Taste of Sydney 2012: Champagne, Wine, Beer & Cider

At Taste of Sydney, you could wander the grounds and choose from a range of wines, beers, ciders and other beverages to match the various cuisines of the participating restaurants.

Pommery Champagne Bar

Located at the rear of the Jaguar car, the Pommery Champagne Bar was an elegant space in which to start or end the day with a flute of fine bubbles.

Pommery Champagne Bar

Pommery Grand Cru 2004

Three champagnes were available, Pommery Brut Royal NV, Pommery Brut Rosé and Pommery Grand Cru 2004, the latter being delicate and fresh in the typical style of the house.

Two Italian Boys

Nick Guglielmino and Michael Pillon

At the Two Italian Boys wine stand, it was chequered cloths, hanging bikes and playing cards. Nick Guglielmino and Michael Pillon, the duo behind the label who proved very popular at Sydney Cellar Door last month, showcased their range of wines in true Italian hospitality.

Two Italian Boys

The Two Italian Boys Sangiovese and the Semillon Viognier were still among the favourites. For lovers of dessert wines, The Sticky Italian Botrytis Semillon hits the right spot and complements desserts and hard cheeses.

Do as their motto says, “Pick us up tonight!” (www.twoitalianboys.com)

Dal Zotto Wines

Over at Dal Zotto Wines, it was also two Italian men, twin brothers Simon Dal Zotto and Christian Dal Zotto, who almost made you believe you were seeing double.

Simon Dal Zotto (L) and Christian (R) Dal Zotto

Dal Zotto Wines, who had impressed Gourmantic with their 2010 Riesling at the Wrapped in Riesling event, offered five wines on taste including their popular Prosecco. Fruity and dry with a long, clean and crisp acidity, Dal Zotto Pucino Prosecco NV makes a great accompaniment to seafood or can be simply enjoyed as an aperitif. Either way, one sip of this sparkling wine and you can’t put it down.

Dal Zotto Wines: Pinot Grigio 2011, Arneis 2010, Prosecco NV, Rosato 2011, Sangiovese Cabernet 2010

Also on taste were the Pinot Grigio 2011, Arneis 2010, Prosecco NV, Rosato 2011 and  Sangiovese Cabernet 2010.

Dal Zotto Wines are located in King Valley in Victoria. (www.dalzotto.com.au)

Brown Brothers

At the Brown Brothers Stand

Seeing double at wine stands may have had you question the amount of alcoholic beverages you have tasted in the heat of the day but it was certainly not a reflection on the quality of the wines.

Katherine Brown

Brown Brothers have had a long history with the Gourmantic cellar and Taste of Sydney provided a great opportunity to get acquainted with new members of the family.

(L to R) NV Prosecco, NV Pinot Noir Chardonnay Sparkling, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Tempranillo & Graciano, Patricia Cabernet Sauvignon

On taste were the NV Prosecco, the NV Pinot Noir Chardonnay Sparkling, Pinot Grigio, the Limited Release Chardonnay, Tempranillo & Graciano and the Patricia Cabernet Sauvignon – the latter two being among the favourites.

The Prosecco Road Tasting at Vintec Wine Tasting with Gourmet Traveller Wine

Prosecco Road session

Over at VINTEC Wine Tasting with Gourmet Traveller Wine, it was a trip down Prosecco Road with 6 Prosecco wines from the King Valley in Victoria.

(L to R) Carlo Pizzini , Sam Miranda, Katherine Brown (Brown Brothers), Christian Dal Zotto (Dal Zotto wines)

Judy Sarris, Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine Editor, hosted the informative and at times playful tasting session with Carlo Pizzini (Pizzini Wines), Sam Miranda (Sam Miranda Wine), Katherine Brown (Brown Brothers) and Christian Dal Zotto (Dal Zotto Wines).

(see photo gallery on the Gourmantic Facebook page)

Arrogant Frog

Arrogant Frog Wines

At the Arrogant Frog, it was frogs, berets and smiles. The Ribet White made with Sauvignon Blanc was on taste as well as the popular Ribet Red, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The easily quaffable wines come from the Languedoc region of southern France.

Rekordelig Cider

Rekordelig Cider marquee

Occupying a large marquee with bold red cushioned seats, Rekordelig Cider was an inviting space to take respite from the heat and enjoy live music.

Rekordelig Cider range

If you prefer your cider on the sweet side, you’ll enjoy the range of Rekordelig ciders which come in apple and blackcurrant, apple, pear, wild berries and strawberry-lime flavours. The Rekordelig Winter Cider, made with apple, cinnamon and vanilla, can be enjoyed cold or warm and is well worth trying in the cooler months.

Sunshack Cider

Sunshack Cider stand

The Sunshack Cider stand caught attention with its signature shack and the bails of hay where you could enjoy a glass of Apple of Pear Cider.

Sunshack Apple Cider

Chang Beer

You may not have heard of Chang Beer from Thailand before but the pretty girls with lovely smiles would have caught your attention as they offered samples to taste. The beer is light and crisp and complements the spicy flavours of Asian cuisine.

Birra Ronzani

Birra Ronzani

Euro Concepts  offered tasting of Birra Ronzani, and Italian beer that has its origins in Casalecchio di Reno, near Bologna. The beer is deep gold in colour, has a crisp taste and comes in 750ml bottles.

Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer

Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer is made from 4 secret ingredients and is steeped in Scottish traditions and has a strong spicy flavour to drink on its own or as a mixer.

(photo gallery here)

This concludes out taste of Sydney 2012 series. For more photos of the festival, visit Gourmantic on Facebook and Like the page.

More in the Taste of Sydney 2012 series:

– Chefs, Restaurants and Tasting Menu
– Cocktails, Bars and Sensology at Taste of Sydney
– Eau-de-Vie Bar & Ketel One Bar Tours
– Taste of Sydney Exhibitor Highlights