MEAD ME AT MIDNIGHT

SPEAKING OF HONEY, DON BATLEY OF KAWA GROVE WINES IN MURIWAI, WEST AUCKLAND, HAS RELEASED HIS VERSION OF MEAD, THE MARRIAGE OF FERMENTED HONEY AND WATER ONCE DRUNK BY GREEK GODS AND VIKINGS. DON’S ‘WESTIE’ WALLOP IN A BOTTLE IS A BLEND OF VERMENTINO AND CHAMBOURCIN THAT’S BEEN FERMENTED WITH COASTAL BUSH HONEY FOR THREE MONTHS AND FINISHED WITH A DASH OF BRANDY. MEAD’S DEFINING CHARACTERISTIC IS THAT MOST OF ITS FERMENTABLE SUGAR IS DERIVED FROM HONEY, SO PREPARE FOR A DARK, SPICY, HONEY-SPIRITY OVERLOAD. TO BUY EMAIL DONBATLEY@XTRA.CO.NZ