Feb 8-9
Hi All,
Another successful few days tasting wines in the largest wine producing region in New Zealand, the Marlborough Region. Over 70% is Sauvignon Blanc which is not one of my favorites but I made do with a few Pinot Noirs and Syrah’s. Kathy liked some of the Sauvignon Blancs, some of the Chardonnays and some of the reds. The car trunk says no mas and is quite full so we should be just fine for the next few months:)))
I also said no mas the 2nd day….yep, I have had a cough/cold/allergies almost since landing in NZ and it finally got to me…way down into the lungs now…well, after 3 wineries coughing into the glass I said no mas:))) I just needed an afternoon off…slept and got the IRS audit thingee somewhat done….what a pita doing online but all is documented if they accept “Rite-Aid” on the Visa statement w/o the receipts, which we have, but back in a shoe box at the house:))))
We went to a pharmacy today in Nelson (2nd one) and I’m full of various drgus that hopefully will have me at full capacity for the Heaphy Track on Monday. Funny that the pharmacist told me no more wine for a few days….not sure how they practice medicine in NZ but really!!!!
Stats:
Traveled: 30 miles; 600 miles total now; my infamous spreadsheet says 450 miles to Blenheim so it looks like a 4 to 3 ratio…..that says our roadtrip will be about 3500-4000 miles…we shall see!!
Wrong Turns: GG is so kind, holding at 4:)))
One Way Bridges: at least 12 and counting; I finally figured out there are signs saying who has right-of-way (yes, my Kiwi friends are rolling their eyes now and yes, it was Kathy who “politely” educated me) which does give some comfort if the other person knows!!!!
Wineries: Cloudy Bay, Wither Hills, Wairau River, Herzog, Fromme (maybe our favorite), Seresin, and Nautilas
Hotel: I forgot to mention in Picton we stayed at the Beachcomber Inn…very nice and somehow we got the harbor view room with a balcony….very nice after the hike to sit with a scotch and watch a rain storm come in now that we were all comfy and out of the weather:)))
Hotel in Blenheim: Brookby Cottage, very nice. This is a guest house for the couple who own this working vineyard. The have pinot noir and sauvignon blanc grapes which they sell to Giesen Winery….and, a lot of olive tress, which unfortunately they lost their contract so have no one to sell to. They just bought a press and will make some oil for their own private use!!!
Food: Loved the hotel in Picton but hard time with the restaurant….1st night closed, 2nd night after the hike and a few drams we went in for a celebratory dinner….did you make reservations sir, uh no, we are staying here…well, we have 2, not 1, but 2 buses staying here and we are booked….sorry….a 2nd more friendly lady saw my lips quiver at the thought of having to walk a few more blocks to the next restaurant and said, wait, you can order room service….now yo’re talking….I’ll have the porterhouse (actually it was the sirloin side, no bone with sautèed scallops and shrimp, excellent, Kathy had the scallops but it was done in a too rich cream sauce so not so good, but we had it with a Black Barn Syrah….medium body with a strong peppery note….perfect with the steak!!!!
Wairau Winery: Kathy had one of the best sandwiches yet….Soy braised pork belly burger, Asian slaw, sweet sour dressing, sriracha mayo, prawn crackers…..the pork belly probably had about 30% fat which was easily trimmed, had been slowed cooked/smoked and with the sriracha mayo…just outstanding!!!
That’s it for now….off to Takaka for the next 3 days….hiking Abel Tasman and Farewell Spit!!!
Hope all is well!!
John
View of the vines and hills from Cloudy Bay Winery
Kathy at The Nautilus Winery
