Passengers aboard two Glacier Explorers boats at Aoraki Mount Cook last weekend were treated to a real show-stopper when the largest iceberg in the Tasman Glacier terminal lake rolled over and split in two right before their eyes. …
A Rockin New Zealand Glacier
May 24, 2010New Zealand Atkins Ranch Rack of Lamb
May 12, 2010Atkins Ranch Rack of Lamb
2 Atkins Ranch Racks Of Lamb, frenched if you like
2 T fresh chopped marjoram, basil, mint or parsley
2 tsp melted butter 4T bread crumbs– whole meal
2 tsp Dijon mustard Grated rind of 2 lemons
1. Toss melted butter through the breadcrumbs, add fresh herbs and lemon rind.
2. Coat the back (meaty) side of the rack with mustard. Firmly press on the herbed breadcrumbs.
3. Preheated oven to 4000 F, cook the racks for 20 minutes for rare lamb, 25 minutes for medium.
4. Remove lamb from the oven and let stand, covered, 5 minutes before serving.
Serve with: Small whole potatoes, with a side dish of tomatoes, zucchini, onion and peppers sautéed together till tender. Sprinkle with fresh herbs.
To Barbecue: Cook over a medium heat for 10 minutes each side. Cook the herbed side last.
A wide choice of New Zealand wine will complement this dish. Look for Pinot noir from Central Otago, Waipara or maybe Martinborough. Or Bordeaux blends from Hawkes Bay or Waiheke Island.
New Zealand Cervena Cooking Demonstration
May 6, 2010Delicious venison from New Zealand is called Cervena.
Some of the most celebrated chefs and culinary innovators from around the globe will show off their skills at the world’s largest restaurant industry trade show this spring.
This year’s NRA Show® will feature the brand-new World Culinary Showcase, where attendees experience high-energy, interactive cooking demonstrations and find the information and inspiration to create fun, flavorful and nutritious menu ideas.
NRA Show 2010 will be held May 22-25 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
Vodpod videos no longer available.
New Zealand Wine and Golf
May 5, 2010
Lookout Point founder David Hiatt discusses the attraction of New Zealand as an international golf destination. Courses such as Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers hold obvious appeal but sometimes it is the quiet country courses off the beaten path that provide as much appeal to travellers.
Like all destination golf resorts, New Zealand has a range of stunning local wines and foods.
Finding New Zealand Wine From Importer Station Imports
May 3, 2010
Sometimes the trick to finding new and delicious New Zealand wines is as simple as reading the back label and getting to know who the importer is. Station Imports is one example of a small and specialized wine importer who only imports wines from one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Station Imports is very focused and exclusively works with wineries in Central Otago. This is a unique collection of wines including Rippon, Kawarau Estate, Sleeping Dogs, Freefall, Nevis Bluff and Mount Michael.
These wines are special, they are not in every grocery or wine store or on every wine list. You will have to go exploring to find them and that is all part of the joy.
Unplugged Wine Interview With @Garyvee and @TheWineVault
April 12, 2010I saw this the other day and enjoyed seeing a mellowed out Gary Vaynerchuk. Maybe the Southern Hemisphere suits Gary.
It was refreshing to listen to Gary and Jayson talk about wine with no pretense – just sharing what they feel is important to them.
This video reminded me of the summer of 1993 I moved back to the USA from New Zealand and Eric Clapton’s unplugged album was released. Great music in a very laid back feel to it. Something we all need from time to time.
Thanks to Gary and Jayson for sharing their thoughts.
Vodpod videos no longer available.
Dream New Zealand Travel Job
April 12, 2010Entirely Kiwi is an online New Zealand travel agency who recently held a contest to find a spokesperson to travel then length of New Zealand to promote the country and New Zealand tourism for three months.
The promotion known as the Entirely World Famous New Zealand Tour had over 300 applicants and was narrowly won by Nicquel Rhoden from Australia. The website shows her full itinerary, some information about each location and is updated with her blogs and videos about her adventures.
The video is a good reminder “It’s all in a days work”
New Zealand Wine Tours With Phil Parker
April 8, 2010
Phil Parker runs food and wine tours around Auckland New Zealand.
Phil’s Auckland Fine Wine Tours celebrates ten years in operation this year.
Inspired by a cramped and tedious 40-seater bus tour of Melbourne’s Yarra Valley back in 1997, he had the idea of setting up a wine tour of Auckland’s regional wine country, particularly Kumeu and Matakana.
New Zealand Chardonnay – The Missing Story
April 6, 2010
Everyone knows the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc story. Some know the New Zealand Pinot Noir story. A few know the New Zealand Aromatics story.
Most are missing the New Zealand Chardonnay story.
Kumeu River Wines established in 1944 when Mick and Katé Brajkovich and their son Maté first came to the small country settlement of Kumeu, about 20 km northwest of Auckland City.
Still very much a family wine company as son Michael is making a stunning range of wines – including Chardonnay. Brothers Milan and Paul are actively involved in the vineyards and marketing. Sister Marijana is also part of the family business on the finance side. All under the direction of Managing Director Melba Brajkovich.
After studying Oenology at Roseworthy College in 
South Australia where he was Dux in 1981, Michael Brajkovich returned to the family vineyard and winery in Kumeu to take up responsibility for wine production.
Since then he has travelled extensively through the world’s wine areas and had the opportunity to spend the 1983 vintage in France with the reputed house of Jean Pierre Moueix in Libourne, near Bordeaux. Michael was New Zealand’s first Master of Wine which he achieved in 1989.
It is the Chardonnay that has enjoyed the greatest critical acclaim and success in international markets, particularly in the United States. The “Wine Spectator” magazine has placed Kumeu River Chardonnay in its annual list of the top 100 wines on five occasions. In 1996, the Kumeu River Chardonnay 1994 was ranked at Number 6.
Today, the 2010 Chardonnay is quietly fermenting away. Here is a quick video update on the 2010 harvest at Kumeu River.
New Zealand Food and Wine TV 
