h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Sometimes you can have a perfect wine experience.

A few weeks ago I visited my parents in Stanthorpe, in south-east Queensland. Stanthorpe is in the heart of what's called the "Granite Belt", an area historically volcanic and whose well-drained sandy soils (combined with cool nights on account of the elevation) are ideal for growing fruit, including grapes. Hence the area's rapidly growing reputation as a producer of premium wines.

We did some tasting, including a tiny place called Winewood - a husband-and-wife operation with all grapes grown, picked, crushed, fermented, bottled and stored onsite. They are the first growers in the district to grow the Marsanne grape - which I tasted, turns out it's quite a tart, spicy white grape with undertones of citrus.

The winemaker recommended it be drunk with spicy meat meals - poultry etc. So I bought a bottle, took it home, and drank it with a green Thai chicken curry. And do you think the wine and food complemented each other? PERFECTLY. The food brought out the undertones of the Marsanne, the Marsanne's spiciness perfectly complemented the mild spice of the chicken.

Life's little pleasures.