What I'm drinking

A friend asked me the other day how many days a week I drink. I felt like a bit of alcoholic when I replied that I do try for one sober day, normally two. I earn my living as a bar manager and I do love alcohol! I don't tend to binge drink (well only very occasionally). I drink because I love it, am interested in it, and yes I do tend to have at least one drink a day (or just a little taste of the latest concoction, for work, of course).

Although I've learnt a heap about different spirits and cocktails this year, and really do enjoy a craft beer or a gin, my first and true love is wine. I love it. I'm not limited to a particular variety - red or white. I'm always game to try something different and the more I learn/taste, the more I realise how little I know!

So since I'm drinking them, I've decided to start blogging here about them.

My goals for 2014 are predominantly to save money, but also to be the best bartender/bar manager I can be, so I'll be tasting a few. As a side note I tasted well over 200 wines when writing our last wine list for the bar, so there's definitely the opportunity to find some gems! Hopefully you'll find some inspiration here :-)

Blog posts on wine

• Top rieslings of 2013
• Rose

Wines tasted this 2014; the list...

1. Main Divide Pinot Gris (Waipara)
2. Matawhero Chenin Blanc (Gisborne)
3. Jules Taylor Gruner Veltliner (Marlborough)
4. Brookfields Bergman Chardonnay (Hawke's Bay)
5. Coopers Creek Albarino (Gisborne)
6. Clos Henri Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough)
7. Te Kairanga Pinot Noir (Martinborough)
8. Mills Reef Pinot Gris (Hawke's Bay) 2013
9. Mills Reef Chardonnay (Hawke's Bay) 2013
10. Mills Reef Reserve Pinot Gris (Hawke's Bay) 2013
11. Mills Reef Reserve Merlot Malbec (Hawke's Bay) 2012
12. Mills Reef Elspeth Merlot (Gimlett Gravels) 2009
13. Mills Reef Elspeth Cab Sav (Gimlett Gravels) 2010
14. Chocolate Box Shiraz (Barossa) 2012
15. Jim Barry Cab Sav (Clare Valley) 2011
16. 36 Bottles Pinot Noir (Bendigo) 2011
17. Charles Wiffen Chardonnay (Marlborough) 2012
18. Lamont Riesling (Bendigo) 2010
19. Spade Oak Vigneron Chardonnay (Gisborne) 2012
20. Spade Oak Heart of Gold Albarino (Gisborne) 2013
21. Spade Oak Heart of Gold St Laurent (Gisborne) 2012
22. The Writer's Block Late Harvest Gewurtztraminer (Central Otago) 2013
23. Te Mata Estate Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc  (Hawke's Bay) 2013
24. Te Mata Estate Vineyards Chardonnay  (Hawke's Bay) 2013
25. Te Mata Estate Vineyards Gamay Noir (Hawke's Bay) 2013 
26. Te Mata Estae Vineyards Gamay Noir (Hawke's Bay) 2012 
27. Te Mata Estate Vineyards Syrah (Hawke's Bay) 2013 
28. Te Mata Estate Vineyards Merlot Cabernet  (Hawke's Bay) 2013
29. Te Mata Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc (Hawke's Bay) 2009
30. Te Mata Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc (Hawke's Bay) 2012
31. Te Mata Elston Chardonnay(Hawke's Bay) 2012
32. Te Mata Elston Chardonnay (Hawke's Bay) 2009
33. Te Mata Awatea Cab Merlot (Hawke's Bay) 2012
34. Te Mata Awatea Cab Merlot (Hawke's Bay) 2009
35. Te Mata Estate Zara Viognier (Hawke's Bay) 2013
36. Blackenbrook Sauvignon Blanc (Nelson) 2013
37. Blackenbrook Pinot Gris (Nelson) 2013
38. Blackenbrook Gewurtztraminer (Nelson) 2013
39. Blackenbrook Chardonnay (Nelson) 2012 - half american oak
40. Blackenbrook Pinot Noir (Nelson) 2010
41. Villa Jolanda Prosecco NV Italy)
42. Mas Candi Cava (Spain)
43. Manzanilla La Goya Sherry (Spain)
44. Suava Garganega, Anselmi (Italy)
45. Anselmi single variety (Italy) 2011
46. Santa Rosa Torrontes (Mendoza, Argentina) 
47. Ernie Els Chenin Blanc (South Africa) 2013
48. Raats Original Chenin Blanc (South Africa) 2013
49. Secateurs Chenin Blanc (South Africa) 2013
50. Desig Blanc (from Cellar Masland)
51. Santa Rosa Rose (Mendoza, Argentina) 
52. Secateurs Rose (South Africa) 
53. Carlos Verres Grianza (Spain) 2008
54. Ermita de San Lorenzo Gran Reserva Ganarcha/Cabernet blend (2004)
55. Carlos Verres Reserva red blend (Spain) 2007 - predominantly tempranillo
56. Valpolicella Trabucchi d'Illasi (near Verona, Italy)
57. Millaman Reserva Carmenere (Chile)
58. Millaman Zinfandel (Chile)
59. Marietta Zinfandel (California)
60. Montesde Sannio Aglcanico (Italy)
61. Riseccoli Chinati Classico
62. Rinaseita Riseccoli Chianti
63. Villa Jolanda barolo (dry red wine)
64. Trabucchi d'Illasi 2008
65. Raats Dolomite Cab Fran (South Africa) 2012
66. Laurens River Valley Morgenster (South Africa) 2005
67. Meerlust Red (South Africa) 2011- blend of Petit Verdot/Merlot/Cab Sav/Cab Franc
68. Ernie Els Merlot (South Africa) 2011
69. Kanonkop Estate Wine Pinotage (South Africa) 2011
70. The Wolf Trap Syrah/Moulvedre/Viognier (South Africa) 2013
71. Secateurs Red Blend - Shiraz/Cinsault (South Africa) 
72. Ernie Els Big Easy 2011
73. Newton Johnson Full Stop Rock Syrah/Grenache/Moulvedre (South Africa) 2008
74. Ernie Els Proprieter's Syrah (South Africa) 2011
75. Marietta Cab Sav 2010
76. Barda Pinot Noir (Patagonia, Argentina) 
77. Llama Malbec (Mendoza) 2012
78. A Lisa Bodega Noemia Malbec (Patagonia)
79. Pedro Ximenez Monteaduda (Spain)
80. Flying Sheep Gewurtztraminer (Hawke's Bay) 
81. Te Whare Ra 'M Series' Riesling (Marlborough)
82. The Ned Pinot Gris (Central Otago)
83. Johner Wairarapa Pinot Noir (Wairarapa) 2012
84. Julicher Sauvignon Blanc (Martinborough) 2012
85. Mahana Pinot Noir (Nelson) 2011
86. Mahana Oaked Sauvignon Blanc (Nelson) 2011
87. Bogle Vineyards Petite Syrah (California) 2011
88. Francis Ford Coppola Sofia Mini (California) NV
89. Craggy Range Sauvignon Blanc Avery Vineyard (Marlborough) 2013
90. Crazy by Nature Dry Flint Chenin Blanc (Gisborne) 2012
91. Rockface Sauvignon Blanc (Waipara) 2013
92. Charles Wiffen Pinot Gris (Marlborough) 2011
93. Dessert Heart Chardonnay (Bannockburn) 2012
94. Starborough Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough) 2013
95. Terrace Edge Liquid Geography Riesling (Marlborough) 2012
96. Terrace Edge Syrah (Marlborough) 2012
97. Man O War Chardonnay (Waiheke Island)
98. The Doctors Riesling
99. Villa Maria Arneis
100. Rooks Lane Shiraz 2012
101. Nevis Bluff Late Harvest Pinot Gris (Central Otago)