Popped into my sister’s for a quick lunch today, picking up our boys who had been staying over while we were at a wedding. Ended up being served three very…
Lunch at Caravan, Exmouth Market, with Seresin Pinot, Palacios Priorat and Camden Pale Ale
Had a lunch worth commenting on at Caravan in Exmouth Market yesterday. It’s an airy, informal dining room with a menu that focuses on creative small plates, and a cracking, perfectly…
In Auckland with Kumeu River
The final visit of my New Zealand adventure was at Kumeu River, a family-run estate a short drive from Auckland. This is close to where the New Zealand wine industry began in…
What the Wellington Ukulele Orchestra tells us about terroir
On Friday night I went to a strange but enjoyable concert. Neudorf Vineyards in Nelson were hosting a gig by the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra. There were quite a few…
In Martinborough, with Palliser, Ata Rangi and Craggy Range
Three visits in Martinborough, on a Sunday where I could have been playing cricket. An English touring side with connections to the wine trade were playing a Kiwi side, and…
Making sense of Matt Kramer, Pinot Noir 2013 keynote
Pinot Noir kicked off with two contrasting keynote speeches, the first of which was delivered by Matt Kramer of the US publication The Wine Spectator, and author of a string…
In Gisborne with Millton
Annie Millton was honest enough to admit that she’d read the diary wrong and that her and James weren’t expecting me, when she picked me up from Gisborne airport. Despite…
In Marlborough, and four good visits
I’m beginning to get to know my way around Marlborough now. It’s a region with an incredible story, springing up from nowhere in the 1970s to its current position as…
New Zealand, day 3, in Nelson with Neudorf
I worked out that since November 2008, my first visit to New Zealand, I have visited five times in five years. That’s a significant accrual of air miles. But over…