The Aussie Who Ate The Big Apple

On Sunday I got the rare opportunity to go and taste some incredible and unique wines from Australia. Through the very kind invite of Jeff Taylor [Head Sommelier at Eleven Madison Park] and hosted by the awesome Gordon & Lauren from Little Peacock Imports, I joined some incredible Sommeliers and wine connoisseurs, to taste over 46 wines.

In the words of Little Peacock: Our wines are real brands, made by Australians for Australians. They come from renowned Australian wineries in the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Central Victoria and the Barossa. The winemakers are experts, bequeathing to each wine its own interesting story

And a story they told…. I have never actually been to a wine tasting of this size before and so when my good friend Sabra [Assistant Beverage Director of Rouge Tomate] arrived at the gorgeous apt of Gordon & Lauren - I seriously asked her if I would be tasting all 46 of the wines. I mean, it may have been Sunday…. but I was ready. I am AUSTRALIAN after all.

Jokes aside, I learnt the tips of sniffing, swirling, tasting, swishing and then every two or three wines I would remember to spit into the bucket. It’s all fun and games when you are surrounded by amazing and passionate people and the wines are not just good - but outstanding.

Some of my favorites are above but there were many many more that I did not photograph - mainly because I was too busy drinking, talking, laughing, spitting, forgetting to spit and drinking too much - you get the picture.

Got to meet some amazing people who are working in the wine world - Carla Rzeszewski who is [Wine Director of The Spotted Pig, The Breslin, and The John Dory Oyster Bar] , Mark Lightfoot [Weygandt Selections], Erin Scala [Beverage Director at Public Restaurant] and Caleb Ganzer [Sommelier at DB Bistro Moderne] Some of my favorites of the night were: (in no particular order)

Luke Lambert 2010 Yarra Valley Syrah
Stella Bella Margaret River Chardonnay
HAPPS 2011 Semillion Sauvignon Blanc - Margaret River
Arlewood 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon - Margaret River
Riposte By Tim Knappstein- The Sabre 2009 Pinot Noir Adelaide Hills
Ashbrook Estate Verdelho 2011 Margaret River
OAKRIDGE Over the Shoulder - 2011 Yarra Valley Pinot Noir
KRINKLEWOOD Biodynamic Vineyard 2010 Chardonnay
Skuttlebutt Rose - Shiraz Merlot Sangiovese Margaret River 2012 
Ben Haines 2010 Single Vineyard Roussanne, Nagambie Lakes, Central Victoria
Ben Haines 2011 “Warramunda Vineyard” Marsanne, Coldstream, Yarra Valley

Thanks again to Gordon & Lauren from www.little-peacock.com and all the amazing wine makers. It made for a very happy Sunday! ;)