TN: Wines in a depressing week

"Mike Tommasi" wrote

You *will* be reminded !!!!!

Whilst the dream of standing roadside on l'Alpe d'Huez or Mont Ventoux or the Col du Tourmalet remain, many people have indicated that actually being there can be a disappointment, and that watching the entire event on TV is more rewarding.

Besides, why should one visit France, when France is on holiday.

So, I would probably watch the Tour on TV and venture forth in Autumn - next year may be a trifle early, but certainly during September/October '06 is our current thinking.

Nowadays, the thought of enjoying a couple of days in a coastal Mediterranean village has more appeal than waiting for the same time on the side of a mountain for a passing glimpse of my cycling heroes.

How about renting a small stone house, an ancient "four a pain" now suitable for living in, surrounded by Bandol vineyards atop a hill overlooking the Mediterranean? (at La Tour du Bon)

Mike

Mike Tommasi, Six Fours, France email link

"Mike Tommasi" suggested.....

Now you are talking my kind of language !!!!

I do recall an article you referred to a couple years ago on the subject of tomatoes.

I know autumn is not the prime tomato season, but we would be interested in seeing (tasting!!!) some of those older species of which you wrote.

As soon as I get this new business off the ground, I suppose I should start learning some basic French.

Parlez-vous la Nouvelle Zélande ? is not going to get me very far, is it?

We shall correspond further.

"Dana H. Myers" wrote

Dana, my place is your place - but I am not going to drag you down here - just find a couple of weeks and I'll do the rest.

It is a non-stop flight from LAX to Auckland, and I promise, we are nearly human!!!!

If you did, I trust you enjoyed this wine - it is one of the better examples of NZ Pinot.

And a very civilized 12.5 hour flight it is, though I might dispute that "human" part, milud. After all, you all seem perfectly happy living life whilst standing on your heads ;-)

Certainly, they've produced the best I've tried to date. In fact, I'm planning on reliving the afw field trip of 2001 next weekend by opening both the 2000 Martinborough PN and the '99 Gary Farrell RRV PN that I opened for you all in Napier.

Mark Lipton

I appreciate this offer very much. Thank you.

Heh ;-) I'd probably start in SFO ;-)

I didn't get a chance to open one this weekend, but the several times I've had it, it's exceptional.

Cheers! Dana

"Mark Lipton" wrote .....

Of course we are happy, Mark - the nearest nuclear bomb or power station is a 12.5 hour flight away :-)))))

Now that would be an interesting comparison, three years on.

B.T.W., the centre of pinot excellence is now shared between Martinborough, and Central Otago.

Although the volumes coming out of the latter are still miniscule, huge areas have been planted in the past four years, and some of the wines emerging are excellent.

Next time you are down here, this will be high on the visiting agenda.

I went to the Martinborough WEB site, I saw the Wine makers, now I know why you want to open another vineyard you rascal, Claire is a real Keeper!. I am currently printing off Marlborough Wine District products from a TIZ site. I am going to see if my Liquor Control Board of Ontario store lists any of your wines. I think I have seen the Single Peak label.

take care

Bob Patrick

Martinborough,