2452 days ago

Volcanic wine tasting with John Szabo MS

New Zealand School of Food & Wine

Volcanic wines are hot, literally. It’s no secret that Mount Etna in Sicily, the Canary Islands and the Yamanashi region in near Mount Fuji are all home to some of the world’s most diverse and exciting wines, which is why one of the leading authorities on volcanic wines is coming to New Zealand to host tastings on Saturday 28 July and Sunday 29 July.

Master Sommelier John Szabo will lead two tastings on volcanic wines at the New Zealand School of Food & Wine’s annual W&F Celebration, part of Auckland’s new Elemental Festival.

He was the first Canadian to add the letters MS (Master Sommelier) to his name, in 2004, and has since written Volcanic Wines, Salt Grit and Power - a book about volcanic wine regions.

Auckland is a fitting city to host Szabo since the greater Auckland region’s volcanic field has at least 52 volcanoes. The city’s scoria cones range from 10 to 120 meters in height, contributing an unexplored aspect to Auckland’s wine terroir.

“The question is how we can enhance the reputations of wines grown in the Auckland region given most of this region’s wineries are on volcanically derived sedimentary rock,” says Celia Hay of the NZ School of Food & Wine.

Szabo will speak at the school’s annual Wine & Food Celebration on Saturday 27July and Sunday 28 July in Central Auckland.

For more information and to arrange an interview with John contact:
Celia Hay
celia@foodandwine.co.nz
021 981 947

Image
More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Poll: Are you still heading to your local for your caffeine fix, or has the $$ changed your habits? ☕

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Auckland has a thriving cafe culture, but with costs climbing, that culture is under pressure. We’ve seen the headlines about recent closures across the country, and it’s a tough pill to swallow along with a $6+ coffee.

We all want our favourite spots to stay open, but we also have to balance our own budgets ⚖️

We want to know: How are you handling the "coffee math" in 2026? Are you still heading to your local for a chat and a caffeine fix, or has the cost of living changed your habits?

Keen to read more about "coffee math"? The Post has you covered.

Image
Are you still heading to your local for your caffeine fix, or has the $$ changed your habits? ☕
  • 40.4% I avoid spending money on coffee
    40.4% Complete
  • 41.4% I still indulge at my local cafe
    41.4% Complete
  • 18.2% Irrelevant - coffee is not for me
    18.2% Complete
99 votes
3 days ago

Poll: Does a savoury scone require cheese on top, or folded inside?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Help settle the great kiwi debate ... cheese on top, or folded inside?

Image
Does a savoury scone require cheese on top, or folded inside?
  • 76.3% Inside!
    76.3% Complete
  • 23.7% On top!
    23.7% Complete
743 votes
1 day ago

💡 A Little Brain Buzz for You⚡

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

I have two faces, but show you only one.
I once had guests, but now have none.
I’m rarely bloody and seldom blue.
I’m often promised and sometimes new

(Trev from Tamatea kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Trev!)

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!

Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

Image