Today, I was lucky enough to be treated to the Taste of Sydney Festival, by a very generous friend. Held in Centennial Park, it is described as Sydney’s Ultimate Restaurant Festival, with a good smattering of Sydney restaurants serving up top fare. Interstate and international producers are also showcased.
I started my culinary journey with a dish from Flying Fish (a restaurant that I am yet to dine at but is on my list): Black pepper and curry leaf prawn skewers with lime and fresh coconut. The flavours were strong but not overpowering and went very well with my sample size Cotton Duck Ale, which was rather floral and aromatic, perfect to pair with this spicy cuisine.
For my “main”, which followed on rather fluently from the zing of the previous dish was an Acquarello risotto of beetroot and gorgonzola from Ormeggio at the Spit. It was absolutely delicious. Beetroot is one of my newfound loves. I cannot believe I relegated it to “a burger accompaniment that stains”, for so long. The earthiness of the beetroot was picked up and slapped around by the always raucous gorgonzola. A lively couple, and welcome to strut across my tastebuds anytime. This dish was paired with an Aperol spritzer from Otto Bar, which was made up of Aperol and prosecco topped with soda. A little strong for so early in the day. Two sips and “Hello, I’m drunk”, but in terms of balancing the food, it cut through the thicket of flavour with ease.
Now that I had lined my stomach with a little food, and a little alcohol, it was time to hit the wine tasting! With a wonderful panel of experts including the head Sommelier of Glass at the Hilton, Kim Bickley and Judy Sarris, the editor of Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine (best wine mag there is), the tasting showcased four great Australian wines. I had a chat with both these women after the tasting and it is so great to see women in such prominent positions in the world of wine.
To my delight, the panel and host made light of the huge Marlborough Sauv Blanc phase that has been engulfing the quaffers of this country for some years now. I am personally not a fan of Sauv Blanc, and it was so nice to hear them sing the praises of a fine Chardonnay. Chardonnay is far more complex and interesting and is making a comeback. It was never out in my books. We tasted the 2009 Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay, which was toasty and subtle, inviting and smooth. The 2010 Capel Vale Single Vineyard Series Whispering Hill Riesling was bright and fragrant with a fresh lime acidity and loads of elegance. Perfect for a dozen natural oysters. The 2008 Wither Hills Pinot Noir reminded me of why I love Pinot. I love it as it’s so easy to drink! I fell in love with Pinot in 2008 on my trip to Auckland, but of late have been drinking more shiraz, as it seems to shout at me and grab my attention from the shelf. If I was to give Pinot Noir a gender and a personality, I would say it was a softly spoken but intelligent gentleman; sensitive yet strong. Packed with cherry and seductive whispers, this drop went down a treat. Think brie and mild goat’s cheese. To finish, the 2009 Tyrrell’s Wines Old Patch Shiraz was tried. Boom! Made from 120 year old vines, this wine is a ruggedly handsome man; an outdoors type whose brute strength is only second to his winning smile! This shiraz, as all good shiraz is (and the Hunter does this with particular flair) bold, deep and utterly satisfying. Ideal companion wine to curling up by a fire with a big bowl of penne pesto with roast pumpkin.
For those of you that are regular readers of my blog, you know that I love a good dessert. I love even more an amazing dessert, and this dessert from Etch Dining was certainly amazing: Caramel date tart, Earl Grey syrup and vanilla Chantilly. The tart was silky and thick and the sweetness of the caramel was matched well with the zesty bergamot of the Earl Grey, rounded out by the richness and wholesomeness of the vanilla Chantilly. I wish I was eating this now.
And how should any good three course meal finish up? With whisky, of course! Scotch and I are rather good friends, and I feel he has a lot to teach me. Of the Johnnie Walker rainbow, I had only ever bought the Green (JW Green is my mixing whisky). In the JW journey, I sampled the Black, Green and Gold. Black: Not a fan! I found it to be horrible with all the finesse and poise of paint stipper… And to think, the JW Red is a level below the Black. Shudder. The Green opens right up and is very drinkable, showing a wisdom and depth that only comes with age. The Gold Special Reserve: Yes. Oh yes. Delicious. Syrupy, cavernous, caressing. I knew I had to buy a bottle. It now sits next to the Green I already had at home. Green and Gold, how patriotic of me!
To end the day on a high, I purchased a sample of the ever elusive Blue (elusive as it eludes my price range). Just sublime. Worth every cent of its $250 price tag. It is simply incredible. The velvety fingers slide down your throat with sheer ease and grace and upon swallowing, her depths open up and leave you feeling lost in a ravine of flavour and nuance.
A thoroughly enjoyable day to say the least and I would certainly recommend the 2012 Taste of Sydney to all you folks out yonder in cyberland . Finally, a trip to any sort of Festival would not be complete without a decent melange of goody-bags and take home yummies. I look forward to eating my way through the Gywdir Grove olives and olive oil I bought, and breakfasting on my Farmer Jo Muesli. It’s a cinnamon muesli… Cinnamon!
