TRULY OFFISHER I ONLY HAD TWO GLASSES

Richard (of RBB) wrote a post some time ago of his experiences ordering wine in RSA's and Cosmopolitan clubs. These drinking establishments are used to serving beer and spirit drinks so wine is usually out of the norm.

I now know how he feels.

I recently joined the local club up North where I live. It is not an RSA or a Cosmopolitan club but is similar. Its just up the road so quite handy. I've only been there a couple of times so on Friday night, as I was alone (Her Indoors is on Stewart Island this weekend) I decided to go to the club for tea instead of cooking. My sister told me that they serve great fish and chips and salad. She was right - it was superb.

When I went to the bar to order a wine (Mount Riley Chardonnay) the bar maid asked if I wanted it in a tall glass or a half-pint handle.

What?

Half pint handle

Had she been checking out the recycle bin on Monday mornings to see how much Chardonnay I get through? I know that I drink a bit of the stuff but a half-pint glass!

Maybe she was a Brit.

Not uncommon it seems in the UK.

I siad that I preferred a wine glass which I duly got (filled to the brim for $5 - a bargain).

I think If I frequent the club a lot I'd better not drive.

WE'RE DRINKING STARS

No doubt you've noticed the huge increase in the offerings of sparkling wines in New Zealand. As well as the growth of excellent Methode Traditionelle wines (Champagne style, bottle fermented) and the continued popularity of carbonated styles there has been the introduction of sparkling versions of Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and just about every other varietal.

Production volumes and percentages have greatly increased and. as we export very little sparkling wine compared to other wine types the domestic consumption has gone up.

Now, given that New Zealand's population has not increased very much at all (1% increase last year) then who is drinking all the extra sparkling wine?

It must be the younger drinkers.

SPRINKLES

We had a Chinese customer in the other day looking to buy wines for export.

She wanted Sprinkles

Sprinkles

We eventually established that she wanted to buy our sparkling wines and we are working on a deal

The idea of sprinkles wine appeals though. It has a nice sound to it and could be colourful.

I remember selling a German liqueur named Goldwasser that had real gold flakes in it. When the price of gold rocketed up in the '70's people bought it up thinking it would appreciate in value. When poured out though the gold flakes bond together like paint so no-one got rich out of that idea.

Goldwasser

 

 

 

 

I wonder if sprinkles in suspension in sparkling wine would work?

THE OTHER FOOT

China has flooded the world for years with cheap, low quality goods that have been at times shoddy and dangerous. When not a commodity they have been rubbish brands and even counterfeits.

It has been interesting to watch the spat between the China Alcoholic Drinks Industry Association (CADIA) and the EU over the last month.
CADIA is accusing the EU of dumping cheap and low quality wine into the Chinese market thereby inhibiting the development of the Chinese wine market. This relates to the large amoints of cheap Soanish wine being imported.
I am reminded of Rob Muldoon's famous quip when asked what he thought of the the high numbers of unemployed New Zealanders seeking the dole in Australia.
Muldoon said something along the lines that it raises the average IQ of both countries.

re The cheap and low quality Spanish wine going into China it makes me think that it raises the average wine quality of both countries.

ROARING CAMP?

I just noticed the name on the wine bottle in the picture (the bottle on the train).

'Roaring Camp' it says.

Before Richard (of RBB), TSB and other 'wits' comment I just want to say that its just a picture off the web OK?. Its not a statement about my sexual orientation.

IN A HURRY?

Well, lots of us are.

I found with my other blog The Curmudgeon that readers were often too busy to read (properly) a long Post (or maybe they were all too stupid or lazy or both).

Anyway, I also discovered that I didn't have time to write (properly) long Posts (or maybe I'm too stupid or lazy or both) so I created The Curmudgeon Express which has already proved to be popular (by viewer count not comments). Inspired by this I have created THE WINE GUY EXPRESS where I can quickly jot down idiocies, gripes and poits of interest that you may or may not read.

Something else no-one reads