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Restaurant Hiakai 20190313_173010

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Restaurants

Restaurant Hiakai

Enikö Dub July 22, 2019

While we were in New Zealand, we were looking for one special place to visit in Wellington,...

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GRAPE TALK: EPISODE 34: Nero d’Avola🍇You didn

GRAPE TALK: EPISODE 34: Nero d’Avola🍇You didn’t think I’d talk about Sicilian grapes and skip this bold beauty, did you? It’s time to meet Sicily’s red king: Nero d’Avola—a grape that’s finally getting the respect it deserves 🇮🇹👇

☝️ Save this post if you’re studying Italian reds or planning a Sicilian wine trip—and follow me for more grape stories!

1️⃣ Nero d’Avola, named after the town of Avola in southeastern Sicily, has been grown on the island for centuries. Once mainly used in blends for its deep colour and structure, it’s now a solo performer—and a powerful one at that.

2️⃣ The name says it all: this is a dark-skinned variety known for producing deeply coloured, full-bodied wines. It thrives in Sicily’s hot, arid climate, especially in provinces like Siracusa, Noto, and Agrigento. It’s drought-resistant and sun-loving—basically built for the Mediterranean life.

3️⃣ What I love about Nero d’Avola is its range. In warmer inland areas, it gives plush, intense wines with ripe black fruit, spice, and velvety tannins. But in coastal zones or higher elevations, it surprises you with freshness, juicy cherry notes, and herbal touches. There’s a Nero d’Avola for every palate!

4️⃣ Think dark cherry, plum, liquorice, and sometimes a chocolatey or balsamic edge. The fuller-bodied styles are a dream with grilled meats or hearty pasta, while the lighter versions pair beautifully with Mediterranean veggie dishes or even a chill on a summer evening.

Tried Nero d’Avola recently? Do you prefer the bolder styles or the lighter, fresher ones?

📖 And don’t miss my article for more on Sicily’s signature varieties—link in bio.

Photos by @anna.besko @wineofsiciliadoc

#GrapeTalk #NerodAvola #SicilianWine #ItalianWine #SiciliaDOC #WineEducation #WineEncsy #WineCulture #RedWineLovers #WineAdventures #IndigenousVarieties #WineBlog #WineTasting #WineTerroir

DUCA DI SALAPARUTA: THE ICONIC FACE OF SICILIAN WI

DUCA DI SALAPARUTA: THE ICONIC FACE OF SICILIAN WINE.🇮🇹 Sometimes, you’ve just got to see where it all began…⬇️

👉 Duca di Salaparuta @ducadisalaparuta is not your average winery visit. It’s a walk through nearly 200 years of Sicilian wine history. Located just 30 minutes from Palermo in Casteldaccia, this estate was founded in 1824 and helped put Sicily🇮🇹 on the global wine map—especially thanks to its Marsala roots.🍇

☝️These days, it’s all about combining that heritage with innovation. The estate has gorgeous cellars and tasting rooms, and despite being one of the most recognised names in Sicily, the attention to detail and quality is still front and centre.

🍷 I had the chance to taste their best Nero d'Avola 🍇 wines last year during my press trip with @wineofsiciliadoc , here are they:

➡️ Passo delle Mule: juicy and smooth with forest fruits, blackcurrant, blackberry, and just a pinch of pepper. Velvety tannins, chocolatey touches, balanced all around.

➡️ Triskelé: a spiced beauty with vanilla, coffee, and a soft bouquet of cherries and rose. Structured but youthful—this one’s got aging potential, but it’s already such a pleasure.

➡️ Duca Enrico 2020: oh yes. Power, structure, elegance. Mint, cassis, chocolate and red fruit, wrapped in firm yet smooth tannins. 15% alcohol, but you’d never guess—it’s so fresh.

➡️ Duca Enrico 2004: for the wine nerds out there (me, obviously), this was a treat. Mushroom, tobacco leaf, salami, dried rose petals, still going strong with vibrant acidity and depth.

👌Check out the full tasting notes and winery story in my latest blog post!😍

❗️Link in bio❗️

Do you have a favourite "classic" Italian winery you always go back to?🍷

#DucaDiSalaparuta #SiciliaDOC #SicilianWines #WineHeritage #WineTastingSicily #IconicWineries #ItalianWine #WineTrip #SicilyTravel #DucaEnrico #PassoDelleMule #triskele

What's my superpower?🦸‍♀️ I can make wine

What's my superpower?🦸‍♀️ I can make wine disappear! 🍷 Also, I can make people sleep just by talking about wines for hours...

➡️ Jumping on this trend, and these are the two superpowers I came up with — but what do you think? Anything else?

Most importantly, I am curious: what is your superpower? 🙂

I would like to get to know you better! And please also share — what would you like to see more of on @wine_encsy? Educational content, tastings and new discoveries, wine fun, or something else? Let me know! 🍷

#winecontent #winefun #trendingcontent #wineinfluencer #winepower #superpower #winediscoveries #winelovers #winecommunity #instawine #winehumour #winetime #wineentertainment #wineeducation #femalewinelover #wineinstagram #winevibes

GRAPE TALK: EPISODE 33: Catarratto 🍇Back with a

GRAPE TALK: EPISODE 33: Catarratto 🍇Back with another Sicilian🇮🇹 classic—this time, we’re diving into Catarratto, one of Sicily’s most planted white grapes (and definitely one of the most misunderstood)!⬇️

☝️ Save this post for your WSET studies or future trips to Sicily, and follow me for more wine discoveries!

1️⃣ Catarratto has been cultivated in Sicily for centuries, particularly in the island’s western regions like Trapani and Palermo. For a long time, it was the workhorse grape—used in bulk wines, Marsala, and blends.

2️⃣ Catarratto actually comes in three main biotypes—Comune, Lucido, and Extra Lucido. The differences lie in their bloom: from more opaque (Comune) to almost shiny and ‘lucid’ (Lucido and Extra Lucido). DNA-wise, they’re very closely related—but winemakers are getting more curious about the expression of each.

3️⃣ Catarratto thrives in hot, dry climates—perfect for Sicily’s sun-drenched vineyards. It’s a high-yielding variety, but when carefully managed, it can produce wines with great finesse and structure. Many producers are now lowering yields and picking at optimal ripeness to let this grape truly shine.

4️⃣ Expect aromas of lemon zest, wild herbs, white peach, and sometimes even a saline, mineral twist depending on terroir. The best examples are crisp, textured, and food-friendly—an absolute treat with seafood or grilled vegetables. Some versions, especially under Sicilia DOC, can even age beautifully.

Have you ever tried a varietal Catarratto?🍷 I’d love to know your thoughts! Drop them in the comments.⬇️

📖 And for more on Sicilian🇮🇹 grapes, don’t miss my articles—link in bio!

#GrapeTalk #Catarratto #SicilianWine #ItalianWine #SiciliaDOC #WineEducation #WineEncsy #WineCulture #WineLovers #WhiteWine #IndigenousVarieties #WineGeek #WineAdventures #WineBlog #WineTerroir #WineTasting

AUGUSTALI: WINES FOR THE PARENTS, BEES FOR THE KID

AUGUSTALI: WINES FOR THE PARENTS, BEES FOR THE KIDS. But how is that related? In a really charming Sicilian🇮🇹 way!⬇️

👉 Augustali was the second winery that I visited during my press trip last year by the @wineofsiciliadoc , and it was such a lovely experience to taste the wines under the fresh air in the garden, rather than in an air-conditioned room. Especially when you live in Austria, that temperature and sun in October really lifts your spirits! ☀️

☝️But back to the farm. Indeed, it all started as an educational farm for children in 2011 with Finella Ammoscato, whose real calling is to educate the youngest possible generation about sustainability and farming.🚜

Next to the farm and olive trees🫒 in Sicily, it was obvious that wine🍇 had to come into the picture with Vincenzo Bambina, her husband, who already had 30 years of experience in winemaking.

This is how @augustali_wines were born – out of the love for the lands of Bosco Falconeria🇮🇹, where they own 19 hectares, out of which 6 are dedicated to vines.🍇 Under the sun in that beautiful garden, we tasted their 3 varietal wines classified as Sicilia DOC. Namely, the 3 main native varieties in Sicily:

🍇 Grillo Il Mare 2023: a structured wine with exotic notes, complexity and balance.
🍇 Nero d'Avola La Vigna 2022: a smooth and spicy expression of the grape with dark fruits.
🍇 Catarratto 2023: sweet and creamy aromas but dry palate, refreshing with a long finish.

👌This place is an unforgettable experience for the whole family and easily reachable from Palermo – I can only recommend it! 🤗

➡️ I have the full tasting notes on these wines, but I will share them on the blog very soon! Until then, you can learn about the native varieties and the Sicilia DOC classification in my latest articles. - Link in Bio!

Do you have a favourite Sicilian wine?🍷

#Augustali #SiciliaDOC #SicilianWines #FamilyWinery #Grillo #NeroDAvola #Catarratto #SustainableWine #WineTastingSicily #WineTrip #OrganicWine #ItalianWineLovers #Winelover #WineExperience #visitsicily

A GLASS OF BURGENLAND.🍷Or as many as you want!

A GLASS OF BURGENLAND.🍷Or as many as you want! ➡️ The motto of this Monday's tasting.

👉Yesterday, @wein_burgenland did it again—gathering 114 wineries to present their wines, including the new vintage 2024, in the iconic Hofburg🏰 at the centre of Vienna.🇦🇹

Nearly 2,000 people had an introduction to the main red wine🍷 region of Austria, where the different appellations were divided into different rooms.

🍇These main appellations are:

▪️Leithaberg
▪️Neusiedlersee
▪️Rosalia
▪️Mittelburgenland
▪️Eisenberg

☝️Every sub-region has its specialty and is not only producing red wines. I had the chance to taste some Welschriesling,🍇 Chardonnay🍇, Grüner Veltliner🍇, and Neuburger🍇 as dry white wines, and of course, some serious sweet wines, especially from Neusiedlersee.🍷 Even an orange wine!

👌 There is enough space here next to the world-class Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, and Sankt Laurent, and I encourage everyone to discover the diversity of this region for themselves❗️

🤗 In my personal opinion, the most diverse Austrian region is Burgenland.🍷 With the number of wineries present, I couldn't taste everything, but let me share my favourites from this afternoon:

🔹️Weingut Esterházy @weingut.esterhazy from Leithaberg
🔹️Weingut Feiler-Artinger @weingutfeilerartinger from Rust-Leithaberg
🔹️Artisan Wines @artisanwines from Neusiedlersee
🔹️Rotweingut Prickler @rotweingutprickler from Mittelburgenland
🔹️Weingut MAD @weingut_mad_oggau from Leithaberg

Of course, there are so many more great wineries—I have shown you a lot over the years! Looking forward to the next edition in 2026! 😍

Do you have a favourite wine from Burgenland?🍷

#BurgenlandWine #AustrianWine #WeinBurgenland #Blaufränkisch #Zweigelt #SanktLaurent #Neusiedlersee #Leithaberg #Mittelburgenland #EisenbergDAC #RosaliaDAC #Welschriesling #GrünerVeltliner #WineTasting #ViennaWine #WineLover #NaturalWine #SweetWine #WineloverCommunity #WineInstagram #WineInfluencer #Weinverkostung

HAVE YOU TRIED WINES FROM LIECHTENSTEIN BEFORE? At

HAVE YOU TRIED WINES FROM LIECHTENSTEIN BEFORE? Attention, it is a tricky question... ⬇️

➡️ Why? Because here, Liechtenstein could mean both the winery in Austria🇦🇹 and the country🇱🇮 itself. The Hofkellerei des Fürsten von Liechtenstein @hofkellereiliechtenstein dates back to 1426, simply because the princely family of Liechtenstein were great landowners with holdings that stretched from Weinviertel across the Czech border. 🍷

👉 While the family moved to the Principality of Liechtenstein🇱🇮 after the Second World War, where they have had another cellar since 1712, they are still large landowners in Austria. This means they produce wines in both countries.🍾

☝️While in Liechtenstein, the main varieties under their hands are Pinot Noir🍇 and Chardonnay🍇, in Weinviertel, Austria, it is obviously Grüner Veltliner🍇 and Riesling🍇. However, today I am tasting a wine produced by them that comes from neither of these areas.😉

🍷This Chardonnay is from Leithaberg DAC in Burgenland—a slightly aged 2021 version that shows how the Hofkellerei handles Chardonnay on limestone soil. I have to say, pretty perfectly!👌

➡️ A medium golden colour in the glass, filled with aromas of lemon peel, orange, pear, pineapple, grapefruit, butter, and vanilla. The palate is creamy and fresh, with those citrusy flavours, along with pear, vanilla, and yellow apple. A Burgundy-style Chardonnay🍇, where elegance comes from 500-litre tonneaux and careful ageing for a year in 500-year-old cellars. A long, mineral-citrusy finish.🍷

👉 Perfectly ready to drink right now at 10-13°C, and I would pair it with creamy pasta, fish, or chicken—or simply enjoy it on its own with good company who appreciates great wines.

Do you have the kind of friends to enjoy some nice wines with❓️🍷

#LiechtensteinWine #ChardonnayLover #BurgenlandWines #AustrianWine #WineTasting #Weinviertel #LeithabergDAC #FineWines #WineExperience #WineCommunity #OldWorldWine

THE QUESTION I GET THE MOST AS A WINE EXPERT. I me

THE QUESTION I GET THE MOST AS A WINE EXPERT. I mean, right after which is my favourite wine...? ⬇️

➡️ Is this: What do you love most about wine? And the answer is—the community and the people. Falling in love with wine is great, but if you don't have anyone to share it with, it could be just a short-lived passion. In my case, at home, I am the only wine drinker, so it is not really an option to share it with my husband.

🍷When I started this journey after leaving the vibrant life in London, I was a little bit alone. But a couple of years ago, I attended my first tasting in Hungary🇭🇺, organised by the Winelovers @winelovers.hu community. And it felt like home. I got the chance to meet lots of like-minded people, I had the opportunity to learn a lot in masterclasses, and later, I even participated in the Winelovers Wine Awards as a jury member. 😍

☝️All of these were amazing moments that I will cherish and remember warmly. That is why I am happy to share the news:

👉 Winelovers Grand tasting is back on the 29th of March—in just 10 days❗️ I am looking forward to attending again and meeting my favourite Hungarian winemakers, tasting wines alongside them, as well as connecting with wine lovers and professionals from beyond Hungary.🍾

Come and discover the diversity of Hungarian wines next weekend, with more than 700 wines from 150+ producers! If you are attending, let me know because I would love to meet you in person and share a glass with you!🤗

📸 In the photos, you can find some of my favourite moments, people, and producers from these tastings. There is no better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than enjoying a great Hungarian wine in your glass with your friends! 🥂

➡️ Are we going to see each other next week? 🍷

You can buy your tickets here: https://wineloversrendezvenyek.hu/jegyrendeles/grand

#WineloversHungary #HungarianWine #WineCommunity #MagyarBor #BorKóstoló #WineFriends #WinePassion #WineMoments #WineExperience #WineLover #WineTasting

YES, I DID IT AGAIN! 😃 What about you? ⬇️

YES, I DID IT AGAIN! 😃 What about you? ⬇️

➡️ How many bottles do you usually open on a Saturday?
Any regrets on Sunday? 😉

👉 Follow for more wine fun, educational and tasting notes!

And thank you @consorziovinivenezia for the material! 🍷

#winelovers #winefun #winedrinker #winetasting
#winecontent #whitewine #winereel #winevideo

HEARD ABOUT MORELLINO DI SCANSANO? Honestly, me ne

HEARD ABOUT MORELLINO DI SCANSANO? Honestly, me neither before, but I should’ve a long time ago! Now, you'll see why you should too... ⬇️

💁‍♀️Maybe Maremma sounds familiar? A sub-region of southern Tuscany🇮🇹 where the province of Grosseto is located, alongside Cantina Vignaioli Scansano @vignaiolimorellinodiscansano . A cooperative of winegrowers where each member has around only 3 hectares. 🍇This results in attentive care of their vineyards and a little over 700 hectares on the hills surrounding Scansano.

👉 Thanks to the proximity of the sea and the slightly elevated land, Vigna Benefizio is a single vineyard selection where Sangiovese🍇 can ripen perfectly. With soil mostly sandy and rich in silt at 250-300 meters above sea level, the wine has a touch of Alicante—5% in the blend.

☝️These two native varieties result in a wine where Cantina Vignaioli Scansano really wanted to showcase the character of the grapes and the place, hence the maturation only in stainless steel tanks, followed by some refining in the bottle before release.🍾

➡️ A medium-deep ruby color with some garnet on the edges and medium-plus viscosity. The smell undoubtedly indicates Sangiovese🍇 with ripe cherries, plums, red blossom flowers, black pepper, cinnamon, and bay leaves. The palate is very smooth, with ripe, medium-plus tannins, high but well-integrated alcohol (14.5%), complemented by medium-plus acidity. Long fruity finish filled with those cherry flavours.🍒

👌This wine shows its best right now—have it at 15°C, and I would recommend it alongside all sorts of tomato-based dishes. Pizza, lamb, and beef stew as well.

🤗 See, it was worth it! Have you tasted a Morellino di Scansano before? 🍷

Also, now my problems are completely gone after a glass, would you like to give it a try too?

#italianwine #winetasting #wine #redwine #tuscany #winelover #winediscovery #wineenthusiast #docg #vinoitaliano #sangiovese #winereel #winevideo #winedrinker #sommelier #winewriter #winecontent

🍇 GRAPE TALK: EPISODE 32: Puttony Change in Tok

🍇 GRAPE TALK: EPISODE 32: Puttony Change in Tokaji Aszú wines. If you've ever seen bottles labelled 3, 4, 5, or 6 puttonyos, you might be surprised to learn that things have changed! ⬇️

☝️ Save this post and follow me so you don’t miss the next episode!

➡️ What is ‘puttony’ anyway?
Traditionally, the puttony referred to a wooden basket (about 25 kg) used to measure botrytised (noble rot) grapes. The number of puttonyos indicated how many baskets were added to a base of dry wine or must, determining the final sweetness level. More puttonyos = richer, sweeter wine!

➡️ What changed?
In 2013, Hungary’s Tokaj wine law simplified things: the 3 and 4 puttonyos categories were eliminated. Now, Tokaji Aszú must have at least 120 g/l of residual sugar (which was the minimum for 5 puttonyos before). So, from 2013 onwards, you’ll only see 5 or 6 puttonyos Aszú on labels!

➡️ Why the change?
Winemakers and regulators wanted to ensure Tokaji Aszú remains a truly premium, high-quality wine. The focus is now on rich, intense Aszú wines rather than lighter styles.

☝️Want to know more about this transformation and how it shaped modern Tokaji Aszú? Check out my latest article❗️Link in bio❗️

Have you ever tasted a Tokaji Aszú?🍷

#GrapeTalk #TokajiAszú #SweetWine #HungarianWine #Puttonyos #Botrytis #WineEducation #Winemaking #WineLovers #DessertWine #WineHistory

PERFECT PAIRING FOR WOMEN'S DAY! 🌷I might have

PERFECT PAIRING FOR WOMEN'S DAY! 🌷I might have missed posting about Furmint February🇭🇺, but it is always a good time to pour a glass of Tokaji Aszú!⬇️

Also, Aszú is not just about Furmint.🍇 Thanks to its winemaking style, Hárslevelű, Yellow Muscat, and even Zéta play a big role in catching that botrytis, which makes this wine so special. I tasted several of these sweet nectars last year in Tokaj from the 2000s and shared my favourites in my latest article on the blog. Take a look❗️

Now, I am celebrating International Women's Day with another Aszú—a collaboration between Rita Takaro @ritatakaro and Lenz Moser @lenz_m_moser with Grand Tokaj @grandtokaj , where the legendary Áts Károly is a true master of making Aszú wines.🍷

👌2013 was an amazing vintage—a lot of Aszú was born that year—but this one is one of my all-time favourites! The grapes were harvested from selected single vineyards of Furmint, Hárslevelű, and Yellow Muscat.🍇 It was fermented and aged for 24 months in 500-litre Hungarian oak barrels of limited production. Only 3,000 bottles were produced.🍾

🍷This 6 puttonyos Aszú by @mad_moser_tokaj is filled with honey and nutty layers, with candied apricots, yellow apple, and baking spices. The palate is lifted with high acidity, which is a must next to the 210 g/l of residual sugar in the wine.🍯

☝️It is Áts Károly's first vintage at Grand Tokaj, and many consider it his greatest work. Good news for wine professionals: you can taste this beauty at ProWein—Rita will be there to pour it!😉

As for a pairing suggestion, my favourite for an Aszú is always a rich cheese platter.🧀 These sweet wines are so versatile that they can pair with almost any cheese. Don't forget to chill your bottle to 10°C for the perfect experience.

P.S.: If you want to learn how Aszú has evolved over the last century, read my latest article❗️

Are you a Tokaji Aszú🇭🇺 or sweet wine fan?🍷

#tokajiaszu #tokajwine #hungarianwine #winesofhungary #furmint #sweetwine #winelover #winestudy #wineknowledge #wineprofessional #prowein

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