Duck and port

[Ole Udsen]

Hi Bjoern,

I am indeed Danish, and I live and work in Kazakhstan (check http://www.maxpetroleum.com for details on my work place). The local wine unfortunately is not very good, even though they actually make a Port type that the call "portvein". All wines tend to be unintentionally oxidised and/or otherwise faulty (unclean or musty smells and flavours). The wine selection is improving constantly (Kazakhstan has a GDP growth of about 10% a year and by now a fairly large and wealthy upper middle to upper class), and between supermarkets and specialized wine shops I can cover most of my needs, albeit at a price. One major drawback is the complete absence of real Port on the market. I bring the bottles back from my frequent travels abroad.

Best regards
Ole

[Bjørn Tore Aastorp Ruud]

Hello Ole.
Very interesting, must be a real interesting work and stay indeed in a country like Kazakstan, I can only imagine. I was living to years in Mexico from 2003 to 2005, of course very different, but I got a very good experience getting to know an other culture and the people from inside. You dont get this just by traveling around.
I got quite desperate, not finding wines that I wanted, especially port was limited in Mexico. I got in contact with the wineindustry and wine importers there, and earned some money as a consultant on the side. That way I could have access to the best wines imported to Mexico. Thank god. I am now back in Norway again working for the state wine monopoly.
Anyway, wine is not everything. I wish you luck in your abroad life.
Lets talk soon.