New Zealand Goodies

[postscript]

Hi Folks.

The last time I started a new thread I painstakingly went through the umpteen pages of threads to ensure I didn't duplicate. Then Stephany found I had!

This time, I make no bones about it. I'm not wending my way through pages of threads--I'm just going to do it and then if ANYONE finds I have duplicated an existing thread, well, someone else can manage the amalgamation! No, I'm not really getting at you Stephany, merely mad at myself

Okay. I was in my local Waitrose this morning and they are having a month devoted to NZ wines. So I ended up buying one and a half cases made up (with a duplication of a Riesling) of one of every bottle on the shelves, prompted by the fact that in two divisions there was only one bottle left already--halfway through the morning! Several other divisions were also exposing large amounts of shelf space!

Needless to say, I am not going through the lot quickly, especially as some of them are closer to £10 a bottle rather than the £5 a bottle are usually pay--although with whites I do tend to buy nearer the £7 a bottle prices as I think whites need to be of a higher quality than reds to be palatable, but then I am more a Merlot or Chateauneuf-du-Pape man. Come to think of it, burgundies aren't bad either!

This, then is an opener to a thread where I would suggest we can post anything about NZ products. Mind you, I have yet to taste them and of course coming all the way from NZ price does not necessarily equate with quality from Europe down the road. Even Californian wines only have to be transported 2/3rds the distance of NZ wines.

No, I am not going to make any pretentious comments on anything, although I will regale you now and again when I have opened another bottle, describing the maker's (or importer's) description and whether or not I think it accurate. I will also advise what NZ region it comes from, another reason for my rash response. They come from all over NZ an bearing in mind my desire to visit, it will help to identify areas and get a further feel for the country as a whole.

For the moment, I have a very urgent priority--preparing my strawberries and cream for after-noon tea... and then eating them POSSIBLY with a Chardonnay from NZ, which I will then go on to use with my planned starter for tonight's dinner, prawn cocktail.

Oh, by the way. When I can I will scan the relevant page and a half in Waitrose's wine list. Going on a tasting this morning I'm not a fan of one of their rosés but then, I'm not a great rosé fan, never finding anything to match Mateus which was my introduction to rosé when there was quite a fashion for it in the er ... er... despite Dave's birthday I think I am still the oldest here? Certainly I was at BBC Cardiff (unless someone was keeping VERY quiet! So I'll choose not to remember when it was all the rage. Anjou was the nearest to it and 'did', if one was feeling a bit short of cash at the time.

Peter S.

[grant]

Hi Peter

I wonder if that is a national Waitrose thing? Do you know by any chance?

I've only managed to find a couple of varieties of New Zealand wines up here in the Midlands, but then I only drink red. I have liked very much, those I have tried.

Best wishes
Grant

[postscript]

grant said:

Hi Peter

I wonder if that is a national Waitrose thing? Do you know by any chance?

I've only managed to find a couple of varieties of New Zealand wines up here in the Midlands, but then I only drink red. I have liked very much, those I have tried.

Best wishes
Grant

How 'national' is 'national'? Certainly the printed literature that is free all round with the 'wine of the month' each month implies a long run to justify the expense and therefore across a range of shops at least. They may not run the same campaign across all shops at the same time. They may try just some shops as 'testers' and then decide to make it wider but then that would throw the economy pf calculating bulk imports.

So, I can't say, Grant. However, when I get round to posting scans of the wine list, it will give you names for which to look. Certainly in my experience and following Toast NZ I tried to follow through with some wines there. NZ wines seem sparsely stocked in the UK in my experience--and I am sure the transport cost places them that much more costly in relation to qualityy than comparable wines, so they start at a disadvantage.

You can of course always look on the Waitrose web site and see what arrangements can be made for direct delivery. However, when they do their 'wine of the month' they give you a chance to taste it--although not their entire stock! Unlike Majestic which will open a bottle for you (if not already open) if you are seriously likely to buy a case.

Peter S.

[postscript]

Hi Folks.

This isn't the sort of thing I had in mind when I started this thead but it seems the most appopriate and as the subject is a one-off it does not warrant a thread in its own right.

For anyone in the UK and especially for anuyone who has or is intending to visit NZ, they might be interested in a programme tonight (Tuesday 10th July) on ITV1 8:00pm called 'No Place Like Home?'

'In 1990 Yorkshire-born-and-bred Cathy Walmsley persuaded husband Mick to emigrate with her and her three sons to New Zealand. Seventeen years and two more children later, the perennial homesick Cathy wants to bring the family back to Britain.'

Presumably we will learn of their experiences in NZ and how they view the country and through their eyes learn of comparsions and contrasts between the two countries.

Peter S.

[postscript]

They decided to stay in NZ! Although I think the decision was an irrational one, more to do with keeping close to the two children she would have been separated from but who are likely to fly the nest soon anyway. However, elswhere in NZ or in Oz which where her two sons are likely to move to is nearer for reconnecting than the UK.
Peter S.