Meet Mad Magyar

Platinum Schplatinum

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:22:10 GMT

So what's the use of a Platinum frequent flyer card if, when you check in 4 hours ahead of the flight, you're told the 'plane's full and you're getting a squashy middle seat somewhere near the tail-gunner? This on a 10 hour flight is not good, KLM are not my favourite 3 initials tonight - I should have stuck with Air France, they gave me a free upgrade on my last trip out of Johannesburg!

However on the plus side I do get lounge access, so I'm intending to drink plenty of the free booze so that I won't mind being sandwiched between whoever.

Currently on a Pongracz Cap Classique Sparkler, an acceptable fruity number, and the Boschendal Blanc de Blanc (still Sauvignon/Chenin blend) was also nice.

Winter in Summer

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:25:48 GMT

June in the UK is summertime, maybe not the hottest month, but usually half-decent weather. So it is typical that I get to spend most of it in the Southern Hemisphere! First it was Sydney, this time I'm back in Johannesburg for a week (last day tomorrow, heading home again, you got to love those 10 hour flights!).

Nice week, had some wine, ate some food. A stunning Chenin Blanc (Rijk's Private Cellar) and a bottle of "The Chocolate Block" are coming home with me.

I ate some Sprinkbok last night, Carpaccio, washed down with Pinotage....I feel another ROT article coming on!!

I'm a Centurion!

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 16:48:00 GMT

An envelope was waiting for me when I got back home on Friday, my membership certificate for the Wine Century Club! I hit the magic 100th variety on my last trip to Turkey and sent off the application before heading off to Sydney.

That's one of the "Quests" started last year completed, and the 365 day challenge ends next month as well. Between those two tasks I set myself my knowledge of wine types and countries has expanded significantly.

Last week Turkey, Next week Australia

Sat, 31 May 2008 18:54:58 GMT

Landed back at Newcastle this morning after the crack of dawn flight out of Istanbul, got back tot he hotel last night just before 11 after a fantastic evening with Murat, at the PANO Şaraphanesi where we worked our way through most of the key Turkish varieties (the food was good too!). Unfortunately Fenerbahce lost the first of the 2 games in Ankara, so that's 2-1 for the series so far, Sunday is the next game.

I'm back for a few days recovery before flying off to Sydney next Thursday for a key system demonstration. More sleepness nights and jet-lag to follow, hopefully some wine to compensate!

Edit - Fenerbahce went on to win the series 4-1!

Halfway round the world for Grey weather

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:41:49 GMT

I'm just back home now, to a cloudy North East of England, some patchy rain and 14C - not much different to where I left Sydney yesterday.

Early morning fog over the Harbour Bridge - it burned off to turn into a sunny day!

Unfortunately my luggage didn't make it back with me, probably lost in the bowels of Dubai airport - the dangers of a short connection. Hopefully it'll arrive tomorrow, there's a couple of bottles of Aussie wine I want to put away!

Greybeard's Corner May 2008

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:54:32 GMT

So, just because I'm on the other side of the world, doesn't mean I should be lacking in my reporting duties!

A review of May's ROT entries is to be posted here once i have time, although it was a quiet month with only 2, non-travel related entries;

http://reignofterroir.com/2008/05/06/vins-de-celebrite-celebrity-wines/

http://reignofterroir.com/2008/05/23/a-hedonist-in-the-cellar-jay-mcinerney-2006/

Jet Lag in Sydney

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 01:26:20 GMT

OK, I've arrived. I've forgotten how tiring the long haul flights can be, that 14 hours stretch from Dubai to Sydney was bum-numbing!

Saturday morning touch-down, a quick shower in the hotel and off to Sydney Genetics for a system check with the Australian team, Stewart and Susan (Stew's actually from the UK and manages the Pac-Rim, Australia is just where he lives, what a hard life!). Done by 2pm so I had time for a stroll around the harbour..

The Bridge - we have one like that in Newcastle you know! The Opera house, cool building.

Circular Quay looking downtown.

A nice sunny day, which was unexpected as it rained all of last week and more is due (it's now Sunday morning and it is raining) - it is winter here after all! By 5pm I couldn't keep my eyes open and needed a "power-nap" - after which I felt a lot better and lasted until 11pm.

Finished off the day with a couple of glasses of a nice Grenache, Norman's 2004 Old Vine Grenache from Barossa - Spicy vanilla and black fruits with some floral hints. Very smooth tannins, fruity mid-palate and an oaky, long finish with a touch of sweetness. Nice mix of flavours, not too much acid, some bitterness but hides its 15% abv very well. 88-89pts.

Bad news of the day, I checked out some Hunter Valley tours for Sunday or Monday, but as it's a holiday weekend they were fully booked.

G'day, I'm off to Oz

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:10:51 GMT

Just finished packing for the trip today, ready for a week in Sydney. If all goes well then I'll have Sunday and possibly Monday free so I'll see if I can head up to the Hunter Valley, here's hoping!

Had a wonderful wine this week, Chateau Kefraya 2004 Les Breteches, from the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. My friend Brian got this for me in Manchester at a local wine shop, as I've not seen it in this area. It was delicious; Light and spicy on the nose, a medium bodied red, dark cherry in colour and with elegant legs. It sits delicately on the palate, light but perfectly balanced, mellow tannins at the front of the mouth and top of the tongue and a warming sensation at the back of the throat as it slips down. Flavours include cherry and chocolate with a medium finish. 89-90pts.

Newcastle Spring Wine Fair

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 21:36:50 GMT

Had a good night yesterday at the wine fair, went with Paul and Brian from work and made my way through 37 of the 42 wines on offer.

Best White was a tie between the Blind River 2007 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (Oddbins) and the Vesevo 2007 Greco di Tufo (Liberty Wines).
Best Red was Peter Lehmanns "The Mudflat" 2003 Shiraz/Muscadelle (Oddbins).

Oddbins and Liberty Wines were neck and neck for the best selection on the night, I think Oddbins just shaved it.

Hopefully some pictures to follow, and likely a Greybeard piece on Reign of Terroir as well.

However we didn't need to stay out after the fair, but we did anyway and a few pints later and I ended up on Paul's sofa. Luckily I have the rest of the week off for a full recovery (Paul was not as lucky, he had to go into work today and he was in a MUCH worse state than I was!).

An aged wine for an aged man!

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 19:41:52 GMT

Sunday evening and I'm a happy man. Last night I opened a bottle of 1967 Nebbiolo d'Alba (one of Sarah's presents to me last year) and lo and behold it was drinkable! Not only that, is was reasonably palatable and with a nose full of interesting stuff (Dark Muscovado Sugar and Porcini mushrooms included).

Sarah's presents to me this year were also excellent, including Indian and Uruguayan wine! I've had a great time with the parents, saw my brother and ate and drank heartily.

Back to reality now and a few days at work, but I'm off at the end of the week and Wednesday's the Newcastle wine fair.