2017 in pictures (4)

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2017 in pictures (4)

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October saw the New Wave South Africa tasting in London. It was a brilliant event with lots of energy, and some great folk in attendance.

Eben Sadie

Eben Sadie looked smarter than usual when he presented a vertical tasting of his wines!

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Also in October, I spent a week in Japan. It was a chance to give a lecture, host some tastings, learn more about sake, and to explore the Japanese wine scene. And, of course, eat some amazing food. I loved it.

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Houraiken Nagoya

Pancake Rocks
Pancake Rocks

After Japan, I hopped over to New Zealand for a quick west coast holiday with Nat. It’s a beautiful place, and it was the first time I’d been there. We had a day of rain, but also a bit of sun.

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Then it was straight off to Montreal, where I was talking in a conference, followed by a few days exploring the vibrant food and drink scene in this lovely city. Above: Dave McMillan and Vanya Filipovic of Joes Beef/Vin Papillon/Liverpool House.

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Pedro Parra
Pedro Parra

Pedro Parra talking at the Tasting Climate Change conference.

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Then it was off to Prince Edward County to take in a few days of harvest with Norman Hardie

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Tasting with Norman Hardie
Tasting with Norman Hardie

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Also in November, a trip to Plaimont Producteurs in southwest France. Above: they are digging up some archaeological remains in front of the cathedral at Auch.

Olivier Bourdet-Pees explains the pre-phylloxera vineyard in Saint Mont
Olivier Bourdet-Pees explains the pre-phylloxera vineyard in Saint Mont

Plaimont are doing some great things, and one of the thrills was tasting a wine made from a pre-phylloxera vineyard in Saint-Mont that they’d identified and restored.

Charles Metcalfe and Oz Clarke, co-chairs
Charles Metcalfe and Oz Clarke, co-chairs

November is also Tranche 1 of the International Wine Challenge. A fun week of judging with good colleagues.

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Then straight after, Nat and I headed to the Jura and Burgundy for a quick bus-person’s holiday. We visited Ganevat!

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And we drank Ganevat in Lyon on my birthday!

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In Burgundy we did some visits, including Tonellerie Mercurey to see barrels being made.

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The new red wine cellar at Faiveley is quite stunning!

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Then back in London for a birthday bash at Winemakers Club, with some great folk.

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The Awatere Valley, Marlborough
The Awatere Valley, Marlborough

Then it was off to New Zealand for 68 days! My first hot Christmas. It’s where I am now, and there’s much more to come about this. It has been quite a year, and it has been good to pause to catch some breath.

Here’s my review of 2017 – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

2018 review: Part 1, Part 2

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