Legacy Of Better wines for Titirangi drinkers

Titirangi’s wine and beer drinkers have become far more discerning in what they purchase today compared to 10-years ago, according to well-known liquor retailer Colleen Beattie who has managed the Titirangi Wines and Spirits outlet for the past decade.

During her time in charge of the liquor outlet in the heart of Titirangi Village, Colleen has seen a marked swing away from chardonnay to sauvignon blanc, and from budget brand beers into premium pours. Quality has now replaced cost as a primary factor in choosing which beer to take home.

“People are drinking better rather than more when it comes to beer,” notes Colleen who last month stepped aside from running Titirangi Wines and Spirits. “There’s also been a shift from cabernet sauvignon to pinot noir. People are becoming far more open to trying new wine styles and that has thrown the challenge out to retailers to stock a wider range of wines to meet those choices. We’re carrying a far greater product range in store than we were 10-years ago.”

After 10-years at the helm, Colleen Beattie has made a lifestyle change and is relocating to Horowhenua just north of Wellington. Colleen celebrated her last week in town with a group of friends at the legendary Hardware café/restaurant… just around the corner from the wines, beers and spirits shop where she served so faithfully and with her own inimitable brand of humour..

“I’ll miss a lot of the Titirangi locals,” said a tearful Colleen who lived just around the corner from the Titirangi Road store. “After so many years I’ve had scores of loyal customers become friends. You get to know what they buy when they come into the shop, what their family is up to, what’s happening in their lives. It’s a real community atmosphere… I’ll miss that.”

Taking over from Colleen is Jany Miller who is already well recognised by Waitakere City residents who enjoy socialising in the city’s hospitality venues. During her six-year career with the Portage Licensing Trust – which own and operate Titirangi Wines and Spirits – Jany Miller has been relief duty manager at many of the trust’s bar and bottle store businesses.

“I know I’ve got a big reputation to fill coming in after Colleen. She has created so much good will among the people of Titirangi and I’ll be working hard to keep that spirit alive,” said Jany.

Two new initiatives Jany Miller has brought to the store are complimentary gift-wrapping of any product for that special occasion, and more wine tastings – particularly on Friday nights and Saturday afternoons.

“I think it’s important for people to try before they buy,” said Jany. “Wine tastings are an excellent opportunity for customers to sip a wine variety they might not normally have considered purchasing. New Zealand’s liquor industry is now more about education and encouraging appreciation of good wines rather than simply selling as much product as possible… and that’s certainly a direction Titirangi Wines and Spirits is interested in pursuing.”

Ends

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