May it be a Sunny and Dry Winter.

Meet the C-Team, attend another Carlene Wilson Tasting, and enjoy some outstanding autumn whiskies.

Kia Ora wine and spirited friends.

Welcome to the halfway point of the year! Winter is slowly settling in and, because of the El Niño weather system, we are in for a very, very dry one in the Eastern and Northern parts of the

country. I will take a moment to highlight our dynamic team at Cahn’s, or the C-Team, as we refer to ourselves.

Martin Cahnbley (The Cahn)

If you are a wine connoisseur or work in the wine industry and do not know Martin Cahnbley, aka The Cahn, then it’s time you did! With 39 years of experience he is quite the icon around town. He is the founder of Planet Wine, and importer of top South African wines, and from elsewhere. Martin is also a partner in ground wine bar beneath the shop.  Be sure to pop down after you visit Cahns. When he is not marketing wine, he maybe traveling, on a bike ride or being a cat dad.

Frankie Gototweski

Frankie is our resident Whisky and Beer Specialist. He hails from Cape Cod, Massachussetts, famous for lobster and clams. Frankie is passionate and knows what’s hot and what’s not in both whisky and beer realms, so don’t be afraid to ask for advice. He will definitely send you away with something delicious. You can catch Frankie on Thursday afternoons and Saturdays in the store.

In his spare time, Frankie enjoys cooking, quiz nights and thinking of ways to improve the Auckland CBD experience. If he catches you driving up O’Connell Street the wrong way, you’re in trouble.

Tristan Colenso

Tristan is the store manager and The Cahn’s right-hand man. He has 20 years of experience working in hospitality and liquor retail. He likes most liquor products, but wine is his current passion, and he has become quite the advocate for New Zealand wine in recent years, especially the smaller, independent producers. “We make such great wine! People need to drink it more!” Tristan is also an accomplished musician. You may see him playing in Indie Rock Band Clap Clap Riot and a few others around town. He is also an aspiring author of fiction — short fiction fantasy mostly — one day he’ll write a novel, or novels. Other than wine, these are great ways to get into a long conversation with him.

NEW ARRIVALS IN STORE

We are that place where you discover products you cannot find elsewhere. Check out our fresh new arrivals and collectables.

UPCOMING TASTINGS & EVENTS

Our next event:  Wednesday, July 22nd, from 6 pm to 8 pm

Ancient vines for modern times - the wines of Sicily

$65.00 - includes nibbles.

I have noticed a common misconception that New Zealand can only make Sauvignon Blanc. We make a lot of sauv, yes, but when asked what else New Zealand is known for, I reply with — most whites. We also do great reds, but that’s for another Newsletter. It always gets me when people disregard white wine, thinking that red is superior, or they just prefer red over white and only ever drink red. The truth is, a lot of the cuisine we eat here really calls for a white wine pairing, particularly with the amount of Asian-inspired restaurants around.  The good thing is that New Zealand has a vast selection of white varietals, which producers are absolutely nailing — The Alsatian varietals — Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, and Gewürztraminer. Then, Chenin Blanc, Viognier and Marsanne are a few favourites of mine and are all slowly gaining more renown in wine circles.  Pop into the store and have a chat about our selection of alternative white wines.

Frankie’s Words of Whisk(e)y-dom:

Top Autumn Drams for the Season

The days are getting shorter, darker and colder,. Last month I dealt with chaneg of seasons via beer. Now, I’ll go through a few whiskies to help you deal with the current season.

1. Benromach 10: A peated single malt from Speyside, not a region usually associated with peat. But it strikes a much different note to more coastal Scotches. The peat here gives a more decaying leaf, mushroom, forest floor, savouriness that reminds me of fallen autumn leaves. This, with the rich stewed fruits from sherry casks makes it a perfect drop for the season.

2. Elijah Craig Straight Kentucky Rye: I’m not normally an American whiskey person, but when I am, I gravitate towards Ryes. There are a few I could have chosen but I’ve settled on the EJ Rye as a good and approachable Rye. As a Kentucky Rye it only has around 51% rye in the mashbill, so it’s softer on the herbaceous scent. It is the baking spice notes that remind me of autumn, with many of those flavours present in the autumn traditions and foods I grew up with.

3. 8 Wired 6 Y/O Single Malt: A whisky from the brewery 8Wired up in Matakana, a one-off release and probably one of the most slept-on New Zealand made whiskies. Over the course of its 6 year aging it was initially aged in New American Oak before being racked into two barrels previously used to age some of their stout beers. Deep and rich chocolate notes, with some nougat, baking spices, and an apple-like fruit quality to it.

4. Jameson Black Barrel: A nice budget-friendly Irish whiskey from Jameson. Essentially, it’s standard Jameson but with a higher proportion Pot Still whiskey making up the blend, and then it is finished in a heavily charred American Oak barrel. Classic Jameson notes of green apple and shortbread, but with some more depth from the charred barrel, bringing more peppery spice notes and a bit of smoke from the charring process.

I travelled to South Africa in March/April.  It is always a fun time with winery visits (13 this time), 7 days of school reunion, and then the usual friends and family visits.  There is a buzz in South Africa.  Energy and optimism (what often comes across as arrogance when encountered in Australia and New Zealand).  It is, in my opinion, naïve optimism.  Every project anyone is starting or planning is bigger than Ben Hur.  I smile quietly and nod.  I suppose that you have to think BIG to win BIG. However, we are talking about wine:  the premium wine industry in South Africa is doing well.  The wineries who have spent the last 10-15 years growing their brands (with regular visits) in the UK, Scandinavia, Germany, The Netherlands etc, are reaping the rewards.  It is good to see.  We stock many of these wines at Cahn’s and those wineries are receiving deserved recognition from the World Wine Media.  Sadie Family, Kanonkop, Meerlust, Mullineux, David and Nadia, Boekenhoutskloof, Porseleinberg and Hamilton Russell ++.  Cahn’s would have one of the ‘best’ and most representative South African wine selections in the world.  A visit to a fine wine store in Johannesburg (they ONLY stock South African wine) proved the point to me.  My regular visits to the Cape of Good Hope (what a wonderfully optimistic name!) allow me to keep my finger on the pulse of what’s happening over there.  Even more eclectic wineries like Testalonga (top natural wines) and Gedeelte wines are represented.  Why not dip a toe into Africa and see what those boere have to offer.  

Lekker dag mense.  Martin – aka The Cahn

LET US DO THE HARD WORK

We look forward to seeing you at Cahn’s again soon.  And remember to visit Aleks and Hugo at Ground Wine Bar below the shop (open 7 days a week).

We look forward to seeing you in store soon, from Martin, Tristan and Frankie (The C-Team)