Wine,cheese and chocolate….

I am writing this with Annelise snoring contentedly next to me. It is 530 pm…..

The drive to Blenheim (Marlborough Region) was through lovely mountain scenery - shame it was dark and we didn't see much of it. Arrived at the Blue Ridge Estate at 1030, followed a long gravel track into the vineyard, stopped the engine outside the house. Looked up to see the clearest milky way. We were greeted by Brian, Bella the dog and a cat who was made to feel unwelcome so didn't hang around for introductions. Blenheim used to be one of NZ's finest apple and peach growing regions, however the apple trees are being torn up and replaced with vines (faster and better yield). The Marlborough wine region is situated in a wide flat valley and is particularly well suited for the Sauvignon Blanc grape (warm dry summer, cool evenings, cold winter), and also pretty good for Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.(climatic preference as above). What a coincidence that we should end up here.

Next morning, pulled back the curtains to a foreground of immaculately tended vines and sun rising on parched mountains in the distance. Annelise had found us another gem! Coffee, bacon sandwich and local fruit to line our tummies for the day, we set out on a wine tasting route suggested by Brian. Guess who was driving. First up was Montana, for a tour to see a wine making plant. Tour was delayed so we moved on to Grove Mill, a smaller boutique estate which supplies its Sanctuary Pinot Noir to Sainsburys. Very helpful lady explained which grapes grew well and how to use the aromas to detect the age of the grapes, and the climate the grapes were grown in. Favourites from Grove Mill were the Chardonnay, Riesling and the Pinot Gris.

Marlborough is the sunniest place in New Zealand, and no nasty surprises with the weather here…..Motored back along the 6 on to Lunch at Wairua River: disappointingly no river view. Quick cheese soufflé and smoked salmon (with dill of course) and meal sized sample of their Pinot Gris and Sauv B. We moved on to the iconic Cloudy Bay. Now this label is highly sought after in the UK, but the plant here was a bit snooty and too busy to be able to offer any experience other than a pouring a glass. Still, we sampled through another 4 here, with our favourite being the Te Koko Sauvignon B. Te Koko being Maori for Cloudy Bay, of course.

Next on the agenda was Forrest Estate, a short drive along more immaculate rows of vines. We opted for a $15 cheese platter and then soldiered through the 7 glass tasting package, taking in various Rieslings, a Pinot Noir and a rogue Rose. The 2001 Valleys Riesling Dry was A-lo's favourite, but personally I preferred the sweeter 2007 (nice nose of orange peel, mango and apricot). This was a good venue: got given the vino on a numbered tray and were left in peace in the wine garden to enjoy, without feeling that we were scrounging free drinks. The Forrest Brancott Pinot Noir was also good for a lighter Marlborough PN (cherry and raspberry nose, smoky aroma, balanced tannins). Played a game where Annelise had to identify the fruit in the aroma. She has a long way to go before she can call herself a sommelier. There was a resident sculptor, whose abstract-ethnic white stone work was displayed in the grounds. Figured stone would cost a fortune to ship home so didn't make inquiries.

4pm and time for a couple more: Saint Clair's demijohn was where our hosts' grapes ended up, so we felt duty bound to sample the finished product. By this stage I was getting a bit cocky and able to pose teasers such as whether the Chardonnay was aged in American or French oak. Bought a bottle of their lower mid-range Riesling, where apparently out host's grapes would have ended up. Card went though then found out they sell it in Majestic so its probably a bit low end…..

Time to fit in one more: The Wine Rooms, where an enthusiastic young lady fixed me up a cappuccino and did some blind tasting with Annelise. This was a good end to the tour and we had a real laugh with someone who took enough interest in her work to knock them back with the punters. Bought a PN and a Chardonnay.

For my benefit, we stopped at the boutique chocolate factory on the way back to Blue Ridge. The day was a huge success: we drove round a beautiful setting learned a lot about growing grapes and vines, sampled some excellent local plonk and A-lo decided that she could drink Chardonnay and Riesling after all.

Back at Blue Ridge we de-briefed Brian, asked a few burning questions about viticulture and one of us had a snooze.

Went for dinner at Gibbs, next to Cloudy Bay. Top meal of Veal and monkfish. Annelise completed her 32nd tasting of the day, whilst I opted for a Moa from the eco micro brewery next door.