.
Thank you
It was great to have everyone help with the tables and chairs at the start of last months’ meeting and taking the same down after the meeting. Also taking the tables contents: spittoons/water jugs/cracker plates back to the kitchen.
Could we please continue this new routine.
PLEASE NOTE: We can’t arrive to do the setting up activities any earlier than 7:30pm as we interrupt the cleaner(s) schedule, the cleaners are in the hall until 7:30pm.
With most of the club familiar with Australian wines, but not necessarily Victoria wines, this was an interesting introduction for most of us.
Keith introduced firstly, Mount Langhi (Ghiran) is an extremely famous cool climate-based winery in the Grampian range of Northern Victoria, established 1969 by the Fratin Family.
Secondly, we were introduced to Yering Station is an acclaimed producer almost as famous for its cellar door and restaurant as their amazing Yarra Valley Wines. Originally the first grapes were planted in 1838 by the Ryrie brothers.
The styles included a Prosecco to start [yes it was sourced and made in Australia], as well as two each of Chardonnay, Pinot and Shiraz. That everyone present enjoyed Keith’s presentation and wines was reflected in the excellent orders received. Thanks again to Keith and EuroVintage for their continued support of our club.
UPDATE: We have just been advised that these are now in transit from the Auckland Warehouse, despite the logistical delays [weather issues etc.] and will be delivered to you, via Murray, either this weekend, or early next week.
3-4 raspberries or strawberries, plus extra to serve 30ml Chambord 750ml sparkling Rosé
Add 3-4 raspberries [or strawberries] into a cocktail shaker and muddle
Add Chambord to cocktail shaker, stir gently
Strain raspberry [or strawberries] and Chambord mixture into a Champagne flute
Top with chilled sparkling Rosé
Garnish with extra fruit and a mint leaf (opt) on a cocktail pick or toothpick.
The eighth year of the popular wine celebration is fast approaching and now is the perfect time to get your pink party plans in order.
Love Local – Rosé lovers in NZ have found a taste for lighter, drier, more savoury styles such as those you would find in Provence and Kiwi wineries are responding to consumer preferences by successfully crafting Rosé wines inspired by iconic French estates
It Pairs Perfectly – Rosé is incredibly food-friendly and pairs with a variety of dishes and cuisines. Invite family and friends over for Rosé o’clock, a pink long lunch, or Rosé dinner party on the day.
There’s a Style for Everyone – NZ wineries are producing a delicious line-up of top-quality Rosé wines that are fruit-forward, crisp and sophisticated. Wine lovers are spoilt with a wide variety of styles, sweetness levels and price points now, with the premium Rosé category experiencing a significant increase over the years.
NZ Rosé Keeps Rising – Rosé is the fastest growing wine style in the country and sales have doubled in recent years.NZ made Rosé is not only popular at home, but the locally made pink drink is now the fourth largest NZ wine export.
A huge 7.9 million litres have been exported globally in 2021, which is double of 2018 when NZ exported 8.6 million litres of Rosé and 10 times that of 2010 at just 0.56 million litres, according to NZ Winegrowers statistics.
According to IWSR Drinks Market Analysis, the Rosé category is forecasted to grow by almost 70 percent from 2020 to 2024.
Wednesday 8th February, 7.45 pm Door Price: Members $14 / Guests $18
Victoria’s wine regions. labelwines.com
There is much to admire and emulate in the wines of Australia. For many members such wines may well be amongst your favourites. Perhaps such wines are from South Australia, perhaps Western Australia, but for this tasting to kick the year off for the club we are highlighting Victoria.
For many wine enthusiasts the wines of this state fly under the radar. If so, you are missing a treat. On a much smaller scale than the neighbouring South Australian state, the wines of Victoria have their own charm, distinctiveness and award-winning status. And some plantings are indeed old vines.
As with NZ there are a number of different vineyard regions within the Victorian state and some well-known vineyards which we will explore under the guidance of Keith Tibble from EuroVintage, who is very well acquainted with these wines.
Across the state from the south (Mornington) to the central near Melbourne (Yarra Valley) to the interior (Grampians , Murray River) there is a diversity and quality that elicits awards and a dedicated following
Mount Langhi (Ghiran)
…is a highly famous cool climate-based winery in the Grampian range of Northern Victoria. Established in 1969 by the Fratin Family, the site had been planted (like Hawkes Bay’s Te Mata ) back in the late 1890s; after one poor and challenging year in 1980, the Fratins decided they needed a consultant and hired the noted winemaker Trevor Mast. Six years later, Trevor his wife and partner Ian Menzies purchased the varied blocks. They started to develop the concept of Cool Climate (Victorian) Shiraz, a personal vision of Trevor that has led Mount Langhi to be regarded as one of Australia’s greatest shiraz producers. We will taste two shiraz wines, the superb but great value Billi Billi and the superb ‘Mast’ awarded 96/100 in Decanter.
Yering Station
…is an acclaimed producer almost as famous for its cellar door and restaurant as their amazing Yarra Valley Wines. Originally the first grapes were planted in 1838 by the Ryrie brothers; this was Victoria’s first winery and was the largest Victorian vineyard right up to the 1980s. Purchased by the Rathbone Family in 1996, Yering Station is sister to Yarrabank, a sparkling producer jointly owned by a champagne House Devaux. However, Yering is famous for its Burgundy style wines – Chardonnay and Pinot Noir – and we will taste the legendary reserve chardonnay along with two superb Pinots, the superb Yering station 2021 and the unique value Village 2021.
Victoria, Australia tasting with Keith Tibble, February 2023
A well-kept secret of the international wine scene, and certainly the most diverse wine-growing state in Australia, is Victoria. [Wine Folly]Something about Victoria suggests that it is easily accessible to members directly from Melbourne when they travel, the state flies under the wine radar, and there are several other sub-regions of significant note, such as Mornington and Rutherglen and along the Murray River, so this will be an evening different from the South Australian wines that we have had previously.
March – Forrest Estate
One not to miss out on. Wines continue to impress after more than 30 years.
![A well-kept secret of the international wine scene, and certainly the most diverse wine-growing state in Australia, is Victoria. [Wine Folly]](https://member.cellarclub.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2023-01-01-Jan.jpg)
