New Zealand Wine Guide (2nd Edition) Book Launch
We celebrated the launch of the NZ Wine Guide with a wine tasting (naturally) and a guest appearance by illustrious wine maker and winery photographer, Kevin Judd. It is certainly Kevin's photos that provide such meaningful illustrations of the story of New Zealand wine and Kevin joined us live from his home in Marlborough.
Our tasting included 15 leading New Zealand Wines
Kumeu River Cremant
Blackenbrook Pinot Gris 2019
Tongue in Groove Riesling 2015
Millton Chenin Blanc 2018
Hans Herzog Mistral: Viognier, Marsanne, Roussane 2017
Kelly Washington Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay 2018
Cambridge Road Pinot Noir 2017
Greywacke Pinot Noir 2017
Burn Cottage Pinot Noir 2016
Passage Rock Syrah 2019
Craggy Range Merlot 2016
Hans Herzog Tempranillo 2015
Oak Estate Late Harvest Chardonnay 2018
Pegasus Bay Finale Noble Sauvignon Semillon 2017
We asked our guests to complete a questionnaire that included about what they liked about the wine: fruit? acid? mouthfeel? and then if they would buy the wine (as price is no object!).
The 5 top rated wines were:
Millton Chenin Blanc 2018
Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay 2018
Burn Cottage Pinot Noir 2016
Hans Herzog Tempranillo 2015
Pegasus Bay Finale Noble Sauvignon Semillon 2017
The 5 wines that people would buy were:
Millton Chenin Blanc 2018
Oak Estate Late Harvest Chardonnay 2018
Burn Cottage Pinot Noir 2016
Hans Herzog Tempranillo 2015
Pegasus Bay Finale Noble Sauvignon Semillon 2017
Pegasus Bay Finale Noble Sauvignon Semillon was the resounding winner on both questions.
Just goes to show that many kiwis do have a sweet-spot for those luscious white wines...
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we are having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
Share your question below now ⬇️
Message from PM Luxon
Yesterday marks one year since the National-led Government took office and immediately got to work on reducing the cost of living, restoring law and order and delivering better health and education.
The achievements we’ve made in just one year are thanks to the resilience and determination of everyday New Zealanders.
There’s a lot more work to do, and I know many Kiwis are still doing it tough. But we have made real progress to ensure that Kiwis keep more of their hard-earned money, feel safer in their communities, can access life-changing medicines and treatments, grow their businesses, can benefit from critical infrastructure, and to help our kids achieve at school. Here are just some of the highlights from our first year in Government:
• Inflation has dropped to 2.2%, bringing relief from mortgages
• 83% of New Zealanders have received tax relief, putting more money in their back pockets
• Wages are growing faster than inflation, putting more money into Kiwis’ budgets
• 40,000 families have received FamilyBoost childcare payments to help reduce their childcare costs
• Delivered a 30% increase in Police foot patrols and a 60% decrease in ram raids
• Invested $604m in Pharmac to deliver up to 26 new cancer treatments
• Slashed the regulations holding back farmers
• Progressed the Fast Track Approvals regime to get stuff built, fast
• Led eight trade missions, delivered three trade agreements and resolved 16 barriers to trade because more Kiwi products on shelves overseas means higher incomes
• Cracked down on gangs and banned gang patches in public
• Progressed our plan for tougher sentences for serious criminals
• Banned cell phones in classrooms
• Required an hour of reading, writing and maths a day for our students
• Put in place structured literacy and maths from Term 1 next year so kids can grow the skills they need to succeed
• Invested $16.7b into health and set ambitious targets for shorter waits in the emergency department and for surgery.
My Government was elected on a promise to improve the lives of New Zealanders in the areas that matter most to them. We’re making good progress and I’m committed to keeping our promise with bold action that delivers positive results for all New Zealanders.
Thank you,
Christopher
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