Ben and Sarah become Sommeliers!
Posted by Sarah O'Neill , Tuesday, 3 May 2011 00:39
So, I have finally caught up on my blogging, and am writing about yesterday which is a pleasure!
We had to get up rather early yesterday to drive to Blenheim for 11am to be picked up for the wine tour we had booked. We got there with plenty 
of time, so had some time to catch up on blogs and emails! The weather was grotty rain, but the day would mostly be inside anyway! We got picked up by our lovely guide Coleen, and met another couple who were on the tour, and can you believe they were from Devon too! Barnstaple to be precise! They had already been to two wineries as they were doing the full day, so we had some catching up to do! We were taken to Wither Hills winery first, which was a lovely building and had a raging fire which made it really cosy! Basically it was the same at each winery we visited, they give you a sample of about 5 - 10 wines, tell you about them, answer any questions etc, and you talk about what you like, and who distributes them in your country! We also went down to the cellar which was very atmospheric, they even hold weddings down there! I'm not really a fan of red wine, though I did try them, they mostly give you white anyway, which suited me! We both found we liked the Pinot Gris and Riesling, (which has a bad name for itself in the UK, like blue nun and Leibfraumilch, but is not like that!), so now we know what we like, and which brands which is good! I really liked the Noble Riesling at one place, even when I found 
out that the 'noble' bit means the grapes were rotted! We hit another vineyard, and then got taken to another one for lunch and tastings, while Coleen picked up another couple doing the afternoon tour. Ben had a very nice looking sirloin burger, while I had Pork schnitzel and chunky chips, and then a brownie to finish! Yum! We then went to two more winerys, and Prenzels distillery where we got to taste all sorts of whisky, schnapps, and vinaigrettes! Then we went to a fudge shop, and of course I had to buy some! Then Coleen took us to a little place that sold chutneys and more fudge, so we bought a delicious chutney for sandwiches and of course some more fudge! The final stop was a luxury chocolate factory, with free tasters, Mmmm! By the end of the day we were feeling quite merry and had a thoroughly great day! Got dropped back to our campsite and decided to get KFC as neither of us could be bothered to cook! Had another early night watching DVDs, and Ben's hangover began to kick in before we went to sleep which was quite funny! It was a brilliant day!
of time, so had some time to catch up on blogs and emails! The weather was grotty rain, but the day would mostly be inside anyway! We got picked up by our lovely guide Coleen, and met another couple who were on the tour, and can you believe they were from Devon too! Barnstaple to be precise! They had already been to two wineries as they were doing the full day, so we had some catching up to do! We were taken to Wither Hills winery first, which was a lovely building and had a raging fire which made it really cosy! Basically it was the same at each winery we visited, they give you a sample of about 5 - 10 wines, tell you about them, answer any questions etc, and you talk about what you like, and who distributes them in your country! We also went down to the cellar which was very atmospheric, they even hold weddings down there! I'm not really a fan of red wine, though I did try them, they mostly give you white anyway, which suited me! We both found we liked the Pinot Gris and Riesling, (which has a bad name for itself in the UK, like blue nun and Leibfraumilch, but is not like that!), so now we know what we like, and which brands which is good! I really liked the Noble Riesling at one place, even when I found 
out that the 'noble' bit means the grapes were rotted! We hit another vineyard, and then got taken to another one for lunch and tastings, while Coleen picked up another couple doing the afternoon tour. Ben had a very nice looking sirloin burger, while I had Pork schnitzel and chunky chips, and then a brownie to finish! Yum! We then went to two more winerys, and Prenzels distillery where we got to taste all sorts of whisky, schnapps, and vinaigrettes! Then we went to a fudge shop, and of course I had to buy some! Then Coleen took us to a little place that sold chutneys and more fudge, so we bought a delicious chutney for sandwiches and of course some more fudge! The final stop was a luxury chocolate factory, with free tasters, Mmmm! By the end of the day we were feeling quite merry and had a thoroughly great day! Got dropped back to our campsite and decided to get KFC as neither of us could be bothered to cook! Had another early night watching DVDs, and Ben's hangover began to kick in before we went to sleep which was quite funny! It was a brilliant day! 
This sounds like a fab part of the trip. Can't believe you met some people from Devon and where I was born! Small world! xx