Capri Bar & Eatery, Wellington

If you ever find yourself in Wellington, it would be worth taking an hour or so out of your day for a fortifying glass of bubbles and for that Capri will more than suffice.

Apart from my recent success with the bubbles (Bird in Hand & Veuve Clicquot) I'm a fan of the decor which is well styled without being too try-hard, the music, which at one point was straight out of Steve Wright's Sunday love songs and the well thought out wine and spirit selection.

It appeals to the Stepford Wife in me, all white tables and chairs, pretty dresses and champagne but luckily without the mind-controlled robots and Bette Midler. I'm not going to be in Wellington for a long time but I'm happy to know that I can definitely be here for a good time. So ladies, curl your hair and slick on the lipstick, gentlemen polish those shoes and put on a clean shirt there's some stylish drinking to be done.

Capri Bar & Eatery www.capribar.co.nz

146 Featherstone Street, Wellington +64 4472 2613

Veuve Clicquot NV

It's been a dogs age since I reviewed any Champagne so when the girls suggested we went down to Capri for a cheeky glass of Veuve Clicquot I hot footed it down there.

It's really easy to forget about the big brands as they are everywhere and one assumes that everyone will have tasted it. As my friend Ging says, "Assumption is the mother of all f#%k ups" so one review coming up...

Tight, tiny bubbles formed some fine beading on the rim and the nose had rich and toasty notes with stone fruits, lemon, bread and biscuits coming through. On the palate I found it a little youthful and the dosage slightly clunky, maybe to try and even out the green flavours. 

That aside the toastier notes from the nose do make it through onto the palate and hints of lemon, quince and honey combine to make the youthfulness less obvious. I would probably say this non-vintage could do with spending a bit more time ageing before release to be shown at its full glory.