The 2014 Bordeaux vintage has finally arrived, while variable it's still the best since 2009/2010. This year we thought we would start by taking a look at the fabulous dry white wines of the region. This is the 10th successful vintage in a row for these unheralded and underrated beauties. Produced from Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion with their subtle scent of beeswax and lanolin, and ability to age for decades, a style almost polar opposite from their fruity new world cousins. We will be trying some of the very best of the vintage in tonight's lineup, including the rare dry wine of Chateau d'Yquem, and the very first public release of Chateau Palmer Blanc (previously only for the owners and guests of the Chateau).

Alexander Murray & Co is one of Scotland’s leading independent bottlers. Join us for a special night as Steve Lipp, founder and owner of Alexander Murray & Co, takes us through a memorable line-up including the Alexander Murray & Co 1962 Highland dram aged 53 years. This is a very rare opportunity so book early to secure your spot as once sold out there will be no more spaces available! We will be tasting the following age statements from the Alexandar Murray & Co range: Tomintoul 1999, Dalmore 1999, Mortlach 1995, Benrinnes 1995, Glen Garioch 1994 and Highland 1962.

Over the last thirty years, the Glengarry Wine Academy has established itself as one of the leading wine educators in New Zealand. Initially created to train Glengarry staff, it is also widely used by the hospitality industry and wine enthusiasts. Informative, but never intimidating, the Glengarry Wine Academy courses are an opportunity for beginners as well as experienced aficionados to expand their knowledge and develop their interest. This four week course is the second in the series and follows from Wine Academy Stage I.
Stage Two will look closely at grape varieties and their interpretations from around the world with a major focus on tastings. All wines are premium to super premium in nature.
It is recommended that participants have completed Wine Academy Stage I (or similar course) before embarking on Wine Academy Stage II.

This particular Wine Academy is a little different as we are in fact training the trainers with this one. It’ll be presented by our General Manager Liz Wheadon, so not only will you receive all the training you can expect at a Wine Academy, you’ll have four nights of stories, great wine and a fair amount of good humour from Liz.

A four week course | Monday 10 July, Monday 17 July, Monday 24 July and Monday 31 July

TOM is one of New Zealand's most iconic (and expensive) wines, produced only in the greatest years. Named in honour of the legendary winemaker Tom McDonald, the original Cabernet Merlot blend was joined by the TOM Chardonnay in 2006, and the stunning TOM Syrah in 2013. That vintage was hailed as once in a lifetime but 2014 was arguably even better, these twin years being the greatest ever produced in the Hawkes Bay. Tonight we will have senior winemaker Chris Scott here (NZ Wine Estate winemaker of the year 2016) to present the three 2014 TOM wines to us. We will also be trying the same three varietals from the excellent Grand Reserve range. Don't miss this rare chance to try these together.

Celebrate Bastille Day weekend by joining us for a comprehensive and fun journey through the fabulous wine regions of France. This is a wonderful opportunity to taste through some of our extensive range of French wines and learn about these classic regions. This walk around tasting will include samplings from Alsace, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Rhone Valley and many more. The perfect start to the weekend.

It's all about France, we explore Village to Grand Cru Burgundy - what do the quality designations mean? We will taste through a range of Burgundy and explore the different quality levels from a range of our Burgundy Producers, at the same time looking carefully at vintage.

It's a marriage made in Heaven…well…Auckland. Not only do Behemoth Brewer Andrew Childs and his wife Hannah Miller make a good pair, but her charcuterie business and Andrew's brewery also make a good match. We'll be trying Hannah's amazing cured meats next to hubby's brews. Get in and book because seats will be limited.

As Bordeaux specialists, each year when the latest vintage of En Primeur arrives, we like to taste the best of the best. The 1st Growths are the greatest Cabernet and Merlot wines in the world, and have held this position for hundreds of years. Embark on the vinous journey of a lifetime, as we taste our way through six magnificent 2014 Bordeaux, including four of the famous First Growths from the 1855 classification. Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Mouton Rothschild, Haut Brion and Chateau Margaux. We also have two of the finest and rarest wines of the Right Bank, Chateau Lafleur and the legendary Chateau Petrus from Pomerol. Petrus is not only one of the most expensive wines in the world, but one that is almost never opened for public tastings. This is an incredible opportunity to try these phenomenal Bordeaux, all together in one place, and hear the history and stories of each Chateau.

Anything worth doing is worth doing right. Tequila Herradura know that there are no shortcuts to greatness. That’s why they age their tequilas until they’re ready, not a moment less. Come along for a special night tasting the world’s best tequila and hear about Jak Jakicevich’s recent trip to the Herradura Distillery. Rumour has it, Jak will be sharing some of his tequila from the barrel he hand-selected. Tequila and Nachos anyone?

Over the last 20+ years, the Glengarry Wine Academy has established itself as one of the leading wine educators in New Zealand. Initially created to train Glengarry staff, it is also widely used by the hospitality industry and wine enthusiasts. Informative, but never intimidating, the Glengarry Wine Academy courses are an opportunity for beginners as well as experienced aficionados to expand their knowledge and develop their interest. The only pre-requisite is a passion for wine!
Staged over four weeks this is a very much hands-on course that encourages participants to gain 'wine confidence' by breaking down the intimidation factor and providing a good grounding in the sensory evaluation and perception of wine. The main grape varieties are discussed in detail with wines from around New Zealand and across the globe tasted to highlight the various characteristics of each variety.
KEY TOPICS COVERED
How to taste and evaluate wine
Distinguishing the characteristics of different grape varietals and wine styles
The 6 main factors affecting the taste of wine
The language of wine
Wine and food matching
Purchasing and cellaring wines

A four week course | Tuesday 15th August, Tuesday 22nd August, Tuesday 29th August and Tuesday 5th September with a start time of 7pm each Tuesday. The course fee and content covers all four weeks.

Champagne Drappier has long been a favourite with Glengarry. We opened the Worlds biggest bottle (The 30L Melchisedech) with Michel Drappier in 2012. This time we are very pleased to have his daughter Charline here with us, representing the 8th generation of this exceptional winemaking family. The family takes pride not only in making fine champagne, but also care for sustainable and organic farming with very low sulphur levels, they are also the first zero carbon producer in the region. Charline will be taking us through the entire range including the brand new bottle for their flagship Carte' d'Or. This is now 90% recycled glass, darker colour to protect the wine, and a smaller neck reducing oxygen contact.

From the heart of Speyside, the BenRiach distillery has been gaining much interest from whisky enthusiasts and been recognized as a distillery to keep an eye on. Let BenRiach capture your curiosity too as we explore our soon to be expanded range of BenRiach malts on the 17 August. There will be malts we previously did not have access to and we are looking forward to sharing them with you!

Italy is one of the world's oldest, largest, and greatest wine producing Nations. Like many things in Italy though, sometimes it can all be a bit confusing to tell your Barolo from your Barbaresco.

Join us for a large walk around tasting where we will be travelling and tasting the full length of 'the boot'. Piedmonte, Lombardia, Veneto, Toscana, Puglia, Sicilia and more! This is the perfect way to make your first steps into Italian Wine, or continue your wine education. The tasting starts at 1pm and finishes up at 3pm.

The 2014 vintage has just arrived direct from Bordeaux and it’s a beauty, the best we have seen since 2010. This historic region on the French Atlantic coast still produces the greatest Cabernet and Merlot based blends in the world. 2014 is particularly strong in the Northern Medoc, and the prices are extremely attractive. Grab your wine drinking friends, and join us in Wellington and Auckland where we will have over 30 top Bordeaux to try from $20 to $250. Taste from St Emilion across to St Estephe, as well as a selection of Bordeaux Blanc and the sweet wines of Sauternes. Don’t miss some of the famous classified growths such as Chateau Pontet Canet, Pichon Longueville Baron, and Gruaud Larose. This is a great chance to get an overview of the vintage, or begin your education on the region.

This is an evening for lovers of the worlds finest sweet wines. Tonight we will be looking at two of the worlds greatest regions head to head. We will be starting with the more famous sister appellations of Sauternes & Barsac in Bordeaux, where they have been made from noble rot Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion since the 17th century. We then move on to recent arrivals from the sensational Disznóko single estate in the Tokaji region of Hungary, whose vineyards date back to at least 1413. We will culminate with the Tokaji Aszú Eszencia (Nectar). With only 315 bottles produced from the juice that runs off naturally from the berries, this is incredibly rare.

Kilchoman is a farm distillery “taking whisky back to its roots”, it is one of Scotland’s smallest distilleries, and one of most recently established (2005). Kilcohman’s own Peter Wills, son to distillery owner Anthony Wills, will be leading us through some of the top expressions from Kilchoman’s range. This promises to be a special night; book early to secure your spot.

Over the last thirty years, the Glengarry Wine Academy has established itself as one of the leading wine educators in New Zealand. Initially created to train Glengarry staff, it is also widely used by the hospitality industry and wine enthusiasts. Informative, but never intimidating, the Glengarry Wine Academy courses are an opportunity for beginners as well as experienced aficionados to expand their knowledge and develop their interest. This four week course is the second in the series and follows from Wine Academy Stage I.
Stage Two will look closely at grape varieties and their interpretations from around the world with a major focus on tastings. All wines are premium to super premium in nature.
It is recommended that participants have completed Wine Academy Stage I (or similar course) before embarking on Wine Academy Stage II.

A four week course | Thursday 14 September, Thursday 21 September, Thursday 28 September and Thursday 5 October