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Ultimo Wine Centre French Wine Fair: Tour de France with Wine and Tasmanian Truffles

In celebration of Bastille Day, the Ultimo Wine Centre held a French Wine Fair showcasing over 30 wines from various regions around the country, turning the occasion into a veritable Tour de France.

Ultimo Wine Centre French Wine Fair
Simon of Ultimo Wine Centre

With classic songs of Charles Aznavour and other French tunes streaming through the speakers, the ambience was buzzy with the hubbub of wine connoisseurs, enthusiasts and the occasional melody of a French accent.

Three tasting stations were set up on the premises, one presenting a range of whites, another from the upper and lower Rhône regions and a third with red wines.

Ultimo Wine Centre French Wine Fair
Station 1 – vins blancs

Ultimo Wine Centre French Wine Fair

Ultimo Wine Centre French Wine Fair

Station 1 offered 11 white wines on tasting. Some notables include Kientzler Riesling Cuvée Francois Alphonse 2004 from Moselle, Domaine de la Louvetrie Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie, Maitre Renard Bourgogne Blanc 2009 and Dard & Ribo Hermitage Blanc 2009 as well as a 2004 Sauternes from Le Dauphin de Guiraud.

Le Tour de France continued with Station 2 offering tastings from the northern and southern Rhône region.

Ultimo Wine Centre French Wine Fair
Station 2 – vins du Rhône

Cave de Clairmont Crozes-Hermitage Classique de Clairmont 2008, Domaine de Font-Sane Côtes du Ventoux Vieilles Vignes 2009 and Domaine de Font-Sane Gigondas Tradition 2009 were among the favrourites. It was interesting to learn that the Côtes du Rhône from Cairanne has recently been promoted to a cru with its own Appellation d’Origine Controlée.

Ultimo Wine Centre French Wine Fair

Ultimo Wine Centre French Wine Fair

Approaching Station 3 at the rear of the shop, the heady aroma of fresh Tasmanian truffles permeated the air. With a good range of reds on taste, Le Chat Noir Pinot Noir 2009 and Chateau L’Eglise Bordeaux Rouge 2006 offered good value.

Ultimo Wine Centre French Wine Fair
Station 3 – vins rouges

The more notable drops include Maitre Renard Bourgogne Rouge 2009 and a stunning Dard & Ribo Hermitage Rouge 2009, a stunning wine to drink now let alone when cellared.

Ultimo Wine Centre French Wine Fair
Truffles from Tasmania on tasting

Tasmanian Truffles were presented by “Mr Truffle”, Duncan Garvey of Périgord Truffles from Tasmania, an Australian grown tuber that we have previously reviewed.

Ultimo Wine Centre French Wine Fair

Slices of truffles were served on bread with melted butter – simple but ever so decadent.

Ultimo Wine Centre French Wine Fair

All wines on taste were available to purchase on the day with a 20% discount. Tasmanian truffles cost $2.80 per gram.

The French Wine Fair was held on Saturday 16 July 2011 by the The Ultimo Wine Centre, a regular haunt which forms part of our foodie triangle.

Ultimo Wine Centre
Shop c21/99 Jones St
Ultimo NSW 2007
www.ultimowinecentre.com.au

About the author

Corinne Mossati

Corinne Mossati is a drinks writer, author of GROW YOUR OWN COCKTAIL GARDEN, SHRUBS & BOTANICAL SODAS and founder/editor of Gourmantic, Cocktails & Bars and The Gourmantic Garden. She has been writing extensively about spirits, cocktails, bars and cocktail gardening in more recent years. She is a spirits and cocktail competition judge, Icons of Whisky Australia nominee, contributor to Diageo Bar Academy, cocktail developer and is named in Australian Bartender Magazine's Top 100 Most Influential List. Her cocktail garden was featured on ABC TV’s Gardening Australia and has won several awards. She is a contributor to Real World Gardener radio program and is featured in several publications including Pip Magazine, Organic Gardener, Australian Bartender and Breathe (UK). Read the full bio here.

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