Recently, I was fortunate to have traveled to Honduras with my daughter on a service trip with Hands To Honduras - Tela. Hands to Honduras (H2H) is a non-profit that, with financial support from Rotary International, partners with local communities in the Tela area of Honduras, bringing together North American and Honduran communities to provide educational, medical, and humanitarian assistance to the Atlántida coastal region of Honduras. It is a partnership with volunteers from both the area served as well as outside assistance, all working hand in hand. Projects have included dental care, building of schools, eye-care clinics, pediatric clinics, and women’s health care. A recent project includes the completion of a maternity ward where women are able to have a clean and safe place while waiting to deliver their babies.
So why is this in Wine Talk?
Packed in my suitcase, along with sports equipment, toothbrushes and toothpaste and medical supplies to donate to the community, were the following bottles, each enjoyed after long days of hard work:
2009 AP Vin Kanzler Vineyard Pinot Noir -Sonoma Coast
This was enjoyed after a long day of landscaping at Hogar Materno - a maternity ward where women are able to wait in a safe and clean location while waiting to be allowed in to the hospital to give birth. This was a twist and pour and served with food (conch soup and grilled lobster). At first, it showed some heat due to the fact that it was at room temperature (mid-70s). We put it in ice and then re-poured. With a bit cooler temp, this showed no heat. It has an inviting nose of spice and dark berries. There is ample fruit and spice. While rich, it retains elegance and vibrancy. There is a blood orange element that compliments the seafood. Well done. Delicious. It was a crowd pleaser.
Hogar Materno:
The second wine was a 2007 Dönnhoff Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Spätlese (Nahe, Germany).
This wine was paired with Chinese food – noodles and shrimp, Kung Pao Chicken and assorted seafood and vegetable noodle dishes. Wonderful nose of ripe fruit (peaches, apricots and pineapple). At first, there is a sweetness to it and then the tangy citrus notes, cleansing the palate and inviting you for another sip. Folks enjoyed this, finding it curious that it had a sweet bouquet, quite fruity at first, with good acidity, showing complexity and depth.
Here is a photo of a school building being constructed. Part of the building was built by H 2 H in the past; we were building an outdoor kitchen for them to serve meals to the children as part of the child care and after school care programs.
Wonderful kids - part of the reason why we serve.
Salud.