JC turned water into wine and now JC writes about it. Even though Jesus Christ performed a series of miracles, not the least being his turning water into wine, it surprises me why a number of Christian churches continue to use raspberry vinegar in some of their services.

Mind you, the Roman Catholic an Anglican communions serve the real stuff,- and you should see how the Priest polishes off any left-overs.   And, why shouldn't they. Wine is the most celebrated drink. It is a civilised drink and we Australians can be exceptionally proud of the bottled product which is produced 'down under'.  These pages will only deal with Australian wines ! We'll tell you where you can buy it and at what price.

Nb There is no copyright on this material. It may be used without cost. However, please note at the time of preparing and posting the information included is believed to have been correct.
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The tour was out to Palm Valley, in Central Australia.

The operator was the very well known and highly regarded Alice Springs Holidays,- a full day tour which takes in a trip along the Finke River, the oldest river bed in the world, and after the bitumen, it's a slow 20 kilometre trip over some rather rugged tracks.
In fact, it tales 2 hours just to cover the last 20 k's, but a lot fun.
A visit to Hermannsburg Lutheran Mission is also included, on the way home, checking out the historic precinct.
But to the food and the wine.
Morning tea with home made carrot cake and cookies, and after a good old walk up beautiful Palm Valley, Alice Springs Holidays calls into an excellent picnic spot.
Tables and seating, - all under cover, with each picnic area having its own gas BBQ.
The Park Rangers certainly do things well.
The picnic area we visited is just one of several in the area,- up at the camping grounds there are further facilities.

A salad lunch was the order of the day,- way out in the middle of the Central Australia desert, there we were eight of us, sitting around enjoying a gourmet picnic lunch or chicken salad, pasta salad and a Greek salad, fresh home baked bread and that accompanied by a wine.
My choice was a Logan 04 Apple Tree Flat Semillon Sauvignon Blanc.
Not a bad choice either, and it's priced at just under $10, making it one of the better valued wines.
It's very much Aussie, with the semillon grapes out of Mudgee and the Sauvignon Blanc fruit from Orange.
I was impressed with its flavour, nice and lively, and a perfect drop to sample in the warmer summer months.
Obviously out at Palm Springs, most times it's warm to hot, so a crisp salad or two, home baked bread, and a refreshing glass of the Logan 04 Apple Tree Flat Semilion Sauvignoin Blanc,- is such a pleasant way to go.
Now, the one-day touring package from Alice Springs Holidays is priced at $159 per adult, and that does include lunch with wine or beer or soft drinks included in the price.
It's not a byo, as refreshments are inclusive.
The tour departs Alice Springs each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
For bookings check the website www.alicespringsholidays.com.au

It was a total accident, - having booked into a decent motel in Tamworth at around 7-00pm, the next thing to do was to locate a decent restaurant.
Whilst the motel had its own restaurant, I wanted to stretch the legs and walk to a dining location.
It just so happens that one block back along the New England Highway was an Indian restaurant.
A quick check inside,- the aromas were out of this world, so look no further,
We have struck pay-dirt.
Welcome to the Priya Mahal, located along Goonoo Goonoo Road, Tamworth.
Choice for the evening was Kashmiri Malai Kofta,- or vegetables and cottage cheese dumplings cooked in wonderfully rich gravy.
This would make a meal in itself, flavours coming out of every bite. Superb.
Second fish was Chicken Pudina,- boneless chicken cooked with onion curry based with mint and coriander garnished with capsicum.
Again, delicious.
A wine to accompany, and there was no better choice than a wine from Arthur's Seat in Victoria, featuring a wine from of the Miceli childrens' collection.
From the Mornington Peninsula winery, I selected the Miceli Olivia's Chardonnay 2000.
Hand picked grapes with whole bunch pressed thus maintaining supreme fruit flavour.
This wine, by the way, took out a gold and trophy at Royal Melbourne 2004, as the best Victorian white wine.
I sure did choose well.
Now the dumplings at Priya Mahal were priced at $14.90, and the Chicken Pudina, at $17.90.
And the Miceli Olivia's Chardonnay 2004, recommended retail price is $26.
For details of distributors contact Anthony Miceli,- his work number is 03 5979 1801.
And, to check on the kitchen sat Priya Mahal, telephone (02) 6765 2511. Reservations are a must.