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New Zealand

Happy Hour: 2009 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc
happy hour

Happy Hour: 2009 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc

Last month, I was floored by the drinkability of Babich's 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, and I've been obsessed with Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs ever since.
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Last month, I was floored by the drinkability of Babich's 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, and I've been obsessed with Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs ever since. Marlborough is New Zealand's premiere region for the grape; the sunny, cool, maritime climate is ideal for producing crisp, herbal wines.

A grocer at Trader Joe's recommended Kim Crawford to me, calling it "the standard" for New Zealand Sauv Blanc, and I have to agree with her. Its innocent straw color is deceptive; one sip reveals an intense, concentrated wine with grass, green apple, pear, and guava notes. The finish is off-dry, but leaves a memorable, lingering acidity at the back of the tongue.

For $15, an everyday white doesn't get much better than this. Have you ever tried Kim Crawford? What's your go-to white?

Happy Hour: 2009 Babich Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
happy hour

Happy Hour: 2009 Babich Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Last Monday, I went out for dinner at a nearby restaurant.
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Last Monday, I went out for dinner at a nearby restaurant. As luck would have it, all the wines were half off, so we asked our server to pick something for us. Her choice? A 2009 Babich Sauvignon Blanc, from the Marlborough Region of New Zealand.

I was surprised anything so young could be this good. It smelled like passionfruit, with a hint of guava, and on first sip, was slightly effervescent yet creamy at the same time. It ended with a tart finish. As time passed, notes of pear seemed to take over on the nose and the front of the palate.

I love wines that evolve right before my eyes as I'm drinking them. Have you ever had a similar experience?

Coveted Crib: The Dalman House
modern design

Coveted Crib: The Dalman House

As if I needed more of a reason to immigrate to New Zealand, now I'm presented with some of the beautiful work of Dalman Architects.
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As if I needed more of a reason to immigrate to New Zealand, now I'm presented with some of the beautiful work of Dalman Architects. Located in the city of Christchurch, the firm's commitment to sustainability and adaptive designs make it one of New Zealand's top residential architects.

I was particular drawn to a house created for the firm's lead architect and his family. Constructed from honed concrete block and Zincalume, a metallic-coated sheet steel, this home has a distinctly modern, streamlined look. Featured in the book Top Houses From Down Under by Robin Beaver, it has also been widely published in architectural journals, and also won the NZIA and Master Builders awards in 2004.

For a full tour, read more

Baby Asian Otters Welcomed to New Zealand Zoo, Baby Zoo Animals
cute animals

What a Pair: Baby Otters Welcomed in New Zealand

A pair of snuggly baby Asian otters were welcomed into the world last month in New Zealand and made their public debut yesterday at the Auckland Zoo.
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A pair of snuggly baby Asian otters were welcomed into the world last month in New Zealand and made their public debut yesterday at the Auckland Zoo. The babies are still very wiggly and clumsy (being too young for much coordination), and are small enough to fit in your hand! I used to have a baby otter toy when I was younger but thinking back, I realize my toy was nothing compared to the cuteness of the real thing!

Asian otters are closely related to ferrets and skunks, and are the smallest of all 13 species. You can't see these little guys up close (unless you live in New Zealand, of course), but you can check out a video of Asian otters in action via the Monterey Bay Aquarium's exhibit here in California.

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