Waste no more

I'm told some people occasionally have leftover wine and worry about it going "off". Happily, this never happens in my house, but those afflicted with this problem will be heartened to know help is at hand and it doesn't involve rubber stoppers, pump-action vacuum thingies or the strange practice of freezing it in ice trays for use in casseroles.
The Wine Preserva is a plastic disc that's inserted into the neck of the bottle. It acts as a lid that sits on top of the liquid allowing you to pour it, while preventing oxygen from coming into contact with the wine, meaning its aromas and flavours stay fresh for up to five days.
It's getting rave reviews from restaurateurs and bar managers who want to serve a range of wines by the glass, but minimise the risk of waste.
At around $45 for a pack of 50 it is significantly cheaper than alternative products, simple and easy to use and won't contaminate or taint the wine. For details on where to buy, visit online at www.brightidea.co.nz
Selaks on Sunday
It seems rising food prices are threatening the future of our traditional Sunday roast and it's got the people at Selaks worried. Recent surveys have shown steep rises in food costs are likely to consign the roast to a rare household event within two decades.
Having spent the past 76 years bringing family and friends together over good food and wine, Selaks is determined not to let the Sunday roast become a faded foodie memory and has created a day in its honour: Sunday, August 1 is Selaks National Roast Day. So get your beef, your baa baa, your swine, your chook or even a rabbit or goat of some description in the oven, invite the rellies around and wash your roast down with a glass of Selaks Winemakers Favourite Pinot Noir. In fact, have a second glass over a game of monopoly afterwards - the best way to spend a wintry Sunday.

Open the Gates
Two Gates, a boutique organic producer, has launched a pair of certified organic red wines grown on its 18ha Gimblett Gravels vineyard in Hawke's Bay.
Both the Syrah and Omahu (a blend of Bordeaux varieties) retail for $55 and are from the stunning 2007 vintage, representing the first commercial release for the company.
"We place very high value on our organic status," says Andy Nurse, managing director for Two Gates, "and we aim to craft rich, textural wines with minimal intervention both in the grape growing and winemaking processes". Independent certification of Two Gates takes place annually, with the regulation and auditing of specific organic parameters for both grapes and wine undertaken by BioGro New Zealand. Visit online at www.twogates.co.nz

New in line
A pear-infused cider called Perry and an Original Cider called Kingston have joined the ranks of the newly-packaged range of boutique beers and ginger beers produced by Hawke's Bay Independent Breweries. Fans of experimental beer styles can enjoy tastings and offer their feedback on special one-off brews known as "On the Wood" beers at The Filter Room Ale and Cider house, their tasting facility on Awatoto Rd near Napier. Who knows, you could decide on the next winning beverage. Visit online at www.thefilterroom.co.nz