• Home
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About

Category Archives: Terroir

You are what you know

Posted on July 21, 2021 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

This is the companion book to the British produced documentary series – a 10 week hour long series.


The title comes from the philosophical idea that the universe essentially only exists as one perceives it through what one knows; therefore, if one changes one’s perception of the universe with new knowledge, one has essentially changed the universe itself.

To illustrate this concept, James Burke tells the various stories of important scientific discoveries and technological advances and how they fundamentally altered how western civilization perceives the world. The series runs in roughly chronological order, from around the beginning of the Middle Ages to the present.


The Day the Universe Changed, James Burke, 0-316-11704-4

Nobel and Potent

Posted on July 17, 2021 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

This is a potent wine – smooth and well balanced. It is  refreshing and has a luscious finish.


Authentically Douro. Named after the emblematic cedar tree that dominates the terrace of Quinta do Noval, Cedro do Noval is an authentic expression of the Douro. Principally made up of classic Portuguese varieties, it also contains a proportion of Syrah, which rounds out the fruit.


Cedro is typically a blend of several of the noble Portuguese varieties and some experimental plots. The 2017 vintage is composed of 55 % Touriga Nacional, 25 % Syrah, 15 % Touriga Franca, 5 % Tinto Cão.

The wine is vinified through pump overs in stainless steel vats. Aging is in French oak casks (12% new) for approximately 10 months.

Duriense Quinta Noval DURIENSE – QUINTA NOVAL CEDRO DO NOVAL 2016
$25.97  regularly $29.99

13.5 % alcohol

UPC: 05601064000231

mystery case syrah Tinto Cao Touriga Franca Touriga Nacional

Well Built

Posted on July 17, 2021 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

Full, mellow and velvety – with a perfect blend of flavours.  

There is a very nice structure to this wine with a long and very interesting finish. There is a lovely deep ruby colour to it.

85% Montepulciano, 15% Aglianico


BIFERNO ROSSO – DI MAJO NORANTE RAMITELLO 2013

$21.99 Regularly $26.99

13 % Alcohol

UPC: 08011315000052

Aglianico Montepulciano d'Abruzzo mystery case

And so the story goes

Posted on July 15, 2021 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

Stolen Colt celebrates Samuel McWilliam, whose passion and grit led him to over the challenges of the “Bandit Country”, pushing the boundaries to successfully start his own vineyard in regional New South Wales. Horse thieves and notorious gangs and bushrangers.  


The Stolen Colt Shiraz is bold  with dark fruit flavours. The palate is Intense dark berry fruits, toasty oak and fleshy tannins.

What did you feed them back in 1857?

New version of the house Garlic Chicken Pasta.  Used ‘spiral’ homestyle multiflavour German Egg Noodles. Worked really well.  Would use these the next time the great grandkids want spaghetti.

Stolen Colt ShirazSHIRAZ – MCWILLIAMS STOLEN COLT

$12.99 regularly $15.99

14% Alcohol

UPC: 09311769006297

mystery case New South Wales Shiraz

Iconic Entrepreneur

Posted on July 14, 2021 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

He was one of the most sought after, oft misunderstood figures of the 20th Century. It’s an intriguing look at Steve Jobs.

Steve Jobs – Walter Isaacson ISBN 1-4516-4853-9

Goddess in the Sun

Posted on July 10, 2021 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

Friuli-Venezia Giulia is an autonomous region of Italy, in the far northeast corner, bounded by the borders with Austria and Slovenia to the north and east respectively. The DOC designation which which covers the whole area is known either as Friuli, or by the longer name.


In terms of terroir, the most important influence on Friuli-Venezia Giulia’s vineyards is their position between the Alps and the Adriatic. The mountainous topography in the north and east lifts many vineyards above the low-lying cloud that is sometimes trapped between the hills and the coast.

Consequently, the vines bask in bright sunshine while temperatures are moderated by altitude. This helps the grapes to develop full phenolic ripeness and aromatic depth before their sugar levels peak.


An intense and complex bouquet. Full bodied and almost velvety on the palate. A minerally finish follows a pleasant and sweet taste.


This wine deserves a classier label.

FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA PINOT GRIGIO RAMATO – SUN GODDESS

$23.99 regularly $25.99

12.5% Alcohol

UPC: 00606179209994

mystery case Pinot Grigio

Old friends for dinner

Posted on July 10, 2021 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

It’s on sale again, and couldn’t resist picking up a couple of bottles of one of our all time favourite whites. Scallops were bought the morning before, and all the other ingredients were on hand: House spiced Couscous and orange grape salada.

Quick grill for the saffron/thyme spiced scallops had them ready at the same time as the couscous.

The only additional terroir ingredient desired would have been no winds out on the deck.

Setubal Jose Maria da Forseca Albis

$9.99 regularly $13.49

Albis mystery case

Words of Wisdom

Posted on July 8, 2021 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

Wisdom is knowing what to do next, skill is knowing how to do it, and virtue is doing it. – David Starr Jordan

The end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time. – T.S. Eliot, Little Gidding, 1942

I’m absolutely not looking for an executive assistant…I’m looking for an Orchestrator of Awesomeness.
Mandy Farmer (Accent Inns)

I don’t want to not live because of my fear of what could happen… ~Laird Hamilton

Anxiety is like terrorism one commits on oneself.
Polish Proverb

The universe is my country and the human family is my tribe.
Khalil Gibran

Conversation Survival

Posted on July 6, 2021 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

Here are two books that can change the course of your success rate in interacting with others. The quality of your life comes out of the quality of your dialogues and conversations. It also can help you make it safe to talk about almost anything.

These books are the real deals. Read. Underline and learn.

Crucial Confrontations – Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler ISBN 0-07-144652-4

Crucial Conversations – Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler ISBN 0-07-140194-6

Lucked Out

Posted on July 5, 2021 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

Remarkable value when at the sale price that is $10 off the regular price.  From the Wairau Valley, Marlborough wine region, Villa Maria Reserve 2019 Sauvignon Blanc is produced from sustainably-grown wine grapes.  From January 2019 onwards, Marlborough experienced a summer of the century, with a spell of long hot dry weather with moderately cool nights providing the perfect environment.


The later ripening due to elevation and cooler night temperatures of the Laugeson Vineyard in the upper Waihoipai Valley once again played a key part in the success story.


Crisp tropical fruit favours all the way through to the finish.  Keeping it cooler than usual for a white seems to enhance the taste.

SAUVIGNON BLANC – VILLA MARIA RESERVE WAIRAU VALLEY

$19.99 Regularly $29.99

13% alcoho

lUPC: 09414416001468

Marborough mystery case Sauvignon Blanc Wairau Valley
« Previous Page
Next Page »

Recent Posts

  • Playing Favourites
  • Of the Land
  • Pain Index
  • Road Id-gets
  • Paraprosdokian 

Recent Comments

  • Danielle Terrien on No cough and full acceptance
  • Andy on Half the age of the vines
  • Hwney Wong on Inner Painting
  • Frank Towler on Volcanos and clay
  • Frank Towler on Have you been mashed up today?

Archives

  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020

Categories

  • ALL
  • Art
  • Humour
  • Music
  • Neighbours
  • Photography
  • Terroir

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org
CyberChimps ©2025