WINES FROM MARTINBOROUGH

SMALL BUT FLAVOURFUL

“I’m looking forward to seeing some elegant and intense wines from the 2015 Martinborough vintage,” says Jeremy Corban (Big Sky Wines) and Chairman of Wines from Martinborough.

He’s echoing winemaker views about “a very different year” for the Martinborough grape harvest. A “cold and windy November” took its toll on the grapes, reducing the crop by as much as half for many vineyards. The hot dry summer months were welcome and harvesting started in late March much as normal for the majority of the crop, although April rain slowed things down a bit.

“While the rain complicated the harvest for some, most people I’m talking to are saying the same thing – a smaller crop than usual, maybe 25% to 30% down, but excellent quality fruit,” said Jeremy Corban.

“Winemakers are talking about good looking fruit, rich fruit flavours and colours, with small and intensely flavoured Pinot Noir berries in particular. That spells memorable Martinborough wines,” he concluded.

Of wine, food, and a midwinter night market …..

Combine sparkly lights, magnificent old trees, warm mulled wine, exceptional food and vineyard frost pots and as twilight fades into night you have the perfect setting for A Midwinter Affair in Martinborough’s Square.??This new midwinter initiative will be launched on Saturday 20 June with all the glitter and winter festival feel of last year’s Olive Festival night market. With stalls and walkways under cover, this is a “rain or shine” event. Just wrap up warm and celebrate the cold as you explore the 70+ diverse stalls.

Food is going to be a huge part of the market – after all, glorious hot food is one of the joys of winter – with plenty to taste, buy and enjoy there and then.

Along with all the on-the-spot food and drinks from vendors and food trucks to warm you up and fill your bellies on the night, a bustling Food Village showcasing local Wairarapa and Wellington producers will parade its irresistible wares to buy and take home. There will be boutique beer, fudge, cheese, cupcakes, olives and their oil, honey, smoked spices, cooking sauces, artisan breads and pies, chocolate, smoked salmon – the list goes mouth-wateringly on!

A Midwinter Affair will also be playing host to an exceptional Midwinter Bazaar. Over 40 local artisans and cottage industries have already confirmed their spots and will bring their art, craft, handmade cosmetics, clothing, upcycled furniture, books and more!

The Martinborough Business Association is delighted to be supporting the brand new 2015 Midwinter Affair, and have requested a fine, clear, frosty evening in which to enjoy all that a winter night market has to offer.

Those wrongly used words

There are a couple of words people often use, not fully appreciating how they might be interpreted. Our staff are advised to avoid them altogether.

Fulsome
This word is frequently used by those who think it means full, or absolute, not realising that it can actually mean insincere or exaggerated. So a fulsome apology can be interpreted as a totally insincere one!

The same sort of thing applies to enormity
Our advice to staff is also to avoid enormity. It is often said by those who use it to mean big, and do not appreciate that it can actually mean evil or wicked. … Continue Reading

PATON FAMILY THANKS

Heartfelt thanks to all in our caring and close-knit community for their messages of love and support at the time of our daughter Mackenzie’s car accident in January. The notoriously dangerous Bidwell’s cutting intersection has now been made safer thanks to the efforts of two well-known village stalwarts, with the assistance and full support of our Mayor, Adrienne Staples.

Large new STOP signs have replaced the old, faded Give Way signs, and clearer road markings alert drivers to the need for caution. Mackenzie is recovering very well. We are enormously grateful for the intersection upgrade, and of course for Life Flight, along with our heroic local medic and rescue crews.