SEMPER AD MELIORA

 I've been drinking less over the last few years and like to mix up my drinking choices so don't like having to come back to the same bottle in the fridge night after night.

A half a bottle of wine on a weekend night is OK and usually a third of a bottle on a weeknight is sufficient.

I had been decanting wine from a 750ml bottle into a 375 ml bottle, filling it right to the top with no air gap and screwing on a cap. This keeps well in the fridge for a couple of weeks but it is a hassle.

In previous posts I've lamented the disappearance of decent wines sold in half bottles. Years ago when I first started to drink, collect and sell wine many producers had half bottle offerings of even their top wines. It was a great way of trying new brands and styles and a convenient way to accompany a meal at home or in a restaurant. I'm happy to say that some producers have gone back to this. I've recently purchased Ata Rangi pinot noir, Kumeu River chardonnay, Mount Edward pinot noir, Maude pinot noir, Peregrine pinot noir and some others that have been well priced. There aren't enough of them but it's a start - or a restart.

What's even more exciting is the emergence (again) of wine in cans, usually 250ml size which is a third of a bottle. This is an ideal quantity to drink before or during a meal. I've been interested in this for many years and have posted on it:

HERE

AND HERE

Technology advances and diligent experimentation by winemakers is proving that quality wine can benefit from being packaged in cans and, along with recyclability, lower transportation costs, reduced shelf space and convenience makes this form a no-brainer to use. The trouble is though, as seen in the initial resistance of both producers and consumers to the shift from cork wine to screw cap wine that such a radical change takes time. Like the acceptance now (in New World countries) of screw cap wines I'm certain that canned wine will one day be very popular. It will just take experimentation from consumers and bravery from producers to enable the shift.

At present, in New Zealand we are seeing some regular stocking of a few brands and varietals. Initially the offerings were poor as the wine used in the cans was cheap and poor. Some producers are showing bravery however with The Ned and Villa Maria leading along with some others like The Uncommon and JOIY beginning to extend their ranges. 

Initially the offerings (after the introductory cask-quality plonk) were prosecco styles and sauvignon blanc and pinot gris but now decent pinot noirs and roses are being stocked. I buy The Ned Marlborough rose and Marlborough pinot noir which are not only decent to drink but compare favourably in price to the same quantity of the same wine in a 750ml bottle. I've also bought some The Uncommon and JOIY pinot noirs from Martinborough and Central Otago which were OK. I'm anticipating the release of some decent Hawkes Bay chardonnay soon.