The 2011 Rugby World Cup finally kicks off in Auckland on Friday night. Thank God for that – it’s been all the press and politicians talk about for the past two years!
On the streets of Auckland, there’s a palpable sense of excitement. Residents and shop owners are flying the flags of the competing countries. Friends are planning opening ceremony parties to coincide with the city’s biggest ever fireworks display. And a winery has built a rugby ball out of grapevines. As you do…
Nelson’s Te Mania wines has built the World’s biggest grapevine rugby ball (although I suspect it’s probably the only one ever made) to celebrate the World Cup. The ball measures a sizeable six metres by four metres.
They’ve also released a wine to commemorate the tournament: ‘Big Balls’ Syrah 2010. And it’s pretty tasty. It doesn’t have the balls of a Barossa Shiraz but it is a fruity little number with plenty of peppery spice. A great quaffer for taking round to a rugby party, and drawing a few smiles. After all, isn’t wine meant to be about bringing a bit of joy to our lives?
The world’s biggest grapevine rugby ball and other sculptures will be on display till Christmas at the Te Mania cellar door in Richmond, Nelson. Oh, and the Big Balls Syrah will set you back $21.99
