Appropriate for the passing of the shortest day is to suggest a few wines that have the longest finishes. Certainly the Spanish white Jose Pariente, the Valli Riesling and the Terrazas (scroll down) all have 'good length' which is a trait of all quality wines - the French call it 'persistence' and they measure it in seconds as it crosses the palate. Of course, the longer the finish the more enjoyment you will derive from the wine. Very expensive wines should all have 'length' and every other trait of wine quality; the real trick is to find wines with these qualities that are less expensive and more affordable. We think we have found some and have listed them (below). On Saturday we will have some of these wines open in the shop to taste - please feel free to pay us a visit for a taste.

To listen to Brian de Lore from Hemingway Fine Wines and Sophie Cotter from St Vincent's Cave talk to Mornings host Ed Swift about Spanish wine. Click on the following link:       http://plainsfm.org.nz/on-demand/mornings-wine-18may/

Bouvet Brut NV The best French bubbly we have encountered outside of Champagne and here it is at an unbelievably good price. Bouvet-Ladubay in the Loire Valley has a history of being a quality producer going a long way back and indeed, they were the largest producer of Methode Traditionelle way back in 1895. Made from Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay the wine is fresh on the palate, very elegant and reveals a fine, persistent bead and a creamy texture. The aftertaste is long with characters of quince, spice and lemon. Highly recommended. RRP is $31.50/btl. Our special price is only $24.90/btl.

Jose Pariente Verdejo 2009 This was the most popular seller at our Spanish tasting in May - and so it should have been because it is absolutely stunning - made 100% from Verdejo. The wine has a lifted nose of tropical fruit, passion fruit, pineapple, gooseberry. Incredible concentration of fruit flavours and lively on the on the palate, finishes dry with a slightly bitter/grapefruit character twist. Will cope very well with full flavoured food. Very high quality. RRP is $34.90. Our special price for you is $31.40

Canonico 2007 Canonico has been a consistently good southern Italian wine and this new 2007 vintage is as good as any we have had. This is a wine that delivers plenty for it's modest price. - it's delicious, just perfect for everyday drinking and only 12.5% alc which is an attraction in itself.  The wine is soft and medium bodied with hints of plums and a lovely long, sweet finish. It is made from selected Negroamaro grapes grown in Apulia, near Brindisi, on Italy’s Adriatic coast. One of the few Italian wines with a screw cap closure. A cheapie but a goodie! RRP is $15.90/btl. Our special price is only $14.30/btl.

Mr Riggs 'The Gaffer' Shiraz 2008 Winemaker's Comments: Made with 20% new French oak, this wine shows excellent integration of Shiraz fruit with the gentle use of oak creating a big, rich, juicy, smooth style of red, finishing with spicy elegance. Co-fermented with a small percentage of Viognier, the nose is delicately perfumed and the palate softened. The Gaffer is a flavoursome, fruit-driven, full-bodied Shiraz that is well balanced and assured to please the palate. RRP $26.90/btl. Your price is just $21.90/btl

Fonseca Bin 27 Reserve Port - 30% off rrp This is the port that for over a century was produced and consumed exclusively by the Fonseca family. Now it's available to you and at this price it's a great buy! This blended port from reserve wines has well-knit structure, rich, velvety full body and luscious blackcurrant and cherry flavors, also evident in the nose, carry into an intense, lingering finish. Bin No. 27 should be served at room temperature either alone or with simple, classic last courses and desserts. Perfect for the recent spate of cold weather. RRP is $57.90/btl. Our special price is only $41.50/btl.

Valli Old Vine Riesling 2009 Grant Taylor who has been making great wine for many years (formerly winemaker for Gibbston valley Wines) now does his own thing at Valli. The three pinot noirs in the Valli range are all wonderful wines but Grant's most underrated release is his Valli Old Vine Riesling which is made from 28-year-old Black Ridge vines - we think it's an outstanding wine and cannot understand why the prejudice against riesling actually exists, especially if you were to be blind tasted on a riesling of this quality. Grant and other riesling afficiandos around NZ are producing NZ's best wine product and perhaps in future years NZ's international wine reputation may be as a result of its quality rielsing over both pinot noir and sav blanc. This riesling has good palate weight, lots of complex flavours and is in an off-dry style - it's rich and textured in the mouth and finishes dry - a wonderful wine. RRP $28.50, our special price only $25.70/btl

Terrazas Reserva Malbec 2006 - 20% off Special Seriously outstanding wine from Argentina. Shows black berry fruits with a dark chocolate, mocha and vanilla spices, full bodied and very rounded with big, soft tannins. Terrazas Reserva wines are hand-harvested from select estate vineyards within the top districts of Mendoza: Developed with extensive focus on vineyard management, and only released during excellent vintages, these wines stand out for their aromatic intensity and complex style. RRP is $29.90/btl. Our special price is only $22.90/btl.

Opening Hours Hemingway Fine Wines Mondays/Tuesdays          10.30am to 7.00pm Wednesday to Saturday   10.00am to 7.00pm Sunday                              Closed Metered and 30min Parking available in Chester Street West (turn right from Durham St Nth or left from Cramner Square) Shop: Corner Durham St North and Chester St West, Christchurch CBD   Phone: 03 374 3344.   Fax: 03 374 3343 Email: hemingwayfinewines@xtra.co.nz  www.hemingwayfinewines.co.nz   The wine you drink is the wine you deserve

.