An advocate for the region's wines(1)
In October last year, one of our wine columns was headlined, What we need is a wine-tasting centre. Our argument was that the smaller wine-producing regions of Central Otago and Martinborough did a far better job of promoting their wines than Marlborough does.
We need a specialist wine centre dedicated to showcasing as many local wines as possible.
While this has yet to happen, the arrival of Wino's is a breath of fresh air, focusing as it does on fine and Old-World wines.
Owners David Clouston and Clive MacFarlane have introduced regular in-store tastings, and for those who want to do a little bargain-hunting, there are regular specials.
The focus on the diverse departments of wines, whiskies and boutique beers limits choices a little, and maybe the focus should be more squarely on the wines and Marlborough craft beers.
As whisky drinkers, we are aware of the extraordinary range of whiskies available in New Zealand. A trip to Christchurch's Whisky Galore promptly opens one's eyes to the diversity and quality of what is available.
Unless Wino's can do something stellar with the whiskies and other premium spirits department, it might be best left to the bottle stores. Time will tell.
This said, we hope Wino's will establish itself as the place to go for Marlborough wines and craft beers, so they will need all the space they have and more to accommodate those departments adequately.
Congratulations to the Wino's team. It's good to see some exciting wines on the shelf that are there because they have merit, not simply because a buyer elsewhere in the country was able to screw down a good deal to the detriment of the industry.
At the official launch-night function, the team was serving William Fevre Chablis, Dog Point Pinot Noir and Argentinian Auka Syrah, there was a big crowd and it wasn't an early night from reports that have filtered through the grapevine.
Trying the Auka Syrah was a bonus – the night before the Wino's opening, we had the opportunity to try Auka Malbec 2008 at a wine tasting with Sheena Thomson, of Macvine International.
Retailing at about $25 a bottle, this malbec is worth seeking out. Deep garnet red on a black background, it has a full, nicely rounded aroma of cherries, very ripe plums, smoke, wet earth and tobacco.
The palate is generous and mouth-filling, with flavours of liquorice, sweet, ripe fruit and spice. The tannins are slightly furry and the finish generous.
The Auka is interesting and is no mere marketing department creation.
It represents the story of the Auka, the first Indians who lived in Mendoza's southern region of San Carols.
The Auka created a system of canals for channelling water from the melting snow in the Andes mountains to the arid desert lands of Mendoza.
This irrigation allowed them to grow fruits and vegetables in the fertile sandy, loamy soils.
