GUESS WHAT? SAM NEILL & ANNABEL LANGBEIN DO LUNCH, SAM WINS LONDON WINE AWARD

Guess what? Against the breathtaking backdrop of the Southern Alps of  New Zealand,

two of our favorite people in the world, with Kiwi connections

Annabel Langbein and Sam Neill, had early dinner.

Overseas in London, Sam has taken to growing his own Oscars in a Kiwi vineyard, and virtually giving the goodness away from New Zealand. He has scooped up a few nods and an award for his trouble.

News today says: Sam’s red the toast of London:

Actor Sam Neill is used to plaudits for his acting, but now his red wine is getting high praise. The Kiwi movie star’s flagship Two Paddocks Pinot Noir 2010 won an outstanding gold medal at this week’s International Wine and Spirit Competition in London.

The well humored humble Sam says, “At Two Paddocks we never enter our wine into competitions, so it was with astonishment that I received news that we’d won gold.”

The gold medal was one of four awarded to Otago vineyards, including Neill’s neighbours Valli Gibbston Vineyard, which was awarded the coveted Bouchard Finlayson trophy for the top pinot noir. New Zealand won 323 medals compared to 304 last year.–Lynley Bilby has more.

Curtis Marsh of the Asia Sentinel is a real fan of Sam’s wines’ optimum drinking potential and writes:

“A note came through the email this morning from Sam Neill, proprietor of Two Paddocks, that prompted me to report on their 2008 Pinot Noir, which I have 5 cases in the cellar; well 4 cases now having liberated a case recently to check on how it is evolving – and was consumed within the week! The ‘Prop’ had suggested “To drink up the 08’s, there’s exciting things ahead”, which illustrates the enthusiasm for the 2009 and 2010 vintages in Central Otago.

An equilibrium of increasing vine age, maturity in the winemakers and better understanding of their vineyards and sub-regional complexities. My congratulations to the Two Paddocks team on their gong – Bravo! As Winston Churchill said, “Everyone has his day and some days last longer than others…”

That Sam is such a clever chap aint he?

In Frankfurt recently, promoting her high quality brand of cook books for New Zealand, Annabel’s amazing always, in or out of the kitchen. Tu much laughter, frivolity and fun.

[Photo: Bella's blog. Congratulations. Fantastic].

~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 14.10.12~