873 days ago

WSET Level 3 Award in Wines

New Zealand School of Food & Wine

Learning about wine involves international travel in your glass. Here is our tasting today for the WSET Level 3. San Gregorio Fiano di Avellino DOCG from Campania, Italy, Argyros Atlantis Assyrtiko from Santorini Island, Greece, Masi Valpolicella Classico DOC, Emiliana Adobe Carmenere, organic wine from Colchagua Valley, Chile, Fontodi Chianti Classico DOCG, Marques de Riscal Reserva, Voyager Estate, The Modern Cabernet Sauvignon from Margaret River, Western Australia.

Our Sunday WSET Level 3 tasting started with Massolino Moscato d'Asti; Jansz Premier Cuvée from Tasmania, Piper Heidsieck NV followed by Fortified wines Tio Pepe Palamino Fino, the outstanding Del Duque Amontillado VORS 30 years also from Gonzales Byass; Cazes Rivesaltes AOC Ambré 2004; Warres Otima Tawny Port 20 years; Campbells Rutherglen Muscat and Williams & Humbert Pedro Ximenez 12 years old sweet sherry.

We then wrote formal tasting notes for the following wines in preparation of the WSET Level 3 exam on Sunday 12 December.

Franz Hirtzberger Gruner Veltliner Federspiel 2016;
Alba de Vetus Albarino, Rias Biaxas 2019;
Mullineux Swartland Syrah 2014 and
Prats & Symington Post Scriptum, Touriga Nacional blend 2018, Douro, Portugal

Fascinating and captivating wines for sure!

More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Lost cat - Mt Eden

Anna from Mount Eden

Still missing my girl 😔

Evie is a 14 year old grey tortie - quite pretty colouring (mainly grey with caramel) with some cream on her chest. No white on her at all. She has been missing since 16 November, 2023.

Please take a screenshot of this post so you have photos and my number handy in case you see her.

She likes people but might not let you pick her up so please take a video or photo if you see her and call me asap on 021 072 0933 (Anna).

She’s quite lean and small to medium size. When she’s happy she ‘talks’ ❤️ De-sexed and microchipped.

Last seen in Mont Le Grand Rd, Mt Eden. Please check your garage, shed, garden and under deck and house.

Apparently cats who are hiding don’t meow so please look carefully even if you don’t hear her. Thank you so much 🙏

5 hours ago

Cost of living: How to get $110 off your electricity bill through Power Credits Scheme

Brian from Mount Roskill

Some Kiwis can expect their power bill to rise this month for the third year in a row as the low-user charge is phased out – but there's a payment available for people who are struggling.
It's the third year in a row that low-power users are facing increasing fixed costs as the low-power users scheme is phased out.
To help the industry set up the $5 million Power Credits Scheme which means eligible households can access credit during the transition.
The phase out which began in 2022 will see fixed costs for low users rise every april for five years.
The scheme means households who are supplied by Contact, Meridian, Mercury, Genesis, Nova, Wise, Globug, Powershop, Frank or Toast Electric can access a $110 payment if they’re in hardship. So far $1.4 million has been paid out.
The scheme is run by the Electricity Retailers’ Association of New Zealand. Chief executive Bridget Abernethy told Consumer NZ households showing signs of energy hardship can get the payment. But Abernethy said each power company will have its own criteria for what energy hardship looks like.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) said removing the "low Fixed Charge Tariff regulations is essential for creating a fairer playing field for all New Zealand households".
However, the MBIE website acknowledged the phase-out could be challenging for some households.
"While all households are expected to benefit in the long term from the regulations being removed, some households may face higher power bills," the website said.
The credit can help households adjust, it added.
The decision to remove the low user charge was made by the then Labour Government in 2021 who called it "poorly targeted".
Then Energy Minister Megan Woods said it would mean three in five households could benefit from lower power bills.
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8 hours ago