Thursday December 10th 2009
We decided we did not want to pay corkage and so decided to try a private kitchen none of us had been to in Central. The food was fabulous (except for inability to cook a steak anything but rare). The Kusada Syrah was tasted at this tasting. We had already had a Chardonnay, and a Cab between three of us, we had eaten strange small canapes, smoked salmon on top of lime & avocado cream. So needless to say, despite lots of bread and water while trying to taste the wines my palate could very well have been jeopordised. I look forward to trying this wine again with a completely clean palate, and of course you will be the first to know how it goes!
Saturday February 20th, 2010
Now this truly was a night not to be missed. Natalie's parents were in town and we definitely showed them a night they wouldn't forget. The theme was rare and collectible wines. We had a wonderful Calena Zapata Malbec 05, Clos mogador 05, Chateau Langoa Barton 2001, Chateau Montelena '98, a wonderful super-Tuscan from Tenuta but most excitingly was the vertical Grange tasting, 1980 and 2004. The night then progressed to an enomatic bar and needless to say we stumbled out happier than larry has ever been! Great night had by all.
Thursday January 28th 2010
Back in HK and it was time for us to all get together again, try out a new private kitchen with no corkage, and taste the loot we all came back with from our Christmas holidays. Started off with a Schrambsberg Blanc de Noirs, then continued comparing a Te Mata Viognier with a traditional French Rhone viognier, some questionable Australian wine (that for some reason Winston loved) along with some fascinating Merlot, and all topped off with a delicious Zinfandel Port. We all had different foods, but our reactions to the wines were all relatively similar, I don't think there was any particular food that changed our palates too much.
Sunday December 20th-Wednesday December 23rd, 2009
This tasting went on for several days as I traipsed through the North Island of NZ. Stopped off at the wine store with the enomatic tasting system (name totally slips my mind right now), however it was gorgeous! Loved the glass roof dessert wine cellar. Then spent Monday tasting my way through Hawkes Bay, then finally heading down to Martinborough and spending Tuesday tasting my way through the amazing vineyards there. Tasted lots, but I will only mentioned the ones that really stuck out.
Friday December 11th 2009
The joys of being in the wine business paid off (yet again) during the work Christmas party. We were treated to a delicious dinner and most importantly a selection of our best wines. We had Rochioli Sauvignon Blanc 2005 up against Merry Edwards 2008, as well as many more fantastic (and expensive) American wines. Delish!