Bastards of Pinot Noir

That wonderful Bastard Larry

Inspired by one of the ‘take home’ messages from the New Zealand Pinot Noir Celebration 2013, so eloquently articulated by Sam Neill, I have been doodling away on the “Bastards of Pinot Noir”.

It’s meant to be a song although reads more like a poem but I’m thinking if someone can come up with a musical score, along the lines of Led Zeppelin ‘Stairway to Heaven” or Johnny Lee Hooker Mr Lucky with some long guitar riffs, it might sound… well…more like a song.

What do think?

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Meet Kaz, the New Zealand Falcon: Felton Road’s new bird deterrent system for the 2013 vintage

With picking for the 2013 vintage in Central Otago underway, the most alluring prospect for any pest bird such as Starlings, Sparrows and Indian Blackbirds is a nice ripe, juicy-sweet grape. These nuisance birds peck holes in grapes to drink the juice which exposes the grapes to fungal infection and subsequently the whole bunch is damaged. Read More >

The Avoca Hotel – a grand old gold rush hotel in central Victoria, serving fine food and local wines

As you travel about country Victoria, in every small town the best buildings are the Banks, the Churches, and of course the Hotels. The Banks are closing their small branches and leaving town, and the Churches are facing dwindling congregations. But there’s a resurgence among country hotels.
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The Sommelier’s Palate – Benjamin Skipper, Melbourne, Australia

(pronounced suh-mal-‘yAy)

In Medieval Provençal times they were saumaliers, animal pack drivers who evolved during Middle French kingdom to become court officials charged with transportation of supplies. So what does a modern day Sommelier actually do? Well, Wikipedia outlines as such, “A sommelier or wine steward is a trained and knowledgeable wine professional, normally working in fine restaurants who specializes in all aspects of wine service as well as wine and food matching. The most important work of a sommelier is in the areas of wine procurement, wine storage, wine cellar rotation, and expert service to wine consumers.” Read More >

Noir – The Heart of Darkness

“Maya, Indian goddess of illusions, siren of shipwrecked sailors; if only you lactated Pinot Noir, you’d be perfect.”  Miles to Maya in the movie ‘Sideways’. Read More >

Buying Wine | Related to: |
Must-Have Wine – Red Wine of the Lunar Year (Dragon) – Rippon Mature Vines Point Noir 2009 – Wanaka, Central Otago, New Zealand

The Wandering Palate Must-Have Wines of the Lunar Year - Dragon 2012

Admittedly my predilection for pinot noir is perhaps a prejudice in my choice of ‘Red Wine of the Year’ and this sneak preview of my annual retrospective of wine highlights, the Year of the Dragon – 2012. However, the irrefutable fact is, Rippon Mature Vines Pinot Noir 2009 was the most profoundly complex, texturally sensual and incredibly drinkable wine I encountered all year; a wine of extraordinary charm and approachability even it its youth. And I will go further and declare it is the most impressive current release New World pinot noir I have ever had – period. Read More >

“A great, fully fleshed list ordered under user-friendly headings” – Age Epicure on Man Tong Kitchen Wine List

The Age Epicure, February 19th –  “eat out” by Larissa Dubecki

Review of Man Tong Kitchen, Crowne Casino, Melbourne and praise for the Wandering Palates wine list program

“A great, fully fleshed list ordered under user-friendly headings”

“An informed wine list is another example of the forward-thinking operation”

To see the wine list in full click here

To read the full article, follow the link http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/viewer.aspx

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Nicolas Olivry refutes “A meal with wine could only be breakfast…” with a Monteverro Chardonnay 09, Tuscany

Nicolas Olivry joined me for breakfast this morning. He thought we should try pairing chardonnay with fried eggs and pork sausages… as he refuses to accept “A meal without wine could only be breakfast…” And yes chardonnay does goes well with fried eggs and pork sausages, or specifically Monteverro Chardonny 09 www.monteverro.com Love your work Nico! Read More >