I have really been trying hard to resist adding fuel to the “Global Meltdown” fire. I am sick of it. One tactic I have used is Read the rest of this entry »

We have just returned from a family holiday to the US.

How do I know we are back? The 2-inch pile of credit card statements on the kitchen table, and the 2 kilo accumulation of American hot dogs somewhere else are two certain signs! Read the rest of this entry »

Not so long ago I attended the NZ Film Festival in Auckland.

Living in the country, this is the “annual urban reward” I give to myself.

In the weeks before the festival, I study the program, circle the time slots and Read the rest of this entry »

Terroir (pronounced “tear-wah”)…

I see that word a lot these days. In fact, I think it is used so much it has lost its original meaning.

I think a lot of wineries either deliberately lie about terroir or don’t understand what terroir is.

Marketing people love the word “terroir” which almost guarantees it will be abused!

So what is “terroir” supposed to be?

“Terroir” is a French word that Read the rest of this entry »