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997 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
5 days ago

Poll: Does the building consent process need to change?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

We definitely need homes that are fit to live in but there are often frustrations when it comes to getting consent to modify your own home.
Do you think changes need made to the current process for building consent? Share your thoughts below.

Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.

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Does the building consent process need to change?
  • 91.3% Yes
    91.3% Complete
  • 8.2% No
    8.2% Complete
  • 0.5% Other - I'll share below!
    0.5% Complete
1406 votes
5 hours ago

Dig the rhythms, East FM, Saturday from midday...

Phil from Farm Cove

Taylor Griffin is an original Groove Guy and known in the east (as well as other places) and with it being an exciting time for him, with the release of his debut EP, In Green, he’s the featured artist on tomorrow’s She’ll Be Right on Saturdays Show with PJ Taylor, midday to 4pm (NZ time, April 27) on East FM.

In Green eloquently and dynamically represents jazz in the now, and future, beautifully and thoughtfully expressed by musicians of the highest order. They’re mates, too.

Taylor Griffin, as his press department writes, ‘is a new and emerging artist, drummer and producer from Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland’.

In Green reached No. 9 in the NZ Album Charts, and got to No. 5 in the Top 10 Albums in Independent Music NZ. It’s co-produced and mixed by master musician Nathan Haines.
‘In Green EP represents a large body of work that began its life during Taylor’s time at Auckland University, where he studied jazz under internationally renowned musicians including Ron Samsom, Chris O’Connor, Roger Manins, Oli Holland, and Kevin Field.’

The EP was written and produced after the third lockdown. ‘And represents a shift in the way forward, in light of modern and global changes. In Green EP explores modern jazz through the lexicon of heavy grooves and Latin flavours with tasteful and lush sounds masterfully mixed in.’

Taylor recently returned from London where he’s begun recording new music for a later release (full-length album), ‘with the legendary Kiwi expat Dave Holmes at Lightship 95. In doing so he’s collaborated with London based artists such as Arjuna Oakes, Rudi Creswick (bass player for Tom Misch), Pluum, Dylan Jones and Ben Vize.’

In Green EP credits:
Written and produced by Taylor Griffin. Co-produced and mixed by Nathan Haines at Zoot Music. Taylor Griffin, drums, percussion, vocals. Nathan Haines, flute, soprano saxophone. Rachel Clarke, vocals. Saia Folau, vocals. Leo McMenamin, keyboards. Michal Martyniuk, Rhodes, synths. Guy Harrison, trumpet, synths. Charlie Isdale, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute. Geoff Ong, guitar, bass. Robert Picot, guitar. Joseph Corban-Banks, session engineer at The Groove Suite studio. Neil Baldock, drum mixing engineer at Zoot Music. Distributed through Bigpop Records. Mastered by Clinton McCreery at Bambu Music, London.

taylorsgrooves.bandcamp.com...

East FM is East Auckland’s fair-dinkum community-powered public service radio station, on 88.1FM and 107.1FM on local frequencies, nationally and globally at www.eastfm.nz... and on app iHeart Radio.

She’ll Be Right - it’s all about the vibe; it’s all about the groove. Providing a platform for NZ music and performing artists to exhibit their talents since ages ago. Ka pai. – PJ

1 day ago

Lest we forget...

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

On this ANZAC Day, let's take a moment to remember and honor the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our country.

Tell us who are you honouring today. Whether it's a story from the battlefield or a memory of a family member who fought in the war, we'd love you to share your stories below.

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