New Zealand wines have, over the last 25 years become more fashionable and commonplace.

As you know the wines from New Zealand have, over the last 25 years become more fashionable and commonplace. The wine regions names such as Marlborough, Hawkes Bay, and Otago trip of the tongue as do the grape varieties such Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling.

In fact, Sauvignon Blanc is the most widely planted grape in New Zealand.

When Sauvignon Blanc was first introduced to this country in the early 1980?s the freshness of the fruit with its herbaceousness, green peppers, gooseberry and the now famous ?cats pee on a gooseberry bush? aromas and taste marked it out as something different. It took the wine drinking public by storm and has never looked back.

The future of New Zealand will continue with the development of the Sauvignon Blanc but also Pinot Gris, Riesling and Chardonnay for the whites but it will be the Pinot Noir for the reds that will soon be taking all the plaudits. Otago (South Island) and Martinborough (North Island) have the soil and microclimates to make wines of great quality from this grape.

You will recall from a previous newsletter that I spent a few weeks in Australia and New Zealand in the spring of 2002 learning abut the wines, winemakers and the country.

Amongst the wines we stock from New Zealand are Cable Bay Sauvignon Blanc (£ 8.95). This was a great favourite when we showed it at our Spring Tasting.

From Esk Valley which is situated in Hawkes Bay on the North Island we have Sauvignon Blanc (£8.80), Pinot Gris and Riesling (£9.25), Chardonnay (£8.95) and an excellent Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (£17.45)

From Omaka Springs in Marlborough Jeff Jensen has produced a terrific Pinot Noir (£ 11.55) as well as the very consistent Sauvignon Blanc (£9.25). The elegance of this wine is based on the 10% or so of Semillon, which is added to the Sauvignon Blanc. This gives the wine not only definition, but also the ability to age over 5 years and maintain the fresh acidity that marks this as one of the best wines of the region.

As regular readers of this missive are aware we not only stock fine wines from all over the world but also lots of different sizes. From New Zealand we have La Strada Pinot Noir Magnums (£39.85) and from Esk Valley Sauvignon Blanc Half?s (£4.30). Other wines from New Zealand are from the estates of Saint Clair, Goldwater and Tuatara.

We also have a few bottles of Cloudy Bay Chardonnay and are trying to obtain some of the Sauvignon Blanc. As you know this is the wine that made New Zealand wines famous. It is on allocation and very difficult to obtain. To give you some idea our allocation for 2004 was 12 bottles.

On a slightly different note we have increased our collection of Rosé wines these are ideal for summer drinking, especially out doors with salads or even light curries or other spicy food. We have an excellent Esk Valley Rosé (£8.95). From the Lebanon we have both Hochar Rosé (£7.50) and Massaya Rosé (6.95). Also Rosés from Spain, France, Chile, and Switzerland

Finally the parking problems seem to be easing in Beaconsfield so please visit us. We are very happy to carry/trolley your wine to the car. Or alternatively order on this website
and phone an order through and we will be pleased to deliver it to you.

Our Autumn tasting will be on the 25th November. I will be writing to you nearer the date with our usual invitation.

('Neil Bingham',)