The Australia Times

WINEMAKERS OF RUTHERGLEN HIT THE ROAD FOR TASTES OF TWO REGIONS IN CANBERRA

18 September 202220 July 2018 by Connie Lambeth

Winemakers of Rutherglen – Tastes of Two Regions in Canberra

The Winemakers of Rutherglen will be hitting the road in August to showcase the region’s fine wine and produce at Tastes of Two Regions on Sunday 12 August 2018 at Pialligo Estate in Canberra.

Taste of Two Regions sees North East Victoria’s Rutherglen and King Valley regions join forces for a one-day wine tasting event. Over the course of the day, wine lovers will be able to meet the winemakers, take their pick from more than 200 wines, and sample delicacies from 25 regional artisan producers.

Guests attend a dedicated session time (10am-1pm or 2pm-5pm) to ensure they get the best one-on-one time with their favourite wineries and producers. Outside of the wine tasting session times there is plenty more on offer including live music, masterclasses, warming winter food, and artisan coffee.

Participating food producers include:

Boosey Creek Cheese – cheeses from one of Australia’s highest-awarded farmhouses
The Wicked Virgin Olives – fresh olives, olive oil and olive oil products
Walkabout Apiaries – cold-extracted honey and honey products
Milawa Cheese Co. – handmade cheeses from Victoria’s High Country

Festival attendees will also be able to sit down to dinner with the Winemakers of Rutherglen at an event on Saturday 11 August at the Boathouse Restaurant. The five-course degustation dinner, “Celebrating Craft: A dinner date with Rutherglen Winemakers,” will celebrate the curious and unique craft of winemaking and provide guests with a night of fine wine appreciation and perfectly matched local produce.

Tastes of Two Regions general admission tickets are available online now for $35 or can be purchased on the day for $40. Tickets to the Winemakers of Rutherglen degustation dinner are available online for $150 per person.

All tickets can be purchased at: www.tastesoftworegions.com.au.

TASTES OF TWO REGIONS 2018
Dates: Festival: Sunday 12 August | Degustation: Saturday 11 August 2018
Times: Festival: 10am-5pm with two sessions (10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm)

Degustation: 6:30pm-10pm
Tickets: Festival: $35 pre-purchased or $40 at the door | Degustation: $150 per person

Purchase tickets: www.tastesoftworegions.com.au

**Information and Images Courtesy of The Winemakers of Rutherglen/Supplied by LittleBIG Marketing – Jarryd Pentony

Connie Lambeth

The Australia Times News

Editor GOURMET – Food/Wine/Events

theaustraliatimes.com/news

literallyconnie@bigpond.com

connie.lambeth@theaustraliatimes.com.au

READ ON FOR INFO ABOUT THE WINEMAKERS OF RUTHERGLEN

WHAT’S NEW IN 2018 FOR THE RUTHERGLEN WINE REGION

27 October 202213 April 2018 by Connie Lambeth

Winemakers of Rutherglen Situated in Victorian Murray River country and protected by the Great Dividing Range, Rutherglen is a picturesque, easy three-hour drive from Melbourne, four-hour drive from Canberra or six-hour drive from Sydney; but is also easily accessible by air from Albury airport. The region offers visitors an effortlessly authentic wine experience and a … Read more

TASTES OF RUTHERGLEN RETURNS IN 2018

21 November 202210 December 2017 by Connie Lambeth

Tastes of Rutherglen Returns in March to Showcase Region’s Best Tastes of Rutherglen will return on 10 and 11 March 2018 to showcase the best of North-East Victoria’s celebrated wine and produce. The 2018 programme is set to be the biggest and best on record with a stellar line-up of activities and menus for the … Read more

Keti Shines a Light on Durif and Muscat from the Winemakers of Rutherglen

12 September 202231 August 2017 by Connie Lambeth

Durif and Muscat – Winemakers of Rutherglen

**Last week Keti Kezunovic headed to ‘Rutherglen in the City’ to taste and learn more about the iconic Rutherglen wine region’s unique wine varietals. As co-owner of the Melbourne Bars Pawn and Co., 29th Apartment and the soon to be opened StoryVille, Keti knows a thing or two about wine, and couldn’t wait to meet a few of the winemakers and discover more about Durif and Muscat.

Words & Photos by Keti Kezunovic – Caption Image by Georgie James

‘Rutherglen in the City’ showcased sparkling reds, primarily Shiraz and Durif, as well as a range of alternative whites. We were keen to discover more about Durif and Muscat, which seem to be the champion wines of the Rutherglen region, which provides the perfect environment for these particular grape varieties, primarily as a result of the long Autumn allowing a prolonged ripening process.

Muscat

Chris Pfeiffer, winemaker and owner of Pfeiffer Wines (pfeifferwinesrutherglen.com.au), considers this variety as ‘Australia’s most unique contribution to wine’, adding:

“No other region in Australia has Muscat’s at this champion level”.

History is the key for this variety, as the minimum cellaring is 6-10 years ageing, through to over 100 years. Such long cellared batches are basically for the next generation to nurture and continue the process. The flavour profile consists mainly of a pronounced raisin taste, and is very sweet on the palate. The older the muscat, the more complex the flavour profile, where notes of toffee emerge.

Paul Squires from Buller Wines (bullerwines.com.au), had a tip for an unbeatable dessert, suggesting to pour muscat over vanilla bean ice-cream. Interestingly, Pfeiffer had a more eclectic suggestion of pairing this wine with a tomato based carpaccio. Now there’s two hot tips from for the kitchens of the winemakers!

Durif

Warrabilla Wines (warrabillawines.com.au), chief winemaker, Andrew Sutherland Smith, calls his 2014 Reserve Durif , ‘The Mother of all Durifs”. At a whopping 16.5% alcohol, it certainly is!

Although this wine is strong and rich on the palate, with big bold flavours, the grapes are very thin skinned, making this variety difficult to grow. Great skill and precision is needed to ensure that this variety of red wine grapes make it to harvest time. Smith is a fifth generation winemaker, so has a substantial degree of experience to draw on.

Durif is tipped to be the new upcoming variety, with other Australian regions starting to release their own versions. However the Durif growers from Rutherglen seemed to have really cornered the market on this particular variety.

**At the recent ‘Rutherglen in the City’, Melburnians showed great interest in both Durif and Muscat – two distinct varietals that flourish in the Rutherglen soils and represent both the region’s tradition and innovation. Revered world-wide for its fortified wines, the Winemakers of Rutherglen are trying new ways with Muscat, with a range of Muscat cocktails on offer…think Muscat Coolers, Muscat Sangria and Muscat Espresso Martinis.

The Winemakers of Rutherglen are an inspiring collective of 19 wineries from one of Australia’s most historic and iconic wine regions, boasting more than 150 years of winemaking history.

Check out more online or head to the cellar door this weekend!

Instagram & Facebook: @winerutherglen

www.winemakers.com.au

Additional Information & Images Courtesy of Winemakers of Rutherglen/Jarryd Pentony – Little Big MarketingPR/Photographer Georgie James

Connie Lambeth – The Australia Times Gourmet News – Food/Wine/Hospitality/Events

Follow us on Instagram: @tatgourmetmag

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Keti Kezunovic:

29th Apartment – www.29thapartment.com.au

https://www.facebook.com/29thapartment/

@29thapartment

Pawn and Co. – pawnandco.com.au

https://www.facebook.com/PawnAndCo/

@pawnandco

**Keti’s last collaboration with TAT Gourmet News:

Gourmand’s Celebrate Williamstown’s Wine and Cheese Festival

www.theaustraliatimes.com/magazine/gourmet/issue/411/#46

Additional pics…

19 WINERIES LAND IN MELBOURNE LANEWAY!

13 September 202229 August 2017 by Connie Lambeth

Winemakers of Rutherglen

Words by Celeste Iuliano

**Melbourne Events writer, Celeste Iuliano, hit the laneways of Melbourne a few days ago, to sample wines of the Rutherglen region at the launch of ‘Rutherglen in the City’.

What could be more Melbourne (and more Rutherglen too, we soon discover!), than a boozy picnic under the temperamental night sky?

Last weekend, 25th to 27th August, our cosmopolitan city was offered a taste of the country, with a pop-up wine bar in The Strand Melbourne’s Driver Lane. ‘Rutherglen in the City’ was brought to you by the Winemakers of Rutherglen, an association of 19 wineries with more than 150 years of heritage.

Younger Melburnians may associate Rutherglen with childhood trips; those happy weekends spent eating Dutch pancakes while mum and dad indulged in a few glasses of wine. However this image of Rutherglen as a very traditional wine region is rapidly changing. Rutherglen is now attracting a more diverse crowd, with its bold and iconic wine varieties. The region is known for it’s durif reds, sparkling reds, alternative whites, and muscats, all of which were sampled over the 3 day event. For those feeling a little experimental, the cocktails were the thing to try – the Muscat Cooler, Muscat Sangria, and the Muscat Espresso Martini.

‘Rutherglen in the City’ was a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the region’s culture of good wine and warm hospitality. The winemakers were there to take you through the tastings and to share their stories. Some of them have up to 5 generations experience, so there was a lot to learn!

If you managed to sample this small slice of paradise in the city, no doubt you’ll be planning your trip to the cellar door soon!

Instagram & Facebook: @winerutherglen

www.winemakers.com.au

The Winemakers of Rutherglen

Images Courtesy of Thomas Bindley & Winemakers of Rutherglen/Jarryd Pentony – Little Big MarketingPR

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Connie Lambeth – The Australia Times Gourmet News – Food/Wine/Hospitality/Events

E: literallyconnie@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram: @tatgourmet

Read on for additional info and pics…

Melbourne Foodies Keep Sunday 19th November Free for the East Malvern Food and Wine Festival!

13 September 202210 August 2017 by Connie Lambeth

Mark your diaries because the 2^nd annual East Malvern Food & Wine Festival returns to East Malvern’s picturesque Central Park on Sunday 19 November 2017, from 10:30am to 5:30pm!

Last year more than 3000 Melbourne foodies and wine lovers came together for an amazing day in the park, sipping and savouring over 100 wines and an extensive array of cuisines from specially invited local and regional culinary exhibitors and artisan producers.

East Malvern Food & Wine Festival in Central Park. Photos by Fiora Sacco copyright reserved 2016

This year will showcase a vast range of exquisite wineries from more than 15 Bendigo and Heathcote regions including Balgownie Estate, Tellurian Wines and Farmer and the Scientist. There will also be a new local craft beer and cider producer alley featuring Two Birds Brewing, Barrow Boys Brewing, Bad Shepherd Brewing Co and Captain Vanzibar. So come and enjoy a unique and intimate experience, meet the passionate winemakers and brewers and learn about, taste and purchase their premium award-winning wines and ales.

Feast on local Melbourne favourite food trucks and pop-up restaurant stalls including Richmond Oysters & Seafood Tapas, Riserva, Nepal Dining and That’s Amore Cheeses, and bring your shopping baskets and stock up on the best of Victorian produce, including locally produced cheeses, gourmet condiments, bespoke Christmas puddings and other festive season fare from artisanal producers such as NOGO Sauces, Tolpuddle Goat Cheese and Farm Foods, Josh and Sue, and many more.

We also have a full day of family and children’s entertainment planned, including roving entertainers, live music performances and magician master classes.

Don’t forget to bring your fur kids too and treat them to gourmet doggie morsels from the Canine Wellness Truck.

Entry is FREE and wine tasting glasses and ticket packages are available starting at $20, including a souvenir wine glass and tasting tickets.

EVENT DETAILS

When: Sunday 19 November 2017, 10:30am – 5:30pm

What: East Malvern Wine and Food Festival

Where: Central Park, Corner of Wattle Tree and Burke Roads, East Malvern

More information: www.eastmalvernfoodandwine.melbourne

Social Media:

www.facebook.com/eastmalvernfoodandwine

>#EMFWfestival

@eastmalvernfoodandwine

Information & Images Courtesy of East Malvern Food and Wine Festival/Matt Fraser – Cardinal Spin

Connie Lambeth – The Australia Times Gourmet News – Food/Wine/Hospitality/Events

Follow us on Instagram: @tatgourmetmag

Read on for Additional Information & Pics…

Winemakers of Rutherglen to Bring Pop-Up Wine Bar to Melbourne City Laneway

13 September 20227 August 2017 by Connie Lambeth

The Winemakers of Rutherglen will bring a pop-up wine bar to a Melbourne CBD laneway from Friday 25 August 2017 to Sunday 27 August 2017 for a one-time-only, three-day wine event: Rutherglen in the City.

Rutherglen in the City will bring the essence and wines of the iconic Rutherglen wine region to The Strand Melbourne’s Driver Lane and provide Melburnians with the opportunity to taste and learn more about the region’s unique wine varietals and its winemakers.

Capturing the true Rutherglen feeling, Driver Lane will be transformed into a winter wine bar right in the heart of the city with fairy lights, wine barrels, Australian foliage, communal furniture, acoustic tunes and a mock cellar door.

Melbourne wine enthusiasts will have the chance to meet and chat with the winemakers face-to-face; sample a selection of wines, before indulging in some of the region’s best offerings.

Melburnians will discover Durif and Muscat – two distinct varietals that flourish in the Rutherglen soils and represent both the region’s tradition and innovation. Revered world-wide for its fortified wines, the Winemakers of Rutherglen are trying new ways with Muscat with a range of Muscat cocktails on offer, think Muscat Coolers, Muscat Sangria and Muscat Espresso Martinis.

The Winemakers of Rutherglen are an inspiring collective of 19 wineries from one of Australia’s most historic and iconic wine regions, boasting more than 150 years of winemaking history.

Fast Facts

When: Friday 25 August 2017 – Sunday 27 August 2017

Time: Friday: 5pm-10pm; Saturday: 12pm-11pm; Sunday: 12pm-6pm

Where: Driver Lane, The Strand Melbourne

Cost: Free entry and complimentary cellar door tastings, food and wine at bar prices

For more info or to share the love, visit:

Instagram & Facebook: @winerutherglen

www.winemakers.com.au

Information & Images Courtesy of Winemakers of Rutherglen, Georgie James Photography/Jarryd Pentony – Little Big Marketing PR

Connie Lambeth – The Australia Times Gourmet News – Food/Wine/Hospitality/Events

Follow us on Instagram: @tatgourmetmag

Read on for more Information & Pics from The Winemakers of Rutherglen…

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