The very popular Wayne Dutschke has been named “Barossa Valley Winemaker of the Year” for 2010 by the distinguished Barons of the Barossa fraternity. The Baron’s Grand Master, Stephen Henschke, said that Wayne’s selection was due to his status as one of the Barossa’s quiet achievers who produced great wines under the Dutschke label whilst promoting the region in his travels. “Wayne is great winemaker and a great guy,” Henschke remarked. Read the article.
Congratulations go to Kate Nicholson, of Buderim, Queensland, who won a free night at Novotel Twin Waters and dinner at Lily’s on the Lagoon – a package valued at $500. Kate’s name was drawn from the hundreds of people who attended the Sunshine Coast Food Show. Here’s cheers!
It’s not all about wine at Brisbane’s Bar Barossa! From the 24th of February the venue will now play host to the Queensland Malt Whisky Society’s monthly meetings.
In today’s Courier Mail, Queensland Food Editor Natascha Mirosch spoke to club gauger Keira McIntosh about the parallels between wine and whisky and the increasingly younger audience who are seeking to explore the spirit in greater depth. “Whisky has as big a story about terroir as wine. There’s a huge number of variables, from where the grain used came from to the water used and how it was casked.”
The group will meet at Bar Barossa on the last Wednesday of every month. For further details phone 3300 1108. – Jeremy Pringle
More than 200 wine enthusiasts turned their palates purple last night, discovering dozens of new wines and beers from 17 boutique wineries and craft brewers at the Paint the Town Purple event in Brisbane.
Former Brisbane Bullets basketball coach Brian Kerle was among the wine savvy audience, which included high-flying City business men and women, lawyers and media identities.
Some of the winemakers, including veteran Marlborough identity Allan Scott, of Allan Scott wines, and Margaret River’s Ron Fraser, from the critically acclaimed Chapman Grove, got into the spirit of the sold-out event by donning purple wigs.
Brisbane wine lover Kate Burrows went home a winner, picking up a private Grange tasting worth $900 for 15 of her friends in the special prize draw.
The next event in the Paint the Town Purple series will be held in May. – John Lehmann
Introducing our new central phone number for all things purple. Our automated service will direct you to Purple Palate Queen Street, Purple Palate Maleny, Bar Barossa, Accounts and Purple Palate online. 1300 1GRAPE – 1300 147273
Results from the prestigious 2010 Royal Sydney Wine Show were announced recently and once again the Barossa region was recognised with a swag of medals and trophies. Yalumba led the charge with two trophies and two top golds, including “The Jones, Steains and Waller Perpetual Trophy” which recognises strength and depth across the portfolio. The Yalumba Hand Picked Shiraz Viognier 2008 continued the winery’s long history of leadership in the development of Shiraz Viognier blends within Australia.
Peter Lehmann Wines also garnered their fair share of acclaim, with particular recognition given to the trophy winning Wigan Eden Valley Riesling 2006. While its release will be a way off yet, the current 2004 vintage of the wine has received excellent reviews, amongst them a 95 point rating from wine writer Tyson Stelzer!
Purple Palate stock a wide range of Yalumba and Peter Lehmann wines and are more than happy to order anything in if it’s not in store already. – Jeremy Pringle
Wine and food enthusiasts are looking forward to the inaugural Sunshine Coast Food Show next weekend (February 20-21) at Novotel Twin Waters Resort.
The weekend features celebrity chef George Calombaris, of Melbourne’s acclaimed The Press Club Restaurant, who will craft a six-course degustation dinner on Saturday night, matched to wines from leading Australia and New Zealand wineries including Allan Scott Wines, Balgownie, Chapman Grove, Leabrook Estate, Massena, Mojo and Wyndham Estate.
More than 1000 people are expected to flock to the event on the Sunday to explore more than 50 food and wine stands. Amazing wines and selected produce will be available for purchase.
Tickets are going for $195 for the Saturday night gala dinner and $49 for the Sunday afternoon food and wine tasting. Bookings can be made at h1644@accor.com or by phoning 1800 072 277.
You don’t feel like you look any differently but alas a Purple ‘do’ is sure to turn heads!
I had a bit of fun dressing up in all things purple to promote our upcoming Paint the Town Purple event which will be held next Thursday at the Marriott Hotel.
The photo will appear in MX as a pictorial either Wednesday or Thursday so make sure you look out for it! - Elyssia Nelson
Courier Mail assistant editor and long time Queensland wine advocate Des Houghton recently attended a mass blind-tasting of the State’s wines at Parliament House. In his weekly newspaper column (February 6-7), Houghton revealed the winners as chosen by a panel chaired by Andrew Corrigan MW and comprised of professional and amateur judges, including three members of Parliament and the column’s author himself.
Renowned Queensland producer Robert Channon took out the title for best white wine with their 2009 Verdelho, which narrowly beat the winery’s 2009 Pinot Gris and Ballandean Estate’s 2009 Reserve Viognier. The battle for best red provided a more difficult assignment for the judges, with several wines mounting a case for top honours. Reds from Hidden Creek, Ballandean, Sirromet and Golden Grove all made the short list but the award was eventually given to the Witches Falls 2007 Syrah.
Purple Palate is proud to support the Queensland wine industry, stocking the full range of Robert Channon wines as well as selections from Ballandean Estate, Ravenscroft and Summit Estate amongst others. Next time you drop in, why not give some thought to trying a local wine? – Jeremy Pringle
20 special guests including famous Australian Cricketers Matthew Hayden and Michael Kasprowicz gathered for a uniquely Barossan lunch at Bar Barossa. Read more