Monday 7 December 2015

Vintage Release Lunch at Brown Brothers

When I got wind of the Vintage Release Lunch at Brown Brothers, to be held during the La Dolce Vita festival, I did everything I could to make sure we got there. Even if it meant leaving the house at 7.30am to get there in time. And it was well worth it; I've been visiting Brown Brothers for as long as I can remember and their special lunches are well worth it.

At noon we entered the Epicurean Centre, now known as Patricia's Table. We were greeted and served a glass of their NV Prosecco. The King Valley has really become the unofficial home of Prosecco in the last few years and it is a fabulous drop to drink before, and with a meal. After some mingling (including with Katherine Brown) we were directed to our table, back by the windows.



The menu for our four course feast had me salivating, and we finished our second Prosecco while we were all being welcomed to the event.


The entrée. Such a delicate piece of fish with the very gentle miso broth. The Tasmanian Riesling enhanced the delicate flavours perfectly.



The first main. As I've said previously, I usually avoid duck, but this was finely shredded without any hint of oiliness. The Gamay matched much like a Pinot; a nice light, smooth red. The perfect red for those hot summer days when a Shiraz is just too much.

 


The second main. A stunning piece of beef, perfectly cooked and succulent. The ox tail cannelloni was a great accompaniment, and the yet-to-be released Patricia Shiraz was the perfect match.


The dessert, along side a Moscato Chardonnay; slightly less sweet than a standard Moscato for those that want a dessert wine without the massive sugar load.


After lunch we sidled into the Cellar Door to try a few more wines, and came away with a lovely selection including a 2010 Cellar Release Shiraz which was a perfect accompaniment to our antipasto dinner of bread and Milawa Cheese.