For the past few months, I've been tootling around the country filming for my wine series, Thirsty Work, for FoodTV, and I've been privileged to spend time with some of the most inspiring, hard-case, hard-working (and in some cases hard-living) individuals you'd hope to meet.
Winemakers and grape growers are artists, scientists and farmers all rolled into one, yet despite working in the same industry, their stories and individual takes on what makes them get out of bed each day are markedly different from person to person.
Picking my way through vineyards and wineries heaving with harvest chaos, I've had the chance to ask a lot of vineyard managers and winemakers what their favourite piece of equipment is. What's the one piece of kit, technology, whatever, that they can't live without in their job? They're intelligent, dedicated, passionate people, so I was expecting to hear things like "my cellphone/laptop/refractometer [which helps read the sugar levels in grape juice]/my new de-stemmer/awesome new 5000-litre fermenter/flash new press/my Toyota Hilux" - things like that.
What I actually got (and this is the absolute truth) was "my gumboots", "the coffee machine", "the stereo" and "the fridge, because that's where the beer is ..."
You learn something new every day.
From our time team
Archaeologists have uncovered a 1500-year-old wine-pressing complex, which exceeds 100sq m, in Israel among the ruins of an ancient Byzantine settlement.
At the site near Hamei Yoav, researchers found a ceramic lantern fashioned in the shape of a miniature church and carved with crosses, suggesting the ancient wine factory was owned by a Christian.
The winemaking complex had compartments where the grapes were likely left to ferment after being delivered from the vineyard, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) said. At its centre was a large, sloped treading floor where the fruit was pressed, sending the juice into settling and collecting vats.
The archaeologists said they found a cavity that was probably used to turn grape waste into vinegar and low-grade "paupers' wine", reported LiveScience.
Three similar wine presses were found in the region close to the main road leading from Ashkelon, located along the coast, to Bet Guvrin, which is in the Judean Shephelah.
"Ashkelon was a commercial city with a port through which wine from Israel was marketed to the entire Mediterranean Sea basin," says Saar Ganor, the Ashkelon district archaeologist of the IAA. The church-shaped lantern found at the site gives a clue as to who was behind the winemaking operation. The ceramic artefact had an oval opening on one side where a little oil lamp would have been slipped inside.
The crosses carved into the sides of the "church" would have glowed when lit up.
Boost your brew knowledge
The Brewers Guild of New Zealand is offering one-day educational beer workshops across the country, designed to expand the beer knowledge of people working in the hospitality and retail industries as well as amateur brewers and just about anyone else with an interest in craft beer.
"This is a great opportunity for people working in the brewing industry to gain national recognition for their skills and improve their knowledge for the advancement of the industry as a whole," says Ralph Bungard, President of the Guild.
"The demand for craft beers continues to grow, and education about different beer styles is the key to long-term success for this sector. Staff need to know what they're serving to customers, to ensure ongoing credibility and trust in our brands."
Self-titled "hop goddess" Vicki Purple has played a key role in getting this qualification off the ground.
"Craft beer is now coming of age, with a growing audience of discerning buyers. It's vital that everyone working in the industry can demonstrate an excellent understanding and breadth of knowledge around the product, and this is just what the Certificate in the Craft of Beer aims to do."
Taking part in the workshop will result in the achievement of New Zealand's only formally recognised Certificate in the Craft of Beer, which has been developed in association with Service IQ (formerly Hospitality Standards Institute or HSI), the body responsible for setting national qualification standards in the hospitality industry.
In addition to a research project and beer and food matching menu, which candidates complete in their own time, the Workshops comprise three NZQA unit standards requiring participants to demonstrate an appreciation of beer heritage, styles and flavours, including a practical taste test, and knowledge of beer and beer service.
Workshops cost $345 and are scheduled for:
May 13: Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch
May 20: Dunedin
May 27: Rotorua.
For more information, visit www.brewersguild.org.nz
TOP TASTES
MONTEITHS AUTUMN AMBER ALE 330ml, $14 (6pk)
My new favourite change-of-season sip. The colour of kauri gum and boasting a tasty amalgam of sheepskin, oatmeal slice and rich, smooth, malty magic. Nice. www.monteiths.co.nz
DANIEL LE BRUN METHODE TRADITIONNELLE 2008, $39
One of the best things I've tasted all year. With gorgeous aromas of Danish pastry and lemon shortbread, and a lovely, elegant mouthfeel and delightfully sophisticated finish. Did I just use the word "delightfully"? Anyway. It's like a blonde Princess Mary of Denmark in a bottle, basically. www.daniellebrun.co.nz
ALLAN SCOTT MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC 2012, $21
This is a classic quenching sauvignon blanc with lemon sorbet, basil, lime, passionfruit and all those good things you expect in Marlborough sauvignon blanc. Not power-packed in the mid-palate, but pretty snazzy with pan-seared snapper and salty chips. www.allanscott.com
PEGASUS BAY WAIPARA MERLOT CABERNET 2008, $28
Intriguing, meaty, savoury spice-driven aromatics and a finely tuned structure, poised, balanced (not big) but showing some subtle, cigar box flavours and a dusty, earthy finish. A nice southern example. www.pegasusbay.com
HAHA MARLBOROUGH PINOT NOIR 2012, $19
Get ready for a sweet raspberry and redcurrant berry explosion, followed by pomegranate and cranberry, liquorice and a fresh, vibrant personality. Fruity, fabulous and fantastic value for money. www.hahawine.com
Lewis ran for mayor in Hamilton and Auckland. Earlier, she streaked at All Blacks game.