Continuing the summing up of 2017 in pictures, July saw some cross-Atlantic action. First of all, Niagara, Canada, for the international cool climate chardonnay conference, 14C. This was my second time here, and it’s a great event, bringing together trade and consumers to celebrate Chardonnay in all its forms.
The Friday night Flights of Chardonnay event at Niagara Airport was a huge success.
We also went to Prince Edward County, where our visit to Hinterland included some crossbow action with Jonas. Here it is Magdalena Kaiser’s turn.
The Szabos brunching at Ravine.
Norman Hardie sporting his Joe Beef t-shirt and serving us his famous pizza.
Straight from i4C to the event it is loosely modelled on, the International Pinot Noir Celebration (IPNC) in McMinnville, Oregon. I managed to catch up with Jason Lett for a tasting first.
Eric Asimov and Larry Stone
Rajat Parr: the best table to sit at during IPNC is the one Raj is on!
A great tasting at Brooks, looking at their Pinot Noirs and Rieslings.
The IPNC salmon bake: a famous event, even if there’s a bit of a scramble to secure tables (it’s free seating). Everyone brings great bottles and shares them.
IPNC tasting on the lawn at Linfield College, which is a great venue.
I also spent a day in Portland, which is such a fun city. Watch Portlandia: the dream of the 90s is alive in Portland.
A quick four day holiday in Kuala Lumpa was great fun. A visit to the famous Batu caves with its resident monkey population was one highlight.
Drinking with new friends Pie and Sharif! At Fuego in Troika Sky Dining, a super spot.
TexSom in August. A superb event. As well as speaking, I went to lots of fun seminars, including a brilliant one where Francis Percival (cheese) and Melissa Monosoff (beer) collaborated to make some super pairings.
August also took me to Austria, for a couple of great tastings. First of all, we went to Carnuntum, and tried lots of local wines.
Then we went to the Erste Lagen tasting of Riesling and Gruner Veltliner from Kampala, Kremstal, Thermenregion, Wagram and Traisental.
We also caught a concert by the Czech Philharmonic. It was great fun.
September took me to Portugal, where I attended the Baga Friends event in Bairrada. We had a memorable dinner in the elaborate and slightly crazy Buçaco Palace. We also tasted a lot of great Baga.
An old vineyard of Dirk Niepoort’s that makes amazing wines.
The master, Dirk Niepoort.
Luis Pato!
Terracotta at Filipa Pato’s place.
September also took me to Argentina to judge the Wines of Argentina Awards. Above, I’m with Paz Levinson and Edy del Poplo in a remarkable vineyard in Gualtallary.
Empanadas!
I Taste Red won a Roederer Award! This was such a thrill.
Then I went to Canada, to do some speaking gigs and also to taste some wine. Ontario is making some great stuff these days.
Chardonnay in Niagara, ripening under bird nets.
I had a great tasting with Thomas Bachelder at Queylus.
Then it was off to South Australia, to visit wineries and attend the Gourmet Traveller winemaker of the year event.
Here’s Chester Osborn of d’Arenbeg and his remarkable cube.
Old vineyard in the McLaren Vale that Steve Pannell makes his amazing Koomilya wines from.
Taras Ochota! I love the Ochota Barrels wines that Taras and Amber are making in the Adelaide Hills with fruit sources across South Australia.
Tommy Shobbrook! Such good wines, from his winery in the Barossa.
And Carlos won!
One more instalment of 2017 in pictures to come…
Here’s my review of 2017 – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
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