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| Me, at Tarindah Estate on the Bellarine Peninsula this weekend |
by Emmie Dark
I am very, very fond of spending a Saturday or Sunday
driving around a wine region, sampling wines and gourmet foods and, towards the
end of the day, sleepily listening to lovely music as we head back into town.
Preferably with someone else driving.
And as my August SuperRomance “In His Eyes” reveals, I’m
reasonably familiar with weekends spent in just that way. I had to do a lot of “research”
to make sure my hero, Hugh, and my heroine, Zoe, faced realistic challenges as
they each worked on their respective wineries and fought over who made the best shiraz.
In fact, I’m lucky enough to have been to most of the wine
regions in Australia, some of them multiple times. It’s not that I’m problematically
fond of alcohol (I do love a nice glass of wine, but I also believe in “everything
in moderation”, as a lady should). There’s so much more to a wine region day
trip than just drinking wine.
1. The scenery.
Seriously, is there anything better than rows of vines stretching out into the
distance? I’m sure people who have studied art will be able to explain why
those lines are so appealing to the eye. Then there’s the rose bushes (there
are usually at least a few around for technical wine-growing reasons), and the
sloping hills, and the sunshine (hopefully).
In fact, even without sunshine, it can be a gorgeous sight.
This is my photo from Domain Chandon in the Yarra Valley just outside of
Melbourne on a recent, pretty miserable winter’s day (it’s winter down here in
Oz right now), and isn’t it still just gorgeous?
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| Looking across the Yarra Valley from Domain Chandon. |
2. The people.
People who grow wine are an amazing lot. They’re passionate about what they do
and, if you’re lucky enough to get the actual person who owns or is responsible
for the grapes and/or the wine making, you’ll see a light in their eye that
only comes when people talk about something they truly, truly love.
It certainly isn’t an easy passion to take up. I remember
visiting a winery in New Zealand that had suffered severe frosts the previous
night and the winemaker had lost his whole vintage. (It’s a typical hazard in
the area and the bigger wineries bring in helicopters to hover over the vines
and keep the air moving so the grapes don’t ice over. Seriously.) A whole year
of work, gone in one night. And even though, at that moment, he was devastated,
when we went to taste his wines, as soon as he was talking about them, that
light was back.
There’s nothing quite like being around people who absolutely
committed to their work and I love their energy – I think it’s contagious.
3. The food. Once
an area has a few wineries up and running it doesn’t seem to be long before the
gourmet produce and special cafes and restaurants follow. What better
accompaniment to a beautifully balanced chardonnay, or a rich and rewarding
shiraz, than a plate of cheese, or bowl of olives, or fresh pasta with
hand-crafted pesto? Am I making you hungry yet? If not, don’t forget dessert: the
lemon tart combined with a decadently sweet sticky dessert wine. Yum!
4. The wine.
Obviously. Being able to sample a range of well-crafted wine is a hedonist’s
true pleasure. And while you’re tasting, you get to talk more with the
passionate wine maker about their craft.
I know just enough to be dangerous.
Just enough to make a fool out of myself by asking questions about malolactic
fermentation that instantly reveal my ignorance to a true expert. But it’s
still a lot of fun. And when you do pick the right flavour (a hint of pepper?)
and see the vindication from the person pouring, it’s like a little private
victory. You think to yourself: Maybe I do know what I’m talking about after all.
Let me know your favourite wine experience. Have you been to
visit any wineries -- and if so, do you have a favourite? Do you prefer your wine served at home? Or is wine not your
thing at all?
One lucky commenter will receive a copy of my brand new
book, “In His Eyes”. This is the first preview copy I’m giving away, so it’s
quite the honor! :) I’ll choose someone at random and announce the winner early
next week.
44 comments:
i don't like wine :(
Oh...sigh! I so wanna be your partner in these little forays.
I love wine. I'm particularly fond of Cabernet especially if it's spicy and full-bodied. I like Pinot Noir fine, too. I usually stick with those when it comes ot red because I'm not as adventurous.
I am adventurous with whites - never pick the same white. At happy hour, I'll even choose a Rieisling to sip. Love it's sweetness - like dessert.
We are finally planning a trip to Napa/Sonoma. Were going this fall, but think we're going to put it off until next summer. Maybe one day I'll make it to Australia/New Zealand to try those wines. Some of my favorites are grown in your backyard :)
I feel like we're neighbors! We live in a wine region, also. One of the favorite pasttimes here is following the wine trail. You are spot on about the gourmet foods! Once the wineries started opening, great food followed:-) I'm a chardonnay person for white, pinot noir for red.
Cheers!
I love to visit wineries and had such fun researching my own winery-based books a few years ago *g* I enjoyed the research so much that I tried talking my husband into starting his own vineyard as I knew he would find the process fascinating. Unfortunately, he's not crazy about wine :-)
That said, lately I've been very much into beer and am hoping to have some microbrews while I'm out in Anaheim next week!
I don't like the taste of wine or the headaches it gives me. I went to Germany once, on vacation many years ago, & saw a lot of grapes growing there. Picked a few to eat but they were really sour. I do love grapes and have a great recipe for a salad that includes them.
I love it when the setting is so well developed it becomes a character in the book!
We are lucky enough to live in one of California's wine regions.
Just on Sunday after we dropped my oldest off at band camp my husband and I were trying to figure out what on earth to do as a kidless couple on Sunday afternoon, we finally settled on wine tasting somewhere other than the one or two places we'd always gone to.
We found a spot with a great view, friendly pouring staff and a really old, really sweet Golden Retriever. It was a lovely way to spend an adult afternoon.
Every time we drive by the signs for winery tours, I think we should do that. We did a winery tour with our children in the south of France. They were teenagers and very impressed they were allowed to taste. DD fell in love with wine coolers. I tend to stick with very dry Rhine white wines.
I don't like wine either, but I love books!
Wonderful post, Emmie! Thank you for sharing. I live in Italy & wine is a must have. Few years ago I started eating/drinking healthy & gave up wine, but I still can remember the flavor of Rocca Bernarda.It's a typical wine from my region (Friuli-Venezia Giulia).
When the last RWA conference was in San Francisco I took a couple of days in the Napa valley with my sister and best friend. We did a guided cycle tour of the wineries which I'd highly recommend, if you get the chance.
I'm ashamed to say there is a winery just down the road from me, and I haven't been to visit! You've inspired me. Next time I see their open sign, I'll find the time to stop.
Ooohhhhh - so jealous - what a wonderful idea for an afternoon drive. The Yarra valley is stunning and there are so many vineyards to stop at - sample wine and dine at - how lush!!!!
Congrats on the release of "In his Eyes", I love the beginning of it and can't wait to read the end :)
Eli - that's okay! I know wine is not everyone's cup of tea -- so to speak!! ;)
Liz, we're going to have to find a way to join up for a wine adventure one of these days! Hope you have an amazing time in Napa/Sonoma. I've been there but only briefly and I felt there was so much more to explore. But it's very pretty!
Pamela -- I'm going to have to go with you on the neighbors thing and add "twins" as well -- my favourite white is chardonnay and my favourite red is pinot noir. Snap! Cheers to you too!
Beth -- I'm not such a huge beer fan, but I do like sampling microbrews and finding out more about the whole process -- if can be just as involved as winemaking! Bad luck on converting your husband there, but good luck on the brewing front!
Hi Jo's Daughter -- I think the grapes that are grown for wine are quite different to the grapes that are grown for eating. Grapes are great in salads and things, I agree. And if wine is not your thing, it's just not your thing -- especially if it gives you headaches. Generally I only get headaches from wine if I have just a little much of it... ;)
Thanks Rogenna! Yes, I really feel like my vineyards -- Lawson Estate and Waterford -- are two additional characters that interact with Hugh and Zoe throughout the story!
Kristina that sounds like my idea of heaven. It's great to take the opportunity to try new places as well. I try to get out and do that when I can, but I do find myself heading back to the old faithful places, especially when I need to replenish the wine rack!
Linda S, if you have a taste for wines then I'm sure you'd enjoy doing a tour one day. How lucky you got to do one in France -- that's one wine region that's missing from my list of achievements right now...
Well Tammy as long as you like books you're in the right place! ;)
Hi Natalija -- yes, wine is a must-have in Italy! It must be hard for you to avoid it sometimes, I'd guess. I haven't spent a lot of time in Italy, but I loved travelling in Spain where the attitude is much the same -- and wine is almost cheaper than water!
Karina, I'd love to spend more time in the Napa. A friend of mine did a cycling tour much like the one you describe in France. That's my dream holiday. One day...
Kate -- I hope they have lovely wines!
Joanne, I agree, it's hard to go past the Yarra Valley for winery fun. I do like heading down the Mornington Peninsula too though, especially when I'm in the mood for some pinot noir... ;)
I've never had wine.
Our best wine tasting experience was in the Yakima Valley in the state of Washington. The owner arrived in gumboots and took the group of 7 people around his small winery. He was in the process of crushing grapes at the time so we got to see that. He opened up a line and gave us all a taste of the pure grape juice.
Then while driving by another field we stopped to watch a machine with huge narrow tires harvesting grapes. The driver leaned over the fence and asked my husband if he wanted to give it a try. To this day my husband regrets turning the opportunity down.
I like a lot of varieties of wine. I think my favorite has to be a Gewürztraminer.
Oohhhh, there are so many gaps in my wine education, I need to really apply myself.
My favourite wine is a cheeky Victorian botrytis that goes beautifully with light desserts.
Another lifetime ago, when my mum and step-dad ran a restaurant, there was a lovely little winery up the road that made an incredible 'methode champagneois'. We knew right off the bat they'd go gangbusters. You might have heard of them . . . Yellowglen. :-D
Your blog took me back to a lovely birthday treat in the Yarra Valley. Many years ago a friend took me to Domaine Chandon for luch. We shared an antipasto platter and drank a sparkling red. Delicious! Later we had desert at the also beautiful Banrock Station. My Birthday is in March so the trees were turning Autumnal colors as were the vines. Can't wait to read "In His Eyes" Sounds like a lovely weekend read.
Fatimah - when we finally get a chance to get together (say, for example, in Rome) you'll have to take a sip and see if you like it. ;)
What a fantastic experience, Kaelee! And if I was your husband, I'd regret saying no too, but I'm not sure I'd be brave enough to say yes, either! I love a good Gewürztraminer -- especially with some spicy Thai or Malaysian food.
Ebony -- you were neighbors with Yellowglen? Wow. Must say I turn my nose up at "Yellow" these days, but their vintage stuff is very nice.
Dora, your birthday adventure sounds fabulous! Wine regions are so pretty in autumn with the vines changing color...
Well, I'm not a wine drinker, but I'd love to tour some of the wineries just for the scenery! Going to have to pre-order your book for my ereader :)
It's been a long time since I did a winery tour. I do remember enjoying it though. We went as part of a bus tour. No problems with drinking & driving then.
I so wish I was a wine connosieur. I live in Central America, so I am more of a coffee lover. :) Wineries vs. Coffee plantations.... both are gorgeous!
I do love a glass of wine. I have not the opportunity to visit a winery. That is on my bucket list of things to do.
Thanks Snookie -- I hope you enjoy reading it!
Hi Marybelle -- while I'm glad for drink-driving laws that make the road safer, they do make wine touring inconvenient when someone has to drive! I have a couple of good friends I often go winery-touring with, and we have a roster so we take it in turns being the driver!
Hi Melinda -- I remember doing a coffee tasting when I was in Guatemala! It seems to me there is just as much information and subtlety around coffee tasting as their is wine tasting! I'm not a huge coffee drinker though, so I wasn't particularly good at it.
Kai, it is definitely a good bucket list item! I hope you get to it soon!
Enjoyed reading the comments. I visit the wine country of California in the Napa Valley and find it an interesting experience. I am a painter and I like to paint vineyards because of the variety of colors there.
JWIsley(at)aol(dot)com
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