Tracy's Shopping Drives Vic to Drinking

Thursday November 17, 2011

Tracy started her one woman assault on beefing up the NZ economy today. Before leaving Wanaka she bought some trinkets to warm up. After finally leaving this windy town & saying good bye to the white caps on Lake Wanaka we headed for Queenstown on State Highway 6 via Cromwell & the Central Otago wine area. We first stopped at Aurum Vineyards & tried a dry Riesling, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, 3 Pinot noirs, 2 of which were named after Lucie the winemaker's daughters & 2 stickys (dessert wines). We next stopped at Quartz Reef to taste their bubbles. We met Rudi Bauer the winemaker that has been nominated as one of the six winemakers of the year. We tried his NV sparkler, a Pinot Gris & a Pinot Noir. We bought their just released & sold out '07 Vintage sparkler & Tracy said she couldn't leave w/o a Rose bubbles.

As all this wine tasting was making us hungry we headed for Mt. Difficulty Restaurant & Tasting Room. We ordered Stewart Island pan fried Trumpeter fish w/Jersey Benne potatoes, white asparagus & a fried duck egg and a Roast Rack of spring lamb w/ feta, anchovies, balsamic vinegar & veggies. While waiting for our lunch to be prepared we sidled up to the tasting bar to determine our wine pairings. We tried the Mt. Difficulty dry Riesling, pinot Gris, Sauv. blanc & the '10 Roaring Meg Pinot Gris that just won first place at the NZ International wine competition. In order to make an informed choice we also tried the '09 Mt. Difficulty Pinot Noir & Roaring Meg PN. We picked the Riesling & Mt. Difficulty PN for lunch. We then scooted down the road to Bald Hills Vineyard & tried their '09 Riesling Last Light, Pinot Gris, a Rose called Friends & Lovers, 3 Acres Pinot Noir & their single vineyard Pinot Noir. The rose & an '08 Single Vineyard Pinot Noir followed us to the car.

A short stop in Arrowtown turned into an hour when Tracy went on her buying offensive again. A merino wool & possum sweater & scarf fell to the buying onslaught. It was time to get to Queenstown & 45 minutes later we found our hotel. Off to dinner we went. We had a quick Thai meal & the buying urge struck Tracy again. A jewelry store beckoned with its large assortment of NZ blue pearls. The blue pearls come from abalone that have been farmed for the pearls. Vic finally gave up & began the nightly draft for the blog while Tracy tried on a half dozen necklaces, earrings & rings. Finally we made it back to the room for a much deserved rest. Tomorrow is Swing Day & Jet Boating.