MARCH TO MELBOURNE IN MARCH.
A gastronomic pilgrimage to Melbourne occurs every year during March for the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.
This “journey” is a world-class event, showcasing the rich tapestry of Melbourne’s culinary culture, and others who comprise Victoria’s fertile food and wine landscape. Just within Melbourne’s CBD there are over one hundred events, from celebratory lifestyle events to high-end gastronomy. This festival offers something for every budget. It celebrates life, a tantalising mix of fine food, wine, great conversation and camaraderie.
One would not survive if they indulged in all that was on offer. In total there are, on the roll call, two hundred and fifty events taking place across the city and state.
If you wish to dive head first into this diverse culinary event, Log onto the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival web page (www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au). The programme is usually published about two months prior to the event.
Unfortunately, this year our participation was limited to events over the last couple of days, the Gala Dinner, Master Class at the stately Langham Hotel, the Cellar Door at Southgate and we also managed to squeeze in some global flavours from some of the city’s eateries.
As in previous years we have gone to the Gala Dinner held on the last Saturday night of the event. The Festival Committee stylise the function area, and this year it was the Stars of Europe and themed “A Midsummer Night’s dream”.
It absolutely blows your mind to think how they transform the premises (Shed 4 Docklands - not your normal hospitality venue), into a magical, moonlit forest inhabited with whimsical characters, gossamer-winged dancers, enchanting and surprising music.
We were treated firstly to canapés on the pier overlooking the water, then lead into an evening entwined with theatrical escape and dishes prepared by European Michelin Star chefs - Dieter Muller, Luisa Valazza, Thierry Marx, Jean-Paul Jeunet and Alain Alders.
I did not mention, there are usually about nine hundred attendees, so just imagine having to physically transport every conceivable item to accommodate and satisfy the culinary army.
But satisfy they did, the innovative food prepared by the Stars of Europe chefs, wine from acclaimed Victorian boutique wineries, and the captivating entertainment.
It truly is an event not to be missed and I take my hat off to The Melbourne Food and Wine Committee for a truly unique experience.
Master Class at the stately Langham Hotel
The master classes give the opportunity to get up close and personal with Michelin star chefs, top Melbourne and regional Victorian chefs, and leading international and local wine makers.
We opted to do one of the Global Wine Experience Classes – “Shiraz –Old Roots and New Wines”.
We were privileged to taste and compare six regional Shiraz. This was done in a blind tasting format. We were guided by a panel of experts, winemakers, wine journalist and wine sommeliers. The guest winemaker was Michel Chapoutier, seventh generation of the Chapoutier Winery cultivating (Syrah - french name for Shiraz) in the Rhone Valley, France. Michel also has joint winery ventures with a couple of Australian vineyards. We were fortunate to have one of his premium Australian wines in the blind tasting.
We looked, sniffed, spat and then chatted about the different characteristics each wine displayed.
A wine region portrays defining characteristics. These characteristics can be from the terrior, winemakers influence, and the age of the vine. We were amazed how this same grape variety (shiraz) grown in different regions in one incidence can be elegant and refined, robust and tannic or have layer of spice with dark fruits.
We were made aware of these characteristics and then through analysis we had to identify each of the wines. I won’t tell you how many wines I got right, but even some of the experts failed to get all six correct.
The next part of the session involved tasting Old World Wines (this is term they use for European Wines). This was done so we could compare Old World Wine to New World Wine (Australian)
We tasted a selection of five imported Syrahs, one was from Hawkes Bay in New Zealand and the other four Syrahs were a selection from the M Chapoutier Winery.
There definitely was a difference, the Old World Wines were lower in Alcohol and had a noticeable savoury – earthy edge to the wines, but there still was that common characteristic thread of the Shiraz – Syrah, red fruits, hints of spice.
We thoroughly enjoyed our Master class and were privileged to taste these amazing wines.
Cellar Door at Southgate
The Cellar Door at Southgate on the southern banks of the Yarra River is idyllic. It is staged over the last Saturday and Sunday of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival and is a great opportunity to taste wines from over 60 Victorian boutique wineries, all in one place.
By attending the Southgate tasting there will be no arguing about who is going to drive, and think of the distance you don’t have to travel to discover these acclaimed wineries.
There are many wine regions in Victoria scattered all over the state, to name a few, Mildura and Rutherglen in the north Bendigo in Central Victoria and Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula in the south.
For the real wine enthusiasts, you can indulge yourself on both days, taste and dissect, the whites one day and then the red wines the next, or if you just want to have fun, simply cruise the promenade with glass in hand and taste what ever takes your fancy.
There are many food options, grab a tasting plate from many of the surrounding food stalls operated by the Southgate restaurants, or if you want a more leisurely dinning experience the restaurants provide set menu lunches for a very affordable price.
Entertainment is provided by buskers whether musical or magical - this can be heard and viewed from your seat while enjoying your lunch, or if you just want to step back and find a bench seat to enjoy the unpaid entertainment (people watching - the ones that are a bit socially enhanced).
We only had time for one day of indulgence which was the Saturday. What a glorious day, temperature of 31 degrees, allowing us to really work up a thirst. Melbournites love the opportunity to get out in the sun. The Southgate promenade was packed with wine aficionados cruising from one winery marquee to another, tasting the large array of white and red wine varieties on offer, Sparkling Pinot Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Riesling and some new grape varieties (Arneis, Albarino), Moscato, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Cabernet, Cabernet blends, Rose, Italian varieties such as Barbera, Sangiovese and Spanish varieties (Tempranillo).The Victorian wine regions are so diverse in terrior, allowing each winery from the different regions to have it’s own style and characteristics.
As the wine makers and winery representatives gladly pour their fruits of the vine, there is always a personable friendly response as they gladly share their passion and stories with those who are of a more concerning nature. It is possible for you to take home your favourite drop as the wineries provide the facility to purchase your favourite wine.
I must commend these durable people of the wine industry, as year in, year out, they stand patiently while attending to the hoards frantic demands for more wine.
All in all if you are a foodie or wine lover, the two weeks of The Melbourne Food and wine Festival are well worth a trip down south.
Lyn Rosewall
Coast Fine Wine Consultants
Noosa Heads
Bollinger was the first port of call on arrival at Fine Wine Partners Road Show held in Brisbane recently. My tasting companion for the day was having a birthday so this seemed to the best place to begin our sojourn with a toast to birthdays, health and happiness. We were not disappointed and could have
lingered between the Bollinger and sister Champagne House Ayala stands for the afternoon. Although it meant moving away from the Champagne, with over seventy stalls strutting their stuff a strategy was clearly needed. A plan was formulated and with a few bubbles under our belt we ventured into the fray but not before talking to the experts. Brand Ambassador for Bollinger Vianney Fabre who gave us some insights into their styles of champagne, Cuvee to the magic of vintage. Raymond Ringeval from Ayala talks about the sugarless champagne from Ayala as well as the non vintage Brut. 
