I’ve made it out of Shanghai and am enjoying the warm weather of Byron Bay, Australia. Tomorrow, I head out for New Zealand, where a world of new Pinots and Sauvignon Blancs are soon to be discovered. The trip to Shanghai was unbelievable – beginning with the speedy magnetic train that gets you from the airport to the center of Shanghai – to the smog filled sky that blocks the beauty the country is developing. During the trip, my classmates and I enjoyed excursions to various global companies and spent an afternoon with Communist leaders at the China Executive Leadership Academy Pudong (CELAP). CELAP is a Shanghai-based national institution that assists in developing China’s senior leaders and executives across the government and state-owned enterprises. The building itself is breathtaking, having just finished construction in 2005.
Of course, I could not have gone to China without sampling their wines, so while at dinner on Sunday evening, I purchased a bottle of Dynasty wine to compliment our family-style meal. The wine was described as a Dry Red Wine, but honestly, it was far from that. To be fair, I will simply say that the Chinese have a way to go to compete in the developing wine market. My friends who were brave enough to sample the wine also felt that the wine needed a little extra care and development, and after one sip, decided to stick with the Tiger Beer for the rest of the evening.
Now that I’m on my way to New Zealand, I will be overwhelmed with fantastic wine from this relatively new wine growing region. I hope to enjoy many Pinot Noirs, but anticipate that I’ll find some new gems as I explore around the islands.
A quick note on the wedding festivities I have engaged in the past few days. The wedding was absolutely breathtaking and delightful. The setting in Byron Bay, the east coast of Australia, couldn’t have been more perfect, and the company, along with Ann and Adam’s friends and family made the experience so genuine and inviting. It was such an honor to be part of the occasion and to see the union of two people who are meant to spend their lives together. Once I have my photos loaded, I’ll share them some great pics of the wedding.
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