New Zealand Sommelier of the year - 2021

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

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5 hours ago

Kauri Glen Reserve treetop bridge and boardwalk now open!

John Gillon from John Gillon - Kaipatiki Local Board

NEWSFLASH: The wait is over and the Kauri Glen Reserve treetop bridge and boardwalk is NOW OPEN to the public! Check it out!

And please join us for our official opening/celebration in a couple of weeks!
➡️ When: 12pm Sunday 28 April
➡️ Where: Kauri Glen Road entrance to Kauri Glen Reserve
➡️ Facebook event: www.facebook.com...
Free BBQ! Walk the new track!

This is a new step-free route between Kauri Glen Road and Tui Glen Road, with a refurbished track (including steps) to Raymond Terrace. The new bridge is around 6 storeys high with a very impressive view of the forest tree tops.
The new tracks, bridge and boardwalk have been built to a standard to help prevent the spread of kauri dieback disease, which is especially important in this park.
*** Please always clean your shoes, bikes, prams and wheelchairs at the stations. ***

Note: We made the decision to allow public access earlier than expected to prevent further damage to the forest by those who were throwing the fences into the trees 🙁

- Funded by the Kaipātiki Local Board and Natural Environment Targeted Rate.