Police News Oct 06.indd - New Zealand Police Association

New Zealand Police Associationby Ricky CollinsA look at cleanskinsWhile in Australia recently, I couldn’t help but notice thehuge growth in the promotion and sale of cleanskins.For those of you unaware of the term, a cleanskin is awine that is sold without the wine producer’s label onit. Typically, they will have a plain label that indicatesonly the vintage, wine variety, and the region the wine comes from.So why do they exist? Thereasons can be varied, butthe predominant reason is toclear large quantities of a winethat the producer has beenunable to sell under its originalintended label. This couldbe due to cancelled exportorders, over-production, or theneed to clear previous vintages• Cleanskin wines.quickly before releasing thelatest vintage. By selling thisoverstock of wine as cleanskins, wine producers can on-sell their excess wineat a significantly reduced price without tarnishing their principal brand or marketposition.Cleanskins are a relatively new concept in the New Zealand wine market, butwe are likely to see more of them, given Australia’s bulging wine glut. Theyfeature as part of the portfolio of a few local wine retailers, most notably TheMill. I tried a few of their cleanskins recently and was pleasantly surprised.However, if you do get the chance, I suggest you try the sample wines at thestore before you buy, as some are definitely better than others. I personallydidn’t find any of the straight Shiraz on offer that appealing, but that mightjust be my palate. Below are some notes on four of the cheaper winescurrently on offer at The Mill that appealed to me.2005 Mudgee Premium Chardonnay RRP $6.99This was a fresh, clean fruit-dominant wine, with lovely melon and peachflavours and minimal oak influence. It had a rich creamy palate that lingeredfor some time. I went back to this wine a couple of days after opening it,and it still retained that fresh vibrance and fruitiness. It is definitely varietal inflavour, and great value at this price.2001 Limestone Coast Cabernet Sauvignon RRP $6.99Like the Chardonnay, this wine has had reasonably light oak treatment.However, that didn’t detract from the wine, as the fruit quality carried itthrough. It reminded me of some of the medium-priced European winesthat I’ve tried in recent times that were well matched to food. It had spicyberryfruit flavours, good length and a silky palate. Try it alongside a pastadish and you won’t be disappointed.2001 South Australia Cabernet Shiraz Merlot RRP $6.99This wine had obviously had more contact with oak than the previous two, asit displayed dusty tannins and included a touch of vanilla in its flavour profile.Other flavours to come through were mint, licorice and plums. It was wellbalanced and had a sweet finish to it that will be appealing to many. Again,great value for money.2003 South Australia Cabernet Merlot RRP $6.99This was my favourite. It had ripe fruit with cherry, plum and chocolateflavours and a hint of tobacco. It had a warm, rich mouthfeel that left youwanting another glass. It is a well-balanced, smart wine that is priced wellbelow what it could fetch under its true label.HOLIDAY HOME AVAILABILITY– for bookings see: www.policeassn.org.nzOctober November DecemberPAIHIA............................................ 9, 12, 16-18, 24-26 .......................................5, 10, 21-22, 27-30 .................................................1,6-7, 21STANMORE BAY ............................. 8-20, 23-26,28-31 .........................................1-3, 5-9,14-16,19-23, 26-30...................................1-7, 10-22AUCKLAND .................................... 18 ..................................................................1-2,5, 7-8, ..............................................................11-14, 21, 24-25WHANGAMATA ............................... 13, 15-17,24-25, 29-31 .................................1, 5-10, 12-17, 19-23, 26-30 ..................................3-7, 15MT MAUNGANUI ............................ 8, 15-19, 23-26, 29-31 ..................................1, 6-8, 12, 19,23......................................................6-7, 10-14,OHOPE ........................................... 7-11, 15-19,23-31 .........................................1-3, 8-10, 13-15,19-27, 29-30 ................................3-14,18-19,ROTORUA ...................................... 8-9, 11-12, 17,19, 23-26, 29-31 ....................3, 5-7, 9,13,15,20-22,26-29 ...................................3-15, 17,19-22TAUPO ........................................... 10-12, 16-19,24-26 .......................................1,7-8,10,12-16,20-23,26,28-30..............................5-14, 18-1922,24-25TURANGI ........................................ 8-12, 15-19,23-26, 29-31 .............................1-8,10,13-15, 19-23, 26-30 ....................................3-20, 22-25NAPIER .......................................... 9-11, 14, 24-26,29-31, ..................................1-2, 13-15, 20-25, 27, 29-30 ..................................3-7, 10, 12, 14, 17-21PARAPARAUMU .............................. 16-17, 23-26, 30-31 ......................................1-2, 5-6, 12-15,21-22, 24 .......................................Fully BookedGREYTOWN .................................... 9-12, 19, 23-26, 29 .......................................13-16,19-21, 27-29 ................................................3-8, 14,17-23WELLINGTON ................................. 17, 29-31.......................................................1-2, 5, 8-9, 13-20, 27-28, 30 ..................................3-6, 8,10-12,17-20,NELSON ......................................... 11-12, 15, 20,23-26,30, ................................1,15-16, 30 .............................................................5-7, 11-15,24-25HANMER SPRINGS ......................... 8-9, 11, 15,24, 27,29 .....................................3-4, 14-15, 19-20, 28-30 ........................................6-7, 10,CHRISTCHURCH ............................. 7, 19, 23, 30 ..................................................2, 6, 12, 26-28,30....................................................5, 7, 10, 13-14,17TEKAPO ......................................... 16-18, 24-26 .................................................9, 12-13,20, 27-28, 30 ............................................4, 7-8,10-13,17-20WANAKA ........................................ 8-12, 18, 28-31 .............................................1-3, 16, 19-23,27 ....................................................10-13, 20-23CROMWELL ................................... 8, 13, 15-19, 23-26,30-31 .............................5-9, 12-17, 22-23, 27-30 ........................................9-11,17-21QUEENSTOWN ............................... 15,23 .............................................................Fully Booked ............................................................18-19TE ANAU ........................................ 6-11, 15-19, 23-25, 27-29 ............................2, 6-9, 11-18,21-25, 27-30 .....................................5-7, 10, 13-14, 17,20-21DUNEDIN ....................................... 12,15-17, 30-31 ............................................12, 14, 23-24, 28-30 ...............................................3-4, 11-15, 21-22October 2006243