Amuse Bouche

The Great American Hamburger

Domaine Ste Michelle Blanc de Blancs NV (RRP $24.90)

Entree

 Salmon, crispy chicken wing and corn

Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara Chardonnay 09 (RRP $38.90)

Smoked Potato, quail egg and ham on hay, with mustard sauce

Au Bon Climat La Bauge Au-Dessus Pinot Noir 2007 (RRP $61.90)

Main

Grilled rib-eye steak, gravy and beans

Viader Proprietary Red 2007 (RRP $149.90)

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon (RRP $199.90)

Dessert

Apple Pudding, strawberry and traditional lemonade granita

Ste Michelle Eroica Riesling 2008 (RRP $49.90)

Limited spaces

Tickets $135 each (including wine) from
Wine Circle,

Shop 2. 329a, SH16, Huapai 09 412 2258

Chef Eugene Sokolovski was given the brief to take foods that are traditionally eaten on July 4th picnics and Barbeques and turn them into entrees and main courses.

Foods, such as, potato salad, fried chicken and traditional lemonade have all been given a work over and transformed into something quite spectacular. Potato salad becomes smoked potato, quail egg and ham on hay, with mustard sauce. The good old apple pie and lemonade transforms into apple pudding, with strawberry and traditional lemonade granita.

Wine Circle have selected a range of top North American wines to match the various courses, and diners will get a chance to try The Proprietary Red from Viader in the Napa Valley and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars SLV Cabernet Sauvignon 2007. The 1973 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars SLV was the wine that won the famous Judgment of Paris tasting that was later made into the film ‘Bottleshock’.

The dinner is being held on July 10th at Ribier Restaurant at 7 pm and tickets are $135 each from Wine Circle.

It is a single vineyard Shiraz produced from  old vines, with the oldest  first planted in the 1860′s. Some of these vines are still producing on the vineyard and the final wine is made up from vines 0f 50 to 142 years old.

Unlike Penfold’s Grange, Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz is a single vineyard wine and therefore will have a finite number of bottles produced.  It is aged in a mix of new American and French barrels for 21 months prior to blending.

The Hill of Grace Shiraz is a very collectable wine, with a bottle of the first vintage, the 1958, being sold for AU$5500 in 2009 at Langton’s.

The 1999 vintage is anticipated to be drinking right up to 2024 and has been given 98/100 by American wine writer Robert Parker.

Wine Circle has a superb range of fine wines. You can purchase wine online at our website including this stunning and very sought after wine.

To go to our website click here: Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz 1999

From Bath ales we now have the Golden Hare, which is a refreshing light ale and has an ABV of 4.4%. Golden Hare is crafted using floor-malted Maris Otter barley and the aptly named Goldings hops.

From Hook Norton brewery we have also landed their Flagship Ale. It is made in the style of an IPA, bottle-conditioned and was produced from Maris Otter malt, Enzymic malts, Fuggles, Goldings and Admiral hops. It was brewed to celebrate the 200th aniversary of the battle of Trafalgar.

Both beer brands will leave you fully satisfied and suitably refreshed.

To Purchase Craft Ales or to purchase wine online visit our website here:

Wine Circle

Au Bon Climat has twice made Robert Parker’s “Best wineries in the world” list and Jim Clendenen has won winemaker of the year from Food And Wine magazine and the Los Angeles Times.

Au Bon Climat is focused on created world-class Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc – and they certainly succeed!

Wine Circle imports these exceptional wines exclusively and is proud to be able to bring Californian wines of this calibre to New Zealand.

An absolute standout of Wine Circle’s recent ABC vertical tasting was the Isabelle 2007 Pinot Noir.

This is a truly stunning Pinot Noir!

Only 800 cases were produced (6 in a case) of this wine. Isabelle is Jim Clendenen’s barrel selection – an assemblage of the best barrels of the best vineyards of a given vintage.

In 2007 the yield was low, the weather was cool, moderate and dry. The wine is softer, more sumptuous and more open than the 06.

Au Bon Climat Isabelle Pinot Noir 2007:

Medium ruby colour – it’s aromas reveal ripe cherries, licorice, lemon peel, dried leaves, rose petals and spice.

On the palate the Isabelle has big dark cherry fruit, juniper, cinnamon, earth and citrus rind. It has silky tannins and is brimming with superb acidity on the long finish.

This will seriously reward cellaring and will further develop for some years to come.

To purchase wine online visit Wine Circle’s website by clicking on this link:

Buy Fine Wine

Or call in to see us at Wine Circle to see the full range of great Au Bon Climat wines.

Wine Circle picks up an honourable mention in Metro’s end of year awards for the second year running – this is very special.

Considering Wine Circle is a small, specialist wine store based at Huapai 30 minutes west of Auckland (and that all the other stores mentioned are in Auckland’s inner suburbs) the fact that readers and writers of Metro rate us so highly is great.

Wine Circle has been working away for four and a half years now building a range of interesting, quality wines, beers and spirits a great many of which you will not find anywhere else!

 Chris Carrad is one of the few in the New Zealand wine industry who makes a point of  getting to International Wine Fairs to taste and to source excellent wines from all around the globe.

Wine Circle’s specialist range includes many exclusive wines from France, USA, Portugal, Spain, Germany and we also import great beers from the UK.

When you put this next to the carefully selected range of more than 300 of the very best New Zealand wines and a comprehensive range from our Australian neighbours you will get a picture of the attention paid to setting a higher standard.

An important part of the entire Wine Circle ethos is that each and every customer leaves with an experience that involves great service and wines which always reach a very high standard no matter what the budget.

Wine Circle is one of the best NZ wine stores to buy fine wine. Visit us to browse our carefully selected range or for online wine sales visit our website here : Wine Circle

Wine Circle has produced two great wines which can either be bought through Wine Circle or you can purchase wine online from the Wine Circle website.

Or you can buy by the bottle or by the glass at Only Fools And Horses at 376 Oaia Rd this weekend. Only Fools And Horses will also have a Fine Craft Market and a retrospective Muriwai Photo Exhibition. It is a fantastic venue and promises an excellent day all round.

The wines have had special Muriwai Arts Trail labels created which were designed by artist Jacqueline Cockrill and these wines are strictly limited.

These are the two special wines:

Muriwai Arts Trail Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 09 

A good fresh style of Sauvignon Blanc with good texture, a slight mint, herbal edge and lots of crunchy green fruit. The finish is long with a bit of garden mint flavour just to add complexity.

Muriwai Arts Trail Marlborough Pinot Noir 07

The nose is embellished with dark stone fruits, leather and a vibrant floral lift. The palate is structured and refined, with delicate layers of fruit and oak, leaving a lingering and elegant mineral finish.

These will go very quickly so make certain you get to Only Fools And Horses or Wine Circle this weekend.

To purchase wine online go to our website here: Wine Circle

The Domaine Ste Michelle blanc de blancs is made with Chardonnay while the Domaine Ste Michelle blanc de noirs uses Pinot Noir grapes. The wines are created in true traditional methode champenoise.

After the secondary fermentation occurs in the bottle, the wine is aged for 9 to 18 months. The bottles are then riddled, disgorged, topped with a sweet liquid dosage and finished with a cork.

These handcrafted sparkling wines are outstanding with balance, style and flavour.

The blanc de blancs picked up 4 stars in the recent Cuisine magazine tasting and both are well rated by Wine Spectator magazine.

Domaine Ste Michelle Blanc de Blancs
A sparkling wine with substance; well defined, tangy fruit at it’s core. Good yeast integration and the texture is creamy, clean and elegant.

Domaine Ste Michelle Blanc de Noirs
Soft, round and tasty, with delicate watermelon, strawberry and white pepper aromas and flavors, finishing with a fine texture.

Visit Wine Circle now to stock up for the festive season or visit the Wine Circle website to buy fine wine online.

We only have a single half bottle of this 100 year old fortified wine – know anyone celebrating their 100th birthday soon?

Here is a bit of background.

Etienne Parahy established the Parahy family vineyards in 1446 in the South of France close to the Roussillon region. The vineyards were devastated by Phylloxera in 1878 so they had to be completely replanted. The family were rewarded for their efforts with several medals in 1893 and 1896.

The Parahy family began a tradition of keeping a barrel of wine from years where there was an event such as a birth or marriage or when there was a particularly great vintage.

The wines are a fortified red made mainly from Grenache with added Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris and a small amount of Syrah, Cinsault and Carignan. Here is how the Parahy family describes the 1910 Cuvee Veuve.

“1910 Cuvée Veuve Parahÿ : Nose at the start is more difficult; cardamom, pepper and tar.  It is gentler in the mouth.  It is highly concentrated with an exceptionally long finish.  There are not many wines like it.”

Bit of an understatement that last sentence!

Drop in to Wine Circle to check out this very rare pre-first world war wine.

Or you can purchase wine online by visiting our Wine Circle website to be first in for this one.

Chateau Ste Michelle is the oldest winery in the region and takes full advantage of the ideal grape growing climate. In the growing season Columbia Valley temperatures average an ideal 85 degrees F (29.5 degrees celsius). At night temperatures cool and at the end of the growing season the temperatures also drop by as much as 30-40 degrees.

These variations result in the expression of fully developed fruit supported by firm, crisp acids.

Here are some of the accolades Chateau Ste Michelle has picked up:

2008 wine brand of the year – Market Watch

14 “Top 100″ honours – Wine Spectator

15 “Winery of the year” Honours – Wine & Spirits

2005 Winery of the year – Restaurant Wine

2004 American Winery of the year – Wine Enthusiast

We are talking about a great winery in an excellent location producing outstanding wines.

Chateau Ste Michelle Columbia Valley Gewurztraminer 2009 performed particularly well against some of the best Gewurztraminers from New Zealand and Alsace in Wine Circle ‘s recent Gewurzt tasting. 

Gewurztraminers are very aromatic wines with a hint of spicyness and they make an ideal partner with seafood and slightly spicy dishes.

Wine Circle‘s tasting notes:

Chateau Ste Michelle Columbia Valley Gewurztraminer 2009
This wine has a soft nose of rose water and turkish delight. The palate is soft and fragrant with hints of mandarin and peachy fruit. There is nice acidity and a long tropical fruit and lychee finish. A very pretty wine.

This is going to work very well this summer with all of your alfresco dining particularly if it involves seafood.

Visit Wine Circle‘s website to purchase wine online.

Click here: buy fine wine