More Than Wine

New Zealand is known for its award-winning New World wines and breathtaking wine regions. A visit there is (or should be) on every wine lover’s bucket list. But what if wine’s not your thing? While it may seem shocking to those of us who worship the grape, there are people out there who don’t salivate when they see a cork.

There is hope for those not into wine – the Kiwis also have a thriving boutique brewery culture. In fact, beer in New Zealand can be traced back to Captain Cook who, in 1773, brewed up what could only be considered the first craft beer in the country (to help his crew overcome scurvy – at least, that’s the excuse they used). New Zealand is home to more than 250 beers brewed in the country. There are many regions on both the North and South Islands that boast excellent craft breweries and tasting options, including tours of the breweries. In Marlborough, the birthplace of New Zealand’s sauvignon blanc, beer aficionados can enjoy the excellent beer made by Renaissance Brewing Company. With these tasting notes for one of their ales: “layers of biscuit, maple syrup, and hints of black current and toast” – you know you just have to try it! One of New Zealand’s most popular and oldest beer brands is Speight’s. At its brewery in Dunedin, they offer a fun and interactive tour where visitors can see, touch and smell the ingredients that go into the award-winning and popular beer – and, of course, taste the end product. For travellers not sure where to start when it comes to beer, all you have to do is ask a local what beer to try; a lively conversation is bound to happen.

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Beer isn’t the only non-wine beverage that Kiwis are good at making. New Zealand vodka is also incredibly popular. Some of the top brands, like Broken Shed (made from New Zealand whey) and 42 Below, have gained cult-like followings. 42 Below, which is available in Canada, offers infused vodka using things like passion fruit, honey and feijoa (a small, zesty native fruit). New Zealand bartenders (called mixologists by the younger, hipper crowd) are creating some incredible taste sensations with New Zealand vodka. Some of the best local specialty cocktails are served at Bellini in Auckland (offering a stunning view of the Auckland Harbour), No5 Church Lane in Queenstown (inside the posh, yet very comfortable, Spire Hotel), and King of Snake (the hip place to see and be seen) in Christchurch. While world-class coffee might not normally be associated with New Zealand, the fact is, Kiwis know how to make a mean espresso, although the names of the drinks might be a bit confusing – short black (single shot of espresso), long black (espresso with hot water) and a flat white (espresso with a soft layer of steamed milk). While almost every little coffee shop throughout New Zealand makes great coffee, Wellington is home to several of the country’s most popular coffee roasters – including Havana, where they take as much care with their coffee beans as the Kiwi vintners do with their grapes. Air New Zealand (www.airnewzealand.ca) has direct non-stop flights from Vancouver to Auckland and offers flights from many other North American cities. For more information about New Zealand, please visit: www.NewZealand.com. Captain Cook reference Craft Beer Capital Renaissance Brewing Company Spieght’s Brewery Tour Broken Shed 42 Below Bellini No5 Church Lane – [url=http://www.no5churchlane.co.nz/]http://www.no5churchlane.co.nz/[/url] King of Snake Havana