how's my drinking?

Early December: hate to write this but lots of coffees!!  Main reason for this is to use free wi-fi available!  Apart from that, there have been plenty of vineyards and wineries, allowing us to indulge in quantity and quality wines!!

NOV 23rd……VINEYADS!! These have been in the abundance recently!!  Not only did we sample a few whilst spending a couple of days in Albany on the south coast of WA; but we also went to the famous Margaret River area for the next 2 days, trying more.  What made Jane happy is that there were several wineries making Chenin Blanc – one of her faves!!

What made Mike especially happy was that Margret River also had 3 Breweries which we just had to try!!  The Bootleg, Colonial and Cowaramup breweries were all great, esp for the IPA’s and Wheat beers.  And Colonial also had live music Sunday afternoon!!

Sauvignon Blanc has been a goody recently (esp in NZ) and there are plenty here in Australia.  Also, the really good Pinot Gris in NZ have given way to more Chardonnays – many unoaked –  and other Sav Blancs.

Beer is a bit better than in New Zealand but they do insist on this silly ‘Schooner’ millarchy!  I mean, what bloke wants 2/3 of a pint please barman?!!

September 8th . . . . . now in Australia, so looking forward to wines a-plenty with a low-bundance (new word we made-up and soon to be patented by us!!) of ale-like creations.  More info as the beer-flow.  (gonna Copyright that too!!)

AUGUST >> The wines in NZ were on the whole very good, esp a varietal good Pinot Gris.  Although its says Pinot, it is nothing like a Grigio, which is more common in England.  The GRIS is more aromatic and fruity without being too sweet.  Good wine.

Now, the beer!::  on the whole NZ beer is cold and fizzy, yet some are English-Ish and good to drink!!

JULY 05, 2010 | Had some pretty good local wines from an area called The Okanagan….prob Canadia’s best vineyard area – where we fully intend to visit this month!! – the Chardonnay and Pinot Grigios are on the dry side and are great when very chilled!    Beer still predominently fizzy, but the Wheat and White beers are proving tastey, esp when its Happy Hour!

CANADA, JUNE 20: Although the Canadians love their beer, there seems to be less of a choice, or maybe fewer micro-breweries.

The best of the more regularly appearing beers are Sleeman’s Honey Brown and Big Rock’s Grasshopper.  The wines available are all fairly standard but pricey.  There is a winery in the Okanagan Valley: that’ll be an ‘overnighter’ then!!

MAY 25th - a big thumbs-up in SF was the Thirsty Bear brewpub on Mission and 2nd Street:  bloody busy pub-style place with very good Med-type food and BEER!!  Nine brews inc two that were English-ish – did a sample tray off all 9 in 1/4pint glasses.

And its not all Me Me Me, as we went to Napa Valley and visited a few vineyards so Jane was more than a happy chappy-ette!!  Some damn good (pricey!!)  ’naked’ Chardonnays – ie No Oak!

MAY 13th – drinks are defo are good thing here!  Some good raspberry wheat beers, IPA’s, and some soon-to-be-discovered wines!!

April 26-May 2nd: definitley liking the various Amber beers over here: particular mention goes to Alaska Brewery and Shock-Top: both quite orangey – often served with a slice – and defo veritably quafable!!  Have avoided ordering anything “Bud”, altho Coors Light and Miller light are decent options when its hot and you just gotta “blow the top off a cold one”!!

April 6th: Tried Samuel Adams  ”Summer Ale” made by Boston Brewing Co…not bad, good effort.  Score 4/10.      Also, New Belgium Brewing’s “Fat Tire” – slightly strange amber ale, quite malty, blah blah!  Score 5/10