Two Little Dickie Birds.

These two baby starlings had just dropped in for a drink.
They are actually bigger than mum!
They didn't mind Mr Frog!

We have just spent a lovely day with our friends from Spain. I think they are feeling the cold!
It was nice catching up on all the news, and laughing about old times!

We enjoyed our dinner and wine tasting last night.
Always good company and good food.

Some interesting New Zealand wines, if a little expensive.
My favourite white wine was :
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 5 "Bull Block" Gruner Veltliner 2011
The grape variety Gruner Veltliner is an Austrian variety which they are now trying in NZ with great success.
It was dry,fruity nice balance of acidity,not unlike some Alsace wines.
At £13,59 we all thought it was a bit over priced.

There was a superb Pinot Noir, from Hawkes Bay, one of New Zealand's oldest wine regions.
Lime Rock Pinot Noir 2008 Hawkes Bay
At £15,99 a bottle seemed expensive, but you would have to pay a lot more for a similar quality Burgundy.

A cheaper red wine at £8,99 was Villa Maria Private Bin Merlot/ Cabernet 2010 Hawkes Bay. Made in the style of a French Bordeaux.
I liked this one which was quite smooth. High alcohol at 14.5%. !
Fortunately I wasn't driving home!

It is nice to be able to taste wines which are different, and ones which you would not normally buy.
(Back to Morrison's £4.99 special offers!)

Oh and well done Dickie Bird on receiving the OBE today!!!