Click photo to enlarge
The wall of Munslows Wines upstairs tasting room has been
signed by many wine-makers over the years. Photo by Jane
Dawber.
The last tasting at Munslows Fine Wines last Thursday was
an emotional experience for some.
After 15 years catering to Dunedin's wine lovers, the shop is
to close and its regular tastings will be a thing of the
past.
Its managers, Mark Henderson, and before him Peter Munslow,
were among the most wine-knowledgeable people in the city and
willingly shared their expertise with their clients, not only
to sell wine, but to educate them and let people taste a wide
range of wines from around the world in their regular
tastings.
Many friendships were formed at the tasting tables in the
little upstairs room, whose walls bear the signatures of many
of those presenting wine.
Major shareholder Chris Staynes says it's unfortunate to be
closing when more people are starting to explore the world of
wines but it was impossible to compete with heavily
discounted wines available in supermarkets, chain liquor
stores and numerous online sellers.
People might be prepared to pay for service, but the gap in
price was often just too great, even for dedicated customers.
The last tasting, however, was a high note, a comparison of
wines from the Gimblett Gravels region in Hawkes Bay with
other top cabernet merlots from around the world, inspired by
several similar high-profile tastings with international wine
critics in New Zealand, London and San Francisco.
As at those tastings, the wines selected by Mark Henderson
and served blind often had the tasters puzzled as to where
they came from.
It was refreshing to hear the candour and variety of people's
opinions, cleverly drawn out by Mark, and the way they were
all accepted.
After all, what makes wine so interesting is its huge variety
and the diversity of people's individual tastes.
The New Zealand wines certainly held their own, and at a more
affordable price.
The wines: John Forrest Collection Gimblett Gravels Cabernet
2005 ($70), Conch y Toro Don Melchor 2005 (Chile, $93),
Tappanappa Whalebone Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 2005 ($90, South
Australia), The Obsidian Waiheke Island 2005 ($47), Cullen
Diana Madeline Cabernet Merlot 2005 (Western Australia, $93),
Sacred Hill The Helmsman Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Merlot
2005 ($66), Craggy Range The Quarry 2005 (Gimblett Gravels,
$63), Newton Forrest Cabernet Merlot Malbec 2005 (Gimblett
Gravels, $56), Sassicaia 2004 (Italy, $440 for a 1500ml
magnum), Chateau Pontet Canet 2003 (Paulliac, France, $150).
