In a Groove

Tough to get out to do extra-curricular stuff sometimes. Real life can intrude. So it's good to get out of that groove or rut. So it was a spur of the moment to catch up with our Pet Pals. Something new and something old to try over a quick put-together dinner.

Gruner Veltliner may be the new buzz. Those Austrians have a point of difference. So we tried N.Z.'s first commercial release, the 2008 Coopers Creek GisborneGruner Veltliner 'The Groover'. Lighter than many Austrian benchmarks, a little softer than expected, but with the ginger and pepper you want. Very easy to drink. If Coopers Creek keep this up, it'll be a groovy drink.

Then onto two groovy wines at the time. 1990 and 1991 Te Mata Estate Cabernet/Merlots. Bordeaux blends were the rage then, not Pinot Noir, no mention of Syrah either in those days. Very pleasant drops they were, so many years later. Not as good as their bigger brothers 'Awatea' and 'Coleraine', which were top of their game, especially the 1991s. But they showed ther respective vintage personalities. The 1990 a smaller scale job with acidity and a touch of the greens. The 1991 richer, sweeter, fleshier, and a touch of cedar and tobacco development. A groovy wee surprise, this pair were.