You heard it here first. Frank Cornelissen is one of the sexiest names in wine today.
Frank was originally born in Belgium in 1961 and quickly followed in his father’s footsteps as a fine wine collector and broker across the European continent.
At the tender age of 14, he bought his first case of legendary Domaine de la Romanee Conti (one of the rarest and most sought after wines on the planet). Upon a visit to Georgia in 2000, Frank became more and more interested in ancient winemaking techniques from ungrafted vines and from native varieties without any oak maturation.
The following year, whilst dining at a restaurant, the sommelier showed Frank a native and ungrafted wine from Mount Etna in Sicily. It was a revelation. The silkiness, the length, the taste of the volcanic rock changed his life. Within a week, Frank was in Sicily and not long after had planted his first vines of Nerello Mascalese on some of the steepest slopes of Mt Etna.
And now, the odyssey brings these sexy wines to K’ Road. I am sitting at Tappo in St Kevins arcade with sommelier and all round cool guy James Pain. We are sharing a glass of Frank Cornelissen’s 2019 Munjebel Rosso made from indigenous yeasts with some skin contact. Wow! The wine is exceptional. Length, savoury notes, cherry fruit, a smoky quality and hint of extra virgin olive. James brings out a bowl of Nocellara del Belice Sicilian olives to share. Delicious – the simple pairing is always the best.
Tappo and next door Pici are owned by Chef’s Kaz Suzuki, Jono Thevenard and marketing extraordinaire Gemma Hareb. By morning, Tappo is an additional prep area for Pici. By afternoon, Tappo transforms into one of the coolest bars in Auckland. The absolute perfect spot for an aperitif before heading to Pici or any of the myriad hospitality options on K’ Road. A beautiful mixture of Italian and Kiwi wines, selected in a way dear to Frank Cornelissen’s heart – beautiful wines that engage with their terroir in the most natural and delicious way.
James epitomises all of these things. Independent, intelligent, humorous, social and well travelled, he sums up everything that is St Kevins Arcade. This really is one of the hippest spots in Auckland with a truly eclectic and stand alone collection of business adorning it. The famous Whammy Bar downstairs showcasing aspiring and established musicians has brought many an Aucklander to these colonnades surrounding a warm and friendly communal eating hall.
Tappo is definitely my kind of joint. Easy vibes, good company, quality offerings. As I walked out onto K’ Road, dusk had fallen. The Outer Link bus parked up for me as if it was my own limo. ‘Homeward bound’, I cried and off my most valiant driver ferried me into the K’ Road sunset. (PUNEET DHALL)
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Published: November 2023