Started by visiting the Wine Centre in Hawkes Bay. Amazing place, well worth any wine drinker’s time. The Aroma Awareness room alone is a gem of a place. You get to scent each of the 54 scents in wine, including a half dozen of the bad smells. After that off cruising the neighbourhood wineries. Elephant… Continue reading New Zealand Day 6
Author: james romanow
New Zealand Day 5, Syrah
The weather is appalling, a monsoon. We checked into the County Hotel in Napier. It’s a grand old place, and as it’s winter we scooped the Vice Regal Suite, complete with whirlpool tub, lounge area with beautifully veneered dining suite, and of course our own complete set of dishes should we feel like putting on… Continue reading New Zealand Day 5, Syrah
New Zealand Day 4 – Syrah
So remember the syrah I turned my nose up at, on the flight over? Boy was I ever wrong! I knew about the NZ Pinot Noir coming over. And I had heard that there were various Bordeaux blends from Hawkes Bay. But NOBODY was talking about syrah. Well they should. This is a different style… Continue reading New Zealand Day 4 – Syrah
New Zealand Day 1
Off down under, to cold rainy weather. It’s winter in the southern hemisphere, and having a very temperate climate, the Kiwi’s like to pretend you don’t need heat. Ahem. Air New Zealand flight cramped – I hate 777 3-3-3 layout. But the food is well above average for plane food, and the wine selection very… Continue reading New Zealand Day 1
Bubbly Primer
Sparkling wine is now made all over the world to generally very high standards. I would encourage you to sample them all. (Unless you’re absurdly wealthy. Then by all means limit yourself to champagne and sneer at the rest of us plebes.) For those of you who are relatively new to bubbly, and champagne, here’s… Continue reading Bubbly Primer