Central Otago became a backdrop to the first blog team meeting last month. We tasted, sipped, sniffed, and nibbled our way through a few of the district’s wineries so it seemed only fitting that our theme for the month be grapes and that we share recipes made from grapes, wine, raisins, sultanas and vine leaves.
It doesn’t surprise me that over 75,000 square kilometres of land is dedicated to the growing of grapes, and 71% of this is used specifically for the production of wine. In New Zealand, wine culture is “booming” – giving credit to our maritime climate and clean, green sustainable living – which was hugely evident on our tour from Dunedin, through Alexandra to Bannockburn.
The versatility of the grape is clearly demonstrated in the diversity of our dishes this month – from pinot noir pizza to sultana cake.
Tomorrow Emma will tell the tale of our trip and share photographs of the stunning south.
Such a lovely idea and definitely you had a grape time… lovely every image and every dish you made…