The Grapevine is The Wine Guild of Australia, QLD's Quarterly Publication. The current Grapevine is published here on the website and emailed to all members on a Quarterly Basis. The rich archive of past editions of The Grapevine are available in our Grapevine Archive - CLICK HERE.

THE GRAPEVINE - February - March 2011

This first edition of the new electronic format of The Grapevine will review some of the recent past functions and club nights of the Wine Guild of Australia, QLD. It will also feature some up and coming wine related events in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

In this issue, the editor is featuring a collection of the some of the newest wine related websites. If you know of any good wine related websites that we haven't featured in The Grapevine or the WGA links page - let the editor know so we can share the links with other members.

SOUTH AMERICAN DINNER

Date: Wednesday, 10th November 2010 at 6.30pm.
Venue: Upstairs Black Pearl 36 Baxter St. Fortitude Valley

Our members and guests experienced a masterclass style tasting of selected Argentinean and Chilean wines with a delicious 5 course Aztec & Inca inspired gourmet dinner.  Twelves wines were served (see list detailing the wines).
 
Many of the wines originated from Mendoza, Argentina, an area where wine has been produced for approximately 450 years.  We featured 3 Malbec or Malbec blends, which is the premier varietal produced in Argentina.  We also featured 5 Jed Wines from Mendoza, including an Italian style Pinot Grigio.  The Jed winemaking team consists of 3 young Australian winemakers who teamed up as oenology students in Margaret River.

For further information about Jed Wines see their website www.jedwines.com
 

• The gastronomic tour of South America consisted of:
  
• Merguez sausages served with a piquant chilli tomato sauce
• Cerviche (lemon and lime cured Red Snapper) served over a quarter iceberg lettuce (Peruvian)
• Slow roasted Spatchcock served with chat potatoes, green beans and an Inca chocolate sauce
• Individual cheese platters featuring King Island Double Brie, King Island Roaring 40’s Blue Cheese and quince paste
• Mexican chocolate pudding with a soft centre and hint of chilli served with a Kahlua sauce

Thanks to Lee Booker, Bruce Humphery –Smith and Sandra Deane.

Cider Tasting & Gourmet Round-House Dinner

Date: Tuesday, 23th November 2010 at 6.30pm.
Venue: Upstairs Black Pearl 36 Baxter St. Fortitude Valley

Our members and guests experienced a structured tasting of ciders of the World (including ciders from New Zealand, UK, Ireland, Sweden and France as well as Australia) with accompanying Gourmet foods. 

Sixteen ciders (including apple and pear; sparkling and still; cloudy and clear) and two meads were served (see list detailing the ciders and meads).

• The Round- House Dinner consisted of:
  
• Basil & Cashew Pesto and Red Pepper & Cashew dips
• Bruschetta with tomato, red onion and olive oil
• Booker’s Grandma’s bacon and corn fritters
• Homemade pork pies served with hot English mustard and pickled onions
• Sausages – pork & sage, chicken & pinenut, basil & chilli
• Mersey Valley Cheddar blended with pickled onion and Clawson Stilton both served with wheat biscuits
• Peking Duck Pancakes and Roast Port Baguettes

Particular thanks to Lee Booker and Bruce Humphery –Smith.  Surprisingly (?) no one took up the offer to attend in fancy dress! There are some great photos of the night in our Gallery. Check them out - HERE.

CLUB NIGHT REVIEWS
Last years Club night tasting notes are available on the website. The new tasting notes published are from the following nights:

Big Reds with Comfort Food - View tasting notes
Wines from the Clare Valley - View tasting notes
Non Australian Whites and Light Reds - View tasting notes
 

INTERESTING NEW WINE WEBSITES
New websites are cropping up all the time to cater for the growing interest in fine wines and good food in Australia. Here are some of the best that we have discovered lately:

The Wine Companion - James Halliday's Wine Website - http://www.winecompanion.com.au

This website features some great 'Best of' lists for wine - http://www.winecompanion.com.au/page/2/Best+of+the+best. We also like the Wine and Winery seach feature on this website.

A Nice Drop - Guide to Australian Wine and Wineries - http://www.anicedrop.com/

This website has the ambitious goal of building a directory of every winery in Australia. Winery owners can register their Winery for free - for those lucky members who have them - why not list yours.

Quaff - All about the best for a bargain - http://www.quaff.com.au/

This interesting website is maintained by Peter Forrestal, a wine columnist for the Sunday Times Magazine and regular contributor to Gourmet Traveller. It features a 'Wine of the Week' review.

Wine Diva -An Australian Directory of Wine, Wine Travel and Wine Education -  http://www.winediva.com.au

This website is a fantastic resource for anyone planning their next holiday.

UP AND COMING AUSTRALIAN WINE EVENTS

It is a rather quiet time of the year after Xmas and New Year festivities. There doesn't appear to be any big events coming up soon in Brisbane. But here are some things to look forward to and note on your calendar for 2011 that will be of interest to wine and food lovers. Any member who know about good wine and food events in Brisbane, please send to the Grapevine editor.

1st May - The Caxton Street Seafood and Wine Festival - www.caxtonstseafoodandwinefestival.com

13th May - The Audi Noosa Food and Wine Festival - www.celebrationofaustralianfoodandwine.com.au

Nov - The Good Food and Wine Festival - www.goodfoodshow.com.au