This photo was recently seen on the Wine Enthusiast Magazine site in a story written by Kevin.
Apertivo at Pitti Gola wine bar in Florence, across from the Pitti Palace. Run by 3 knowledgeable young Tuscans who taste every wine they stock.
The Northland of New Zealand has only recently emerged as a winemaking region though it was the first place vines were planted in NZ in 1819 by Anglican minister Samuel Marsden. Its climate is subtropical so grape growing can be a touch challenging given the humidity and periodic costal cyclones. Yet, some people have taken a stab at it anyway. On Sunday afternoons there isn’t much to do up in the Northland so we headed up from Paihia to Kerikeri, about 26kms/16 miles, to the Marsden Estate Winery.
As visitors who came to New Zealand to learn more about the wine and food of the region we thought it would be great to attend the Gisborne Wine & Food Festival. It fell on New Zealand’s “labour” weekend - the equivalent of Labor Day in the US.
In our minds we pictured tasting through the wines of the 10 or so wineries featured and taking the shuttle bus between the 5 venues without a care in the world. In reality what we experienced surprised us (which is saying a lot because it’s not like either of us are exactly innocent). The people of New Zealand do like their wine. Picture Roman times, vomit troughs, public urination etc... although the scenery was stunning - especially at Amor-Bendall on the beach.
Arriving in Paso Robles I couldn’t help but be disappointed. On the surface El Paso de Robles was brown and barren. However, upon further inspection we found many charming aspects and havens in this up and coming wine region on the central coast of California. Arriving in Paso at the end of summer was perhaps a poor choice in such a hot region. The vines were mostly picked and the hills looked as if they needed a big drink of water. Of course, this aridness is what gives the wines of Paso their character. A few brave growers even dry farm here relying on deep water and nighttime fog to provide moisture for the vines which in turn makes them more hearty.
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