Wine drinker has never had it so good in N.Z.

Press, 21 July 1976, Page 11

Wine drinker has never had it so good in N.Z.

The result is an almost bewildering., array of labels. But ‘there still remains the lack of good wines with age. Production has not yet overtaken demand. Wine-makers have long been aware that local red wines in particular improve considerably after being bottled, some for as long as 10 years after proiuction. Few, however, have the storage facilities, or production turnover, to allow mass storage year after year. Many have had t> rely on sales of current

bottlings to provide even an income, let alone finance for development. But for the individual purchaser, solution to this problem only requires a small suitable area for storage and a lot of willpower to let the wine lie. It is so easy to start your own wine cellar by lying down a few bottles of readily available wine which is almost certain to improve with age. After a few years you will no longer need to search for those expensive older wines. Even in a flat it is not

difficult to set up a small wine cellar. Many wine shops sell wooden racks or the space saving sixbottle polystyrene pack, which fit on a sideboard or into a cupboard. For the more ambitious, with more room, field tiles or constructed units can be effective, A word of warning though; do not store wines where oil, paint or other fumes may penetrate the cork and taint the wine. The three essentials for correct storage are that the area be cool, dark and ventilated.

Like most things in life, wine is a matter of personal preference. It is one of the few commodities made purely for enjoyment, and it has been enjoyed by millions of people for hundreds of years. For those who have not yet become enchanted by its history; the glow of a good wine in the glass; or

the heady bouquet of an ancient port: perhaps now is the time to learn. An added bonus is wine’s versatility. Sparkling for festivity, still or spritzig for a meal and fortified sherries and ports for casual visitors or quiet moments for personal reflection; there are wines for all occasions.