Want to try something new, and not already a member? Come on your own, grab a friend, workmate or partner and join us for our next tasting. Take a look and see who's presenting.
Borough Wines are all about giving back to the Community. Founded in 2020, when you buy Borough Wines all proceeds go to the Graeme Dingle Foundation to support child and youth development. All the grapes, winemaking, packaging and bottling have been donated by generous folks in the wine industry, so your dollars go further.
Today’s fast-paced technological change impacts on many levels within society; from education to employment, from communication to recreation. Our young people need to learn skills and strategies to develop into resilient people who can cope and thrive amongst this ongoing evolution and disruption. They need to learn how to work together, understand other perspectives, collaborate for mutual success, and how to bounce back from setbacks. The Graeme Dingle Foundation programmes support the development of these skills an values, so our youth are able to overcome the challenges they will inevitably face in life.
Borough’s 2023 Vintage Growers:
Rob Hammond, Longfield Marlborough
John Flanagan, Ben Glover, Mufaletta
The Palmers, Palmer Vineyard
The Weltons, Welton Vineyard Blenheim
Mark Taggart, Roses Vineyard
Ben McLauchlan, Rothay
James Jones, Starborough
Click into their website to see their supporters, among them Lion NZ, Wineworks Marlborough, Indevin NZ, Wither Hills, etc.
Kidney Kids is a non-profit organisation established in 1990 to support children with kidney disease and/or urinary tract disorders and their whānau nationwide. As Starship Children’s Health is the main hospital for children with chronic kidney disease, this can mean lengthy periods away from home for the child and their parent/caregiver. During this time away, Kidney Kids aims to help alleviate the stress by offering emotional and practical support to families while their child receives specialised medical treatment.
Last December, Wayne collected another trailer load of screwcaps from Anne, to which he added 3 bags of crushed Aluminium cans provided by a friend of his. These were then taken to Wellington Scrap Metals in Ngauranga Gorge and redeemed for $141 which was then donated to Kidney Kids.
So thank you everyone for bringing along your screwcaps and a special thank you to Anne for continuing to coordinate this activity.
Anne is collecting them to give to the Lions organised Kan Tabs for Kids. No food lids or beer tops, please. Save and bring them to the next monthly meeting.
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.
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.
As a courtesy, can we remind members to please listen when the invited presenters are presenting during their sessions? We will build in time during the presentations for discussion at your tables.
For those wondering what wine & tasting etiquette may be about, check out:
Your committee is again considering having our next Club dinner in the Courtenay Place area, close to public transport. This time we are considering going to the prestigious Istana Malaysia with a fixed banquet menu rather than individual meal choices. However, before further planning, we need to have a show of hands at the September tasting to gauge support for this idea. This is a spacious venue, great for BYO and well-established. If you can’t make the September tasting evening, please let the Editor know if you have any comments about this idea.
I’m inviting your wonderful wine club members to join me for a very fun and delicious wine dinner at Shed 5, at 6 pm on Tuesday, Sept 6th, with Brockenchack Wines.
Brockenwho? Brockenthewhatnow?
Well, they’re a tiny, family-owned winery, they’re from the Barossa, they’re finally here in New Zealand, and I’ve been a massive fan for years now. This is why I’m co-hosting this tasting, and I’m really hoping some of your club members will join me!
Tickets are $90 per person for delicious food, wonderful wine, and excellent banter, guaranteeing you’ll leave with new knowledge AND happy tastebuds.
Please forward this invitation to your members and instruct them to register today.
Seats are super-limited, just 40 seats – so be speedy! I’m looking forward to meeting you all on September 6th!
Warmest wishes and phone me anytime on 021 3 798 77 to discuss.
Ngā mihi nui
Yvonne
Missed episodes of Thirsty Work? Fret not, for groovy wine, beer & cider stories
The January BBQ at Derek’s was the start of our calendar year and was a lovely afternoon in the sun for the approximately 40 club members who came.
Thanks to Derek for letting us use his house for this event, Anne for her organising skills, Richard and Wayne for their culinary skills and to all those who supported the event, and their wine and food contributions.
In a change to previous years, the committee decided to eliminate the salmon and do a major upgrade in quality for the burgers and bangers. Wayne successfully approached the Cameron Harrison butchery shop on 4 Crofton Road, Ngaio and arranged for them to supply 48 x 100gm Venison patties and 60 Pork, Apple and Sage gourmet sausages at a very competitive price. Whilst still not cheap, it was evident from the feedback at the BBQ that this change was meet with wide appreciation, as their quality was excellent and the Cranberry sauce on the patties a wonderful accompaniment.
It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Brian Harris. He had been a member of the club for 24 years and served on our committee as both Treasurer and Secretary. In earlier times, Brian’s experience and contacts in the hospitality business engendered some memorable club dinners.
Notice: Harris, Brian
Of Johnsonville. Unexpectedly at Wellington Hospital on 29 June 2021. Mourned by his partner Cecilia; daughter Jackie and Margaret, Mark (dec), Helen, Jo and Allan; grandsons Brett, Shane, David, Bradley and Carl. Forever is never long enough to be with those we love.
Brian & Cecilia at Yangtze Restaurant – July Dinner 2008
In lieu of flowers, donations to Wellington Free Ambulance would be appreciated and may be left at the service. Messages for ‘The Family of Brian Harris’ may be sent c/- PO Box 50-347, Porirua 5240. A service for Brian will be held in St. John’s Anglican Church, 18 Bassett Road, Johnsonville, Wellington on Friday 2 July 2021 at 11.30 am.
Huon Hooke, June 5, 2021, The Sydney Morning Herald’s wine writer has released his Australia’s 52 top wineries: the 2021 list.
Bushfires, drought, export problems, a pandemic … the past year has thrown many challenges at Australian winemakers. Remarkably, though, their output quality has remained high. Here, Huon teams up again with The Real Review to bring you the country’s top producers.
Fifteen different wineries feature this year that weren’t in 2020’s Top 52, but while that means 15 from last year didn’t make it, there’s a cigarette paper between them, as the standard is so high.
Check out The Real Review‘s full list of more than 400 top wineries and for Good Weekend’s top 52 from that list.
Tim Coney of Coney Wines in Martinborough. Photo: Loren Dougan/Fairfax media.
As mentioned in September, the trip we had to postpone earlier this year is back on for Saturday, 13 February next year and it promises to be a great day.
To enable us to finalise the arrangements and ensure we have a big enough bus, we now need all members to read the following and then email Wayne to confirm your status for the new date.
The club is holding the payments of most of those members who’d committed to going this year (ie, those who didn’t request a refund) and of course, we welcome other members who are now in a position to join the trip.
So please email Wayne by Friday, 11 December, and advise him of one of the following options, along with all applicable names.
I/we booked and paid for the March trip and will also be coming in February 2021.
I/we booked and paid for the March trip but are unable to come in February 2021 so would ask you to arrange a refund.
I/we were not on the list for the March trip but would now like to be added.
I/we were not on the list for the March trip and will not be attending in February 2021.
Please note that if you are C, you will also need to deposit $75 into the club’s bank account 06 0541 0056031 00 before 24 December.
We plan to follow the same timetable as we’d planned for last March to save you searching your inboxes. This document is just to refresh your memory – we’ll update it closer to the date when the train times for that period are confirmed. It’s also likely that we’ll be visiting a different winery to Palliser, as they are now focusing on their new restaurant, rather than tastings. Details to follow.
Palliser Estate
Grave Wines
alana wines
Come along for a fun day and help wrap up the club’s 40th birthday celebrations in style!
Raymond Chan, wine critic; b July 21, 1956; d February 10, 2019
Raymond Chan won a strong fan base of winemakers and marketers alike. [Image Andrew Gorrie]Raymond Chan, who has died aged 62, was a great wine communicator and for spearheading dynamic tastings in Wellington in the early days of the modern New Zealand wine industry.
He will also be remembered by family and friends (of whom more than 300 turned up to celebrate his life at a wake in Martinborough) as a man of incredible courage and determination.
Chan died at home in Wellington last month with his partner, Sue Davies, by his side.
It had been a long journey with cancer, and he was constantly praising Davies for the incredible support she provided during that time.
He lived with cancer for 10 years. During this time, he led a new style of wine communication – paid wine reviews online. He swiftly won a strong fan base of winemakers and marketers alike who wanted and needed written independent wine reviews.
He wasn’t without his detractors, but this did not deter Chan from his meticulous detailing of viticulture and winemaking information on his website, which was an invaluable resource tool for the New Zealand wine industry.
He and his work will be sorely missed because of his great ability to communicate about wine to both newcomers and experts alike. Despite his battle with debilitating cancer, he ploughed on with daily life, cycling down the hill from his home in Hataitai to Newtown each morning, working on his website each afternoon.
Chan wasn’t without his detractors but this did not deter him from his meticulous detailing of viticulture and winemaking information on his website. [Image Andrew Gorrie]His sunny disposition and love of wine came through in both the tastings programme he spearheaded in Wellington in the 1980s and 1990s, and on his website.
His desire was to democratise wine for all. He succeeded.
Wine never appeared on the family dining table when he was growing up. It became important to him when he graduated from the University of Otago in 1978 and worked at Chan’s Garden Restaurant, owned by his family in Dunedin.
Raymond was one of five children. He was the eldest of the four born in New Zealand to immigrant Chinese parents who were separated for seven years between his father’s arrival in New Zealand and the emigration of his wife and eldest daughter.
The family owned a fruit shop and later a fish and chip shop and, eventually, Chan’s Garden Restaurant in South Dunedin.
When the family opened the restaurant, they all became interested in wine.
“I was amazed by the early New Zealand wines of the day, and our whole family got keen on wine through the restaurant,” he said.
Chan’s sunny disposition and love of wine came through in both the tastings programme that he spearheaded in Wellington in the 1980s and 1990s and on his website. [Image Stuff]He became friends with wine reps from different companies and developed close relationships with wine industry people, such as Malcolm McIntyre and Chris Staynes, with whom he formed the Wine Federation of Otago and entered wine options, a guessing game in the wine industry.
The 1980s were pivotal years in Chan’s early career. He became a judge at the Royal Easter Wine Show in 1988 when Master of Wine Bob Campbell was expanding the judging system. Then he moved to Wellington in 1989 to work at Wilson Neill as a wine adviser for the late Jose Hernandez and, later, when Wilson Neill was taken over by Dominion Breweries (DB), he went to O’Reilly’s on Thorndon Quay, where he worked for Zuke Marinkovich from 1991 to 1994.
This role saw him establish Wellington wine tasting programmes, most influentially at Regional Wines & Spirits, working for the store’s late founder, Grant Jones, whom Chan described as a visionary.
After Chan’s death, one friend wrote on social media: “He opened my eyes to wine.”
Chan’s desire was to democratise wine for all. He succeeded. [Image Maarten Holl]Another said: “Without him, I can’t imagine how I would have gotten into a wine career and he was super supportive even when I knew nothing – he always had time to answer my questions, no matter how trivial I imagine they may have seemed to him.”
I can echo those comments. The first time I met him was at an upstairs tasting at Regional Wines & Spirits in 1995. I was a young wine writer with very little knowledge at the time and, realising I needed to learn, the tastings beckoned.
Chan’s passion for wine was infectious. He was warm and welcoming. He lacked pretension and exuded an openness to teach, which is sorely needed in wine circles today.
I owe him a lot. Like many Wellingtonians in the 1990s, I learnt more about wine from Chan than from anyone else in wine circles. He encouraged me as a young writer, happy to see a newcomer and help them on their path.
Raymond Chan won a strong fan base of winemakers and marketers alike. [Image ]He was a breath of fresh air. His support for my writing career will always give him a special place in my heart. His encouragement and support for many others in the New Zealand industry means that they, too, can echo this thought.
His funeral was a small family affair in Wellington, followed by food at his favourite yum cha restaurant. The wake to celebrate his life was another matter. It was held at Ata Rangi, one of the first four wineries to establish itself in Martinborough.
The catering was by Ruth Pretty and more than 300 people turned up to pay their tributes to the man who most described as having a ground-breaking influence on their journey into winemaking, viticulture, marketing, sales and writing.
It has been my great privilege to know, admire and learn from the man who inspired one of my personal greatest wine passions – German riesling. It was a passion that he and Davies also shared.
He will be very deeply missed and very highly revered, as he deserved to be, for the role he played in championing wine and its producers at a formative time in the modern history of New Zealand wine.
Joelle Thomson 16 Mar 2019 Joelle Thomson is a writer and published author of 15 books about wine.
I wrote this obituary this morning for Raymond Chan, who was my friend, my mentor and a man who played a pivotal role in championing wine and its producers at a formative time in the modern history of New Zealand wine. It is also published on my website at www.joellethomson.com
Courageous, determined and undeterred. Raymond Chan will leave a legacy of great courage, as well as of good humour and a passion for wine.
He passed away on Sunday 10 February after a long journey with cancer, which lasted the best part of a decade. His long term partner, Sue Davies, was an integral part of this journey, offering unwavering support, putting her own career on hold, much of the time, to ensure Raymond had what he needed.
His bravery will remain as inspiring as his cheeky good humour and his passion for wine, which perhaps shone brightest in his role at Regional Wines & Spirits in Wellington where he ran and hosted great tastings for many years.
Wine never appeared on the family dining table when Chan was growing up. It became important to him when he graduated from the University of Otago in 1978 and worked at Chan’s Garden Restaurant, owned by his family in Dunedin.
“I was amazed by the early New Zealand wines of the day and our whole family got keen on wine through the restaurant,” he once said, when asked how he got into wine.
He and his wine friends, such as Malcolm McIntyre and Chris Staynes then formed the Wine Federation of Otago and entered wine options, a guessing game in the wine industry.
The 1980s were pivotal years in Chan’s early career in wine. He became a wine judge at the Royal Easter Wine Show in 1988 when Master of Wine Bob Campbell was expanding the wine judging system. Then he moved to Wellington in 1989 to work at Wilson Neill as a wine advisor for the late, Jose Hernandez, and, later, when Wilson Neill was taken over by Dominion Breweries (DB), he went to O’Reilly’s on Thorndon Quay where he worked for Zuke Marinkovich from 1991 to 1994.
This role saw him establish Wellington wine tasting programmes, which he spearheaded most influentially at Regional Wines & Spirits, working for the store’s late founder, Grant Jones, who Raymond described as a visionary.
“He opened my eyes to wine,” said one wine friend, on social media this morning.
“Without him, I can’t imagine how I would have gotten into a wine career and he was super supportive even when I knew nothing – he always had time to answer my questions, no matter how trivial I imagine they may have seemed to him,” said another wine industry friend.
I can echo those comments.
The first time I met Raymond was at an upstairs tasting at Regional Wines & Spirits in 1995. I was a young wine writer with very little wine knowledge at the time and, realising I needed to learn, the tastings beckoned. Raymond’s passion for wine was infectious. He was warm and welcoming. He lacked pretension and exuded an openness to teach, which is sorely needed in wine circles today.
It has been my great privilege to know, admire and learn from the man who inspired one of my personal greatest wine passions – German Riesling. It was a passion that he and his partner, Sue Davies, also shared.
Raymond will be very deeply missed and very highly revered, as he deserved to be, for the role he played in championing wine and its producers at a formative time in the modern history of New Zealand wine.
