WSET Level 3 Award in Wines
Learning about wine involves international travel in your glass. Here is our tasting today for the WSET Level 3. San Gregorio Fiano di Avellino DOCG from Campania, Italy, Argyros Atlantis Assyrtiko from Santorini Island, Greece, Masi Valpolicella Classico DOC, Emiliana Adobe Carmenere, organic wine from Colchagua Valley, Chile, Fontodi Chianti Classico DOCG, Marques de Riscal Reserva, Voyager Estate, The Modern Cabernet Sauvignon from Margaret River, Western Australia.
Our Sunday WSET Level 3 tasting started with Massolino Moscato d'Asti; Jansz Premier Cuvée from Tasmania, Piper Heidsieck NV followed by Fortified wines Tio Pepe Palamino Fino, the outstanding Del Duque Amontillado VORS 30 years also from Gonzales Byass; Cazes Rivesaltes AOC Ambré 2004; Warres Otima Tawny Port 20 years; Campbells Rutherglen Muscat and Williams & Humbert Pedro Ximenez 12 years old sweet sherry.
We then wrote formal tasting notes for the following wines in preparation of the WSET Level 3 exam on Sunday 12 December.
Franz Hirtzberger Gruner Veltliner Federspiel 2016;
Alba de Vetus Albarino, Rias Biaxas 2019;
Mullineux Swartland Syrah 2014 and
Prats & Symington Post Scriptum, Touriga Nacional blend 2018, Douro, Portugal
Fascinating and captivating wines for sure!
What is happening to our services?
Hi Neighbours
I'm concerned as to the level of services in our city, while our rates keep going up!
A short while ago we had 3 bins damaged in 1 rubbish-day pick-up. It took close to 6 weeks to resolve and I had to repeatedly follow-up progress as the case was closed 2x without any action - one of those instances stated they "couldn't find the bins" but they had never moved from the kerb side they are collected from since they got damaged.
Similarly I reported a small water leak on 1-Aug to Watercare just outside our property, on council land. I heard nothing back and the stream of water running grew and grew. I followed it up last week, only to be told it had been thoroughly investigated and it was not a Watercare issue. If I wanted to resolve it, I could pay a plumber. Yesterday I saw the water reader and said to him the running water is a problem - he agreed. I re-reported it and today it is being fixed - by Watercare - as it is gushing. They repairers assured me it is for sure a Watercare issue.
What can we do about this? We don't pay faulty money - but we get faulty service. It's not good enough.
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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82.1% Yes
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15.2% No
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2.7% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.