time to lower the BAC limit - New Zealand Police Association

New Zealand Police AssociationA few new labelsby Ricky CollinsI’ve tried a few new wines to the market overthe last few months and here are my thoughtson a handful that caught my eye, and palate.2009 O: Tu Otuwhero EstatesMarlborough Sauvignon Blanc RRP $19There is plenty of cheap, but fairly bland Sauvignon Blanc on themarket at present. Rest assured this Awatere Valley wine is anythingbut bland. It’s a fresh and invigorating drop with a slightly fleshymouthfeel. It shows gooseberry and lime flavours, with a hint oftropical fruit notes as well. All in all, this is a pretty smart example ofthis country’s benchmark wine variety.2009 Montana Living Land Series Waipara Pinot Gris RRP $22Montana has recently released a new range of wines called LivingLand. This Waipara Pinot Gris is sourced from a very low crop thatsurvived a hailstorm that wiped out 60 to 70% of the fruit. Theremaining fruit went through to full ripeness and eventually resultedin a wine with concentrated tropical fruit and spicy pear flavours. It’sa well-balanced wine, full-bodied with a slightly viscous texture. Lookout for introductory reduced pricing that is pretty tempting.2009 Banrock Station Moscato rrP $15Banrock Station recently added a Moscato to their range of winesavailable in New Zealand. If you’re looking for a fresh and juicy lightwine with a low level of alcohol then this might be just the ticket. Thisfresh and slightly effervescent wine has a distinct grapefruit nose,and delivers sweet pineapple and passionfruit flavours. It’s just alovely refreshing wine that’s not too serious, and it’s quite often onspecial at Countdown for well under $10 a bottle.2008 Milcrest Estate Pinot Noir rrP $23I’m picking the Milcrest label will be unfamiliar to most readers. ThisNelson Pinot is the first vintage produced on a newly planted Hopevineyard by ex-sworn member Terry Milton. This first release Pinotdoesn’t disappoint. It has classic, juicy red-berry flavours with a hintof spice, and it’s nicely balanced and shows good length. At $23 abottle, it represents good value for money. Terry is just getting upand running, but look out for his wines in Super Liquor stores soon.Alternatively, check out his website www.milcrestestate.co.nz2008 Conspiracy Hawke’s Bay Merlot rrP $10This wine is only available through on-line supplierwww.bestwinebuys.co.nzThe Conspiracy range is effectively relabeled to conceal the trueidentity of the producer. For $10 you end up with a wine that is worthquite a bit more, and the producer moves the wine at a discount ratewithout damaging the perceived value of the true label. This Merlothas good palate weight, bright fruit forward flavours with a touch ofspice and dry tannins. It’s the best $10 New Zealand red I’ve triedfor a while.• On Anzac Day at Johnsonville PoliceStation near Wellington something ofa rare occurrence took place when fiveofficers who have been the officer-inchargeof the station from 1997 to thepresent day attended the remembranceceremony. From left to right they are:Senior Sergeant Mark Buttar (currentO/C), Inspector Peter McKay (PNHQ),Inspector Marty Parker (Central Comms),Senior Sergeant Doug Rowan (StrategicTraffic Group), and Detective InspectorStephen Vaughan (PNHQ).- Photo courtesy of Mark Gibson.June 2010145