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Proudly brought to you by VISIT OUR SPONSORS
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Hunter Valley NEWS
AUGUST 2010
Guests will also have the opportunity to quiz Alvin on his time in the Masterchef kitchen and get some tips on creating the perfect dish, as well as finding out what he’s been up to since leaving the show, in an on stage Q& A session. Alvin will also participate in some of the fun master classes on the day. Rowena Hawkins, General Manager of Business Development, Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association says, “We are so excited that Alvin will be part of this year’s main event. Masterchef was hugely popular so we know that visitors to the event will love watching Alvin work his magic on stage as he creates some unique seafood delights that people will be able to try at home in their very own kitchen.” The Hunter Valley Semillon & Seafood Festival, running from October 8 to 10, 2010, is the most popular event on the Hunter Valley social calendar. This year’s celebrations will be more exciting than ever as the festival will undergo a major revamp with the announcement of a new format over the three days. The Main Event on October 9, usually hosted in April, has been moved to October to coincide with the launch of the 2010 Hunter Valley Semillons. At the main event, visitors will be some of the first in Australia to taste these new wines and mingle with some of the world’s most renowned winemakers who will give them the ‘low down’ on the vintage. This year’s festival will also see the introduction of the Hunter Valley Semillon and Seafood on site Restaurant and the ‘Oyster and Semillon Bar’, a perfect way to indulge in the best the Hunter Region can offer. Visitors will be able to sample some of the country’s best Semillon with the most delectable seafood in Australia. The all-day celebration will showcase over 150 Semillons. The interactive, fun and educational event will also include a series of masterclasses, activities and VIP experiences, such as ‘Hunter Valley Wine Show Trophy and Medal winning Semillon’ Masterclass with the Wineman Peter Bourne, and some of the region’s top winemakers; seafood talks; a ‘Museum to current release Semillon’ Masterclass; and a boutique Semillon maker’s marquee. And for those who love their ‘wine and food pairing’...and seeing their favourite winemakers sweat a little under pressure...last year’s highly successful ‘Winemaker’s Cook Off’ will be hosted once again, and the antics they get up to will be nothing short of entertaining. Here, local wine makers and chefs are paired up and a surprise bag of ingredients is unveiled. They are then put to the test as teams pitted against each other to see what they come up with, with the audience ultimately voting for their favourite dish! Set amongst the stunning vineyards and spring sunshine, there will be live music, local restaurants with their seafood specialties, seafood farmers offering platters of fresh crab, prawns, and juicy local oysters from Port Stephens, and Hunter Valley cheeses and olive oils available for tasting and purchase. Guests will be encouraged to bring their picnic rug, enjoy a glass of their favourite Semillon with friends and family, and relax on the lawn whilst soaking up the atmosphere. Entry to the event this year is free, and the key to enjoying wine on the day is a souvenir wine glass that can be purchased for $6.00. Semillons will be available to buy by the glass and for tasting, and wonderful offerings will be available from local restaurants and producers for set prices. Master classes and VIP experiences, the Seafood Cooking Demonstrations and tables at the onsite restaurant and Semillon and Oyster Bar can be booked in advance, and tickets are available on line. It is recommended to book experiences early to avoid disappointment. The event will be hosted from 11am to 4pm in the heart of the Hunter Valley Wine Country, in the grounds of Tyrrell’s Vineyard, Broke Road, Pokolbin. Weekend Events – From October 8 to 10, 2010 A series of over 20 experiences involving Semillon and Seafood, indulgent wine dinners, weekend packages, private tastings, masterclasses, special releases and much more will be on offer throughout the weekend long festival. AUGUST 2010THE GROWING TREND..ORGANIC & BIODYNAMIC WINES Considered to be one of the fastest growing trends in Australian wine, demand for Australian organic and biodynamic wine has continued to increase in 2010 despite the Australian wine industry experiencing one of the largest surpluses in history.As wine industry bodies declare the current crisis the worst in twenty years, many organic and biodynamic wine producers have reported record sales in the past year and have received international acclaim from the world’s top wine critics. Australia’s largest certified organic wine producer Tamburlaine, has seen a 70% increase this financial year in exports for its organic and biodynamic wine in both Australia and overseas. Production in 2010 was around 80,000 cases, 30% of which went to customers in 12 countries.“In Tamburlaine’s largest export markets, including Sweden, China and the USA, there has been strong sales growth and interest in our entire range of organic wines,” says Mark Davidson, chief winemaker and managing director at Tamburlaine. “It’s rewarding to see so many people appreciating wine that is made from organically-grown grapes. Organic viticulture means grapes are grown without the use of synthetic chemical fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides. As a consequence, our wine contains no residues of these synthetic products and represents the true flavours of where it is grown. “Before we fully converted our vineyards to organic growing, we tested and tasted the results. In all cases, we found our organic grapes produced brighter, more vibrant wines, which seemed to carry a little bit more flavour” Davidson said. Tamburlaine is the only certified organic producer in Australia to receive a five red-star rating for three years in a row by wine commentator James Halliday. The practice of biodynamics in viticulture (grape growing) - a form of organic farming using techniques to optimise natural systems, has also become popular in recent years in several growing regions, including France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany, Australia, Chile, South Africa, Canada, and the United States. In 2006, Macquariedale Estate was the first vineyard in the region to receive biodynamic certification. According to Ross McDonald of Macquariedale “The resulting produce grown naturally the way nature intended, regains its fullness of flavour, richness of colour and diversity of aromas. By practicing biodynamic viticulture, we secure a better and healthier future for our land, our plants, ourselves and our customers.” True to the growing trend – De Bortoli Wines vineyard in the Hunter Valley now also farms organically with the vineyard now certified in conversion. "Our new philosophy is driven by our desire to leave a legacy for future generations, an idea that has resonance for any family-owned company" – The De Bortoli Family. Both Macquariedale and Tamburlaine will be show-casing their wines at the Sydney Organic Expo from 20–22 August. JULY 2010
Organic? Biodynamic? What’s THE BUZZ? Organics/Biodynamics is a hot topic of conversation in the Australian wine community and indeed across agricultural communities in general—but what does it all mean? And more importantly—can you taste it? What is Organic? Organic wine is wine made from grapes grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, fungicides and artificial fertilisers on the farm and without unnatural wine additives which can end up in the wine as residues. For Mark Davidson of Tamburlaine Organic Wines, switching to organic was a logical progression from the eco-friendly viticulture practices he had always pursued. “In the winery it’s relatively easy to make our organic fruit into organic wine” Mark says. “Yeast ferments are much easier to achieve without the effects of agrichemical sprays used in non-organic vineyards. Natural fining agents like milk and egg are perfectly acceptable in organic wine production. And be not confused - sulphur dioxide is allowed in organic products. High sulphurs were once some level of insurance against random oxidation under cork seals but the movement to screw caps means lower sulphur additions & therefore reduced risk of health issues like allergies, headaches and asthma – if you tend to open young whites in particular, you should notice a positive difference”. Many people confuse "organic" with "preservative-free" wine. The former is always made with organic grapes using organic methods, whereas the latter has a radically reduced amount of sulphur dioxide, and is not always made with organically grown grapes.Biodynamic on the other hand is simply a form of organic farming using techniques to optimise natural systems. Biodynamic growers put a greater emphasis on the vines and since they believe that plants respond to all the various forces of nature they also time their activities with the cycles of the moon, planets and stars. In 2006 Macquariedale Estate was the first vineyard in the region to receive biodynamic certification. According to Ross McDonald of Macquariedale “The resulting produce, grown naturally the way nature intended, regains its fullness of flavour, richness of colour and diversity of aromas. By practicing biodynamic viticulture, we secure a better and healthier future for our land, our plants, ourselves and our customers.” With an increasing number of producers turning to organic farming, De Bortoli Wines, with its 34 hectare property, is the Hunter Valleys newest organic producer of fine table wines. So that’s the Buzz! Oh—and to answer the question of whether you can taste it or not—you’ll need to find that one out for yourself! JUNE 2010From Saturday 12 June to Monday 14 June, Hunter Valley Gardens will host the inaugural FlavourFest, to be held during the Hunter Valley Wine and Food Month. The three day culinary extravaganza will feature fine food, exquisite wine, cooking demonstrations and celebrity guest hosts including Peter Evans, Tobie Puttock and Janelle Bloom, along with inspiring music, flavours and sounds of the Hunter and beyond, all inside Australia’s largest and most spectacular display gardens. Kyle McKendry, General Manager says, “Hunter Valley Gardens is excited to announce the launch of FlavourFest this June long weekend. There will be plenty for the whole family to enjoy with interactive activities sure to make it a memorable long weekend for everyone.” Located in the Lakeside Amphitheatre, the Main Stage will feature a full programme throughout the three days of the festival, including celebrity guests such as Janelle Bloom (Ready Steady Cook), Toby Puttock (Jamies Kitchen) and Pete Evans (My Kitchen Rules) who will be joined by local chefs and industry experts to provide cooking demonstrations, and share their stories. In addition to celebrity chefs, cocktail flairing and mixology will be a highlight with the Australian Flair Masters. World champion bartenders from Goldfish Bar in Sydney and Twisted Liquid, plus many more will compete in the highly artistic world of cocktail mixing as they fight it out to win the Masters title. A Marketplace will showcase the very best fresh produce, gourmet foods, sweet delights and exotic flavours, and the region’s most acclaimed boutique wines and beers will be located next to Eat Street at the large Beer, Wine & Cocktail Hall. At Eat Street guests can go on a culinary adventure with a selection of foods including Thai, Japanese, Peruvian, Turkish, Italian and German and then sit, relax and enjoy Flavours of Music from around the world, with 45 minute performances throughout the day featuring Scottish, African, Jazz and more on the Concert Stage. The Seminar Stage will entertain all day long with interesting facts from the masters in cheese making and wine making. In addition, Hunter Valley Gardens horticultural staff will be displaying their very best fresh garden herbs and vegetables and will be available to give expert advice to those keen to start their own veggie patch at home.There will also be a range of fun and quirky entertainment with roaming musicians, clowns, and balloon art sure to keep both the young and young at heart smiling and entertained. For more info contact Hunter valley Gardens on 4998 4000
The brewing team at Hunter Beer Co., led by Head Brewer Keith Grice, are ecstatic with their recent win at the Australian International Beer Awards— the world’s second largest beer competition with over a thousand entries from 34 countries. Their Chocolate Porter was awarded a Gold medal and the prestigious Champion Porter trophy. The brewery also picked up 5 silvers and a bronze for their beers including the Kolsch, Bock, Pale and Lager. Keith says, “It was an amazing experience to receive this sort of recognition in one of the world’s premier beer events, but the thing I really like about the Porter is you don’t have to be a beer aficionado to enjoy it – it’s a very easy drinking, flavoursome beer.” Keith also praised the efforts of the rest of the brewery team, “We have a great little team – and a big hats off to Jess who not only brewed the Champion beer, but more importantly helps to create a fun workplace and that comes through in the beers we make.” The Hunter Chocolate Porter is an authentic version of the porter style; flavoursome with great complexity and perfect for drinking as the weather turns colder. Drop in and try a pint today! A Trio of Wine & Food Indulgences Throughout June the Mercure Resort Hunter Valley Gardens will host a trio of very special Wine & Food Month events. In Les Grand Vins Dinner on Friday 4th June, three renowned Executive Chef’s from three separate well established Accor properties have teamed up for this night of culinary delight. Each will present one dish for this three-course dinner, while the Hunter Valley Wine Society will match each course with the perfect wine. Every day throughout June visit the Mercure Resort library between 5pm and 6pm to take the Shiraz & Steak Matching Challenge. Match three premium cuts of beef with three premium Hunter Valley Wines. Free when dining at Hunter Valley Steakhouse, otherwise $15pp. The Fireside Indulgence and Ultimate Dining Experience will see you enjoying a private fireside dinner for 2 people. Contact the Mercure Resort Hunter Valley for details of all events on 4998 2000.
MAY 2010
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AUGUST 2010John Denver in Wine Country? You’d be forgiven for thinking this just might be the case as Graham Toole and his seven piece band perform the music of the legendary John Denver in a special tribute performance at the Cessnock Performing Arts Centre this August. Take a journey with Graham and discover the man behind such hits as Thank God I'm A Country Boy, Eagle and the Hawk, Sunshine, Country Roads, Leaving on a Jet Plane and Sweet Surrender. Australian born Graham Toole has had a lifelong love affair with music and the poetic lyrics of John Denver. His interpretation of John Denver's music is remarkable as he takes you on a captivating journey back into time with John's extraordinary songs. Throughout his life's journey, John challenged himself on every level, which was an integral part of what made him the extraordinary man and performer he became. Join us and share the emotion of John Denver's amazing story through song. For tickets contact the Performing Arts Centre on 4990-7134. AUGUST 2010Stars Align for Bimbadgen Estate Last week was a stellar one for Bimbadgen Estate, with the appointment of Hunter Valley Wine Industry and Legends Awards 2009 “Rising Star Winemaker” Sarah Crowe, to the position of Senior Winemaker, Bimbadgen Estate. Sarah joins the team at the Pokolbin based winery in early September. Additionally, in the 2011 publication of “James Halliday Australian Wine Companion”, which was released earlier the same week, Bimbadgen Estate regained a 5 star winery status and was listed as one of the “Best wineries of the Regions”. Bimbadgen General Manager Rebecca Poynter comments “As a wine business we are focused on the consistent improvement of our wine quality and the appointment of a winemaker as talented as Sarah Crowe represents this commitment. In addition this years rating in “The Wine Companion” says we are on the right track, especially given that wines across several of our ranges and in price points from $23 to $75 achieved very credible scores from Halliday.” James Haliday’s Wine Companion is regarded by most in the wine industry as the definitive guide to Australian wine, as it contains tasting notes for 3,888 wines and winery profiles for over 1,400 wineries across the 62 wine regions in Australia. To achieve their 5 star status, eight Bimbadgen wines were given a rating of 90 points or over in this edition. Earlier this year Bimbadgen Estate appointed highly respected winemaker Mike DeGaris as Consultant to the winery. DeGaris will continue in this role along with another exceptional Australian winemaker Kym Milne, Master of Wine, who assists as a style and blending consultant to the winery. Both bring winemaking experience across 4 continents to the business, along with senior wine judging expertise in a range of national and international wine shows. As well as her “Rising Star” award, new Senior Winemaker Sarah Crowe is also an experienced wine judge and currently part of the Future Leaders in wine program. Sarah has spent nearly a decade in wineries in the Hunter Valley, including the position as Assistant Winemaker at the acclaimed Brokenwood winery, as well as vintages offshore in Oregon, USA and the Rhone Valley, France. |
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di@thehunterblackboard.com |
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