Back
1146 days ago

New Zealand Sommelier of the year - 2021

New Zealand School of Food & Wine

Congratulations to Andrea Martinisi as he is awarded New Zealand Sommelier of the Year 2021.

Andrea Martinisi is presented with the New Zealand Sommelier of the Year 2021 trophy by Marek Przyborek (NZ Sommelier of the Year 2018) and chair of the Examination Committee with Celia Hay, chair of New Zealand Sommeliers and Wine Professionals Association. Andrea is General Manager and Head Sommelier of The Grove Restaurant, Auckland. Marek is head sommelier at Amisfield, Central Otago.

The day started with the Theory Assessment (60 minutest) and Blind Tasting of 2 wines. The white wine was Saint Clair Pioneer Block Gewurztraminer 2020 from Marlborough and from Spain, Muga Seleccion Especial Rioja 2016. The Practical included a restaurant scenario to decant a bottle of Te Mata Awatea 2018 and provide a food pairing. This was made a little tricky as we also had a bottle Te Mata Awatea 2019 on the sideboard... to check if the candidates were reading the label!

The Practical also featured a spirit tasting where candidates were asked to identify 4 spirits. This year the spirits were Bacardi, Tequila Blanco, Jack Daniels, Calvados.

More messages from your neighbours
18 minutes ago

Ryman awarded for top customer satisfaction

William Sanders Retirement Village

Ryman Healthcare has won the Canstar Blue 2024 award for Most Satisfied Customers in Retirement Villages in what is a first for the company. 

The award recognises retirement living communities with the highest customer satisfaction. Ryman topped the rankings, achieving a perfect five-star rating across all categories: Overall Satisfaction, Accommodation, Atmosphere, Facilities, Location, and Value for Money.

Click read more for the full story.

Image
7 days ago

Poll: Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Drivers get where they need to go, but sometimes it seems that we are all abiding by different road rules (for example, the varying ways drivers indicate around a roundabout).
Do you think drivers should be required to take a quick driving theory test every 10 years?

Vote in the poll and share any road rules that you've seen bent! 😱

Image
Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?
  • 48.1% Yes
    48.1% Complete
  • 50% No
    50% Complete
  • 1.9% Other - I'll share below
    1.9% Complete
3471 votes
6 days ago

Here's Tuesday's teaser!

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

I’m found in socks, scarves, and mittens; and often in the paws of playful kittens. What am I?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

Image