KEY POINTS:
Wine lovers owe a lot to Kumeu. It was where the first sauvignon blanc and pinot noir grapes were planted, and the first barrel fermented chardonnay, methode traditionelle and Bordeaux-style reds produced. It was also the first area to trial new varieties of pinotage, merlot and gewürztraminer.
To
celebrate that history, the area's 10 wineries have banded together to launch Kumeu Wine Country, Auckland's heritage wine region.
The wineries - Coopers Creek, Harrier Rise, Kerr Farm, Kumeu River, Lincoln Vineyards, Matua Valley, Nobilo, Soljans Estate, Waimarie and West Brook - are offering collective wine tastings for visitors and are highlighting other attractions, including boutique accommodation, boutique breweries, fine dining and even a wine-themed day spa.
Visit kumeuwinecountry.co.nz for more information.
Straw poll
Good news: eight strawberries a day keep sniffles away. The United States National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Disease says "superfood" strawberries are laden with nutrients, low in sugar and contain more vitamin C than oranges. Eight medium strawberries contain 84 milligrams of vitamin C and meet the recommended daily dietary allowance.
All in a good cause
Lauraine Jacobs is using the launch of her new book, The Confident Cook, to help to fund reproductive research. At a special charity book launch at La Cigale, Parnell, on Monday, November 27, $5 from each book sold on the day will be donated to Nurture. The book contains 130 of Lauraine's favorite recipes from Cuisine. Tickets to the event, at which Lauraine will speak about food and wine, cost $45 and include wine and nibbles and a short-term 10 per cent discount for goods bought at La Cigalle. Call Sheree on (09) 373-7599, ext 89493 or visit nurture.org.nz
Eye spy
Spy Valley's Ant Mackenzie was named champion white-wine maker at the Japan International Wine Challenge. The Marlborough wine label also received gold medals for its 2005 sauvignon blanc, 2005 riesling and 2004 chardonnay and a silver for its 2005 pinot gris. Entries to the competition came from 19 countries and included more than 1600 wines.
Top pinot
The country's highest-priced pinot noir has been released. Martinborough Vineyard's Marie Zelie Reserve Pinot Noir 2003 retails for $180 a bottle. The vineyard's manager, Janine Tulloch, says: "While topping the charts on price here, this is a bargain in a world and quality perspective." The wine will be exclusively allocated to select customers and trade.
Best engineered
Ice Republic's Frozen Pina Colada has won a food technology innovation award. The bi-annual Massey University Food Awards picked the packaged cocktail mix for its portability and style. Just the thing for a picnic.
Local favourites
The International Chardonnay Challenge - a competition launched out of Gisborne - has chosen the Earls 2004 reserve chardonnay, made by Auckland's Landmark Estate using grapes grown at Gisborne's Kawatiri Vineyard, as champion wine of the show.