A well-known Christchurch identity (if you're into the arts) and regular customer came into the shop recently and said: "I had a really good pinot noir at dinner last night. It was Selaks. Have you tried it?"
I said: "No, I haven't, Jan, but I can't afford to drink that one!"
He replied: "Don't be ridiculous! It's very inexpensive."
"I hear what you're saying, Jan," I said, "but I suspect your judgement on the wine might have been clouded by the 'going rate.'
" No, it was an excellent bottle of wine and hit the spot," demanded Jan. "Why can't you afford to drink it?"
(scroll to the bottom to read the conclusion of this very mundane story)

        Te Awa Wine Tasting - Classy Single Vineyard Wines

Our Te Awa Winery Tasting with outstanding Hawkes Bay winemaker Jenny Dobson will take place this coming Tuesday evening 21st August at 6pm at Eliza's Manor on Bealey, 82 Bealey Avenue. Off-street parking available. Te Awa is a single estate winemaking operation that is producing wines of great character, distinction and purity from a unique terroir. Wines to be presented by Jenny Dobson will include Left Field Chardonnay 06, Chardonnay 05, Merlot 04, Cabrenet Merlot 03, Zone 6 Merlot Cabernet 03, Boundary 02, Syrah 05 and Zone 2 Syrah 04.

Seated in the comfort of warmth of Eliza's. Finger food will be provided by Freeman's Restaurant. PP cost $15. To book phone 374 3344 or email: hemingwayfinewines@xtra.co.nz                        

The Crater Rim Central Otago Pinot Noir 2006

One of the best value-for-money pinots this year - just released

The Crater Rim wines have so far shown an impressive quality-for-value ratio but none more so than this just released 06 Pinot Noir from Bendigo in CO. It shows lifted aromas of plums and red berries with hints of wild herbs.  The palate delivers a powerful expression of classical Central Otago fruit for which the area has become famous. It holds it lovely balance through the mid-palate and delivers length and structure often detected in good burgundy. We think this could be the pinot bargain of the year. Come in and try it this Saturday.

RRP is $28.50/btl. Our special, bargain price is only $24.50/btl or $285/case (12btls)

Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc 2007

The Savvy that Marlborough savvy drinkers have been asking for has landed. Astrolabe is now capable of creating a stampede (a fast walk stampede). Alc: 13% pH: 3.30 RS: 3.8g/L Marlborough Aroma: White and red currant leaf, gooseberry, lemon grass, jalapeno and lime peel aromas. Palate: Medium to full bodied wine with strong gooseberry and currant flavours, and currant flavours, a hint of freshly-cut red capsicum, and a refreshingly smooth lingering finish.

RRP $22/btl. Our special price to you $19.50/btl. Case $229

Sobreno Finca Tinto de Toro 2005
Sobreno Finca Crianza Toro 2002

This 100% Tempranillo regional clone from Toro produces one of the most exciting and sought after wines of Spain - the characters from this grape are spice, leather and tobacco leaves and it produces Spain's finest wines. These wines are full-flavoured, deeply coloured and richly fruited with hints of leather and spice in the bouquet. The Tinto is aged for only 6months prior to release whereas the Crianza is aged for a minimum of 2years. We secured both at big discounts so they represent outstanding value for money. Come and taste them this Saturday afternoon.

Sobreno Finca Tinto de Toro 2005 RRP $21. Our great price $16.90
Sobreno Finca Crianza Toro 2002 RRP $32. Our great price $23.90

Bouvet Brut Methode Champenoise NV

Bouvet Brut is regarded as the finest expression of sparkling wine from the Loire Valley, and we concur. In fact, we think it's the finest from France outside Champagne. Pale gold in colour, it shows fullness of flavour, finesse and elegance. It has persistence in bubbles and aftertaste - the palate is baked apple, honeysuckle and quince with the Chenin Blanc acidity in perfect balance. Made in the tradition of champagne, it is not far removed.

Brilliant value at RRP $23.50. Your price even less $20.90/btl

Framingham Classic Riesling 2005

Winemaker Andrew Hedley of Framingham must now be rated one of the very top riesling aficiando's in NZ. This is one of 4 stunning rielsings he makes - all 4 current vintages are high quality and we think this is a big leap forward for the varietal here. The 'Classic Riesling 2005' is an off dry style of with rich fruit and juicy acidity. Ideal as an aperitif or with food. Either side of this, they produce a 'Dry 2003' and an 'Select 2005' (Auslese style, 9%acl) and for dessert or perhaps a light blue cheese there is the 375ml 'Late Harvest' -stunning but made in very limited quanity.

We have all four. Come in or phone for a great deal.

(conclusion of the story)

"I can't afford to drink it, Jan, because recent events have reminded me that time is marching on, and there are only so many bottles left to drink, and I don't want to waste one of those bottles on such an innocuous, pathetic representation of pinot noir as one made in the non-pinot noir country north of the bombay hills. Do you get my drift?"
By now I thought 'gawd, I must be sounding like the absolute quintessential wine-snob.'
"Disagree! It was a lovely wine!," retorted Jan.
"Well, let me put it to you this way, Jan," I said, "when I looked at an old school photo the other day I realised that four of my schoolmates in the photo were now deceased and two of those by natural causes, I thought to myself, what would happen if one of those free yellow buses that speeds down Durham Street North crashed through the front window of Hemingway Fine Wines and knocked me off my Monday morning perch while I was dutifully sipping one of those superb Coffeesmiths' long blacks from next door? "Well, what it would mean," I continued, "was that the 1998 Masetto in the cellar that I have been dreaming about for several years would be lost to a beneficiary (not at all unkind to them) but would they appreciate it. Probably not."
"In other words, Jan," interjecting on his next retort, "I suscribe to the Len Evans theory - the great Australian wine aficiando - who said that we all have only just so many bottles left to pour down your throat in a lifetime - and you cannot afford to waste any of them on a poor bottle. He said 'one wasted is one you will never catch up on' and that is the reason I can never afford to drink Selaks Pinot Noir. Do you get it, Jan," I asked.
"No," he said as he left the shop with his $11 bottle of Coto de Hayas clutched firmly under his arm.
As he left, I thought to myself, 'I like Jan - like the music he makes - he has excellent taste in wine.'

Normal Business Hours
Hemingway Fine Wines:                   Monday & Tuesday 11am to 7pm 
                                                         Wednesday to Friday 10am to 8pm  
                                                         Saturday 10am to 7pm
We freight wine all over NZ and most parts of the world.

Phone 374 3344. Fax 374 3343.

Ample parking at rear of building for use by HFWs after 5PM and on Saturdays.

The wine you drink is the wine you deserve