Monthly Archive for August, 2011

Sarah Crowe of Bimbagen

I am so lucky to have so many passionate wine makers and wine experts on my show. Sarah Crowe Senior Winemaker from Bimbadgen is no exception. In fact she is rather special. A woman in a very male dominated world, who was the recipient of the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association’s Hunter Legends “Rising Star of the Year” Award in 2009.

Sarah Crowe Senior Winemaker at Bimbadgen

For a girl from the coastal town of Wollongong, New South Wales, who went to the Hunter Valley to explore horticulture she has done amazingly well. Sarah works on a range of wine varietals across the Bimbadgen range.  Bimbadgen is going through a brand extension and part of this is taking a strong stance on environmental sustainability; a new bottle is being used that is 28 percent lighter than previous bottles for its wine range, saving 140g per bottle. Across a yearly production, this equates to an approximate 42,000 kilograms of glass saved per annum. I am passionate about sustainable living and recycling so this is good news.

Bimbadgen Regions 2010 Sauvignon Blan

With a fresh look and feel, come sensational additions to the Bimbadgen wine range including the Bimbadgen Sparkling range, consisting of the popular Sparkling Semillon and new release Sparkling Rose, is a fun and lively twist on classic varieties. I was lucky enough to get to try some of the great Bimbadgen classics on the show.

Beautiful Bimbadgen

when I am next in the Hunter  I will be visiting Esca their restaurant that has just released its highly anticipated winter menu. This features gastronomic delights inspired by fresh local Hunter Valley produce.  Signature dishes within Esca are the Tasting Plates, available in red and white wine options. These tasting plates offer three ‘tastes’ from the Esca Menu, presented with a taste of the matching Bimbadgen wine – an introduction to the food and wine matching process which is always so much fun.

Esca Pumpkin Tortellin Pan Fried Manning River Prawns, Labna and Baby Chervil

Also put a note in the diary about the ‘Day on the Green’ concert series.  These are held at the property’s outdoor amphitheatre overlooking the magical vineyards and they have  just announced American rock legend Meatloaf to feature on October 8, 2011 and jazz-rock legends Steely Dan and Steve Winwood on Saturday, October 22, 2011. Wine, food and music can’t  go wrong there.

Bimbadgen can be located at  790 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin  NSW
Tel 02 4998 4600. www.bimbadgen.com.au

The perfect day out, wine, food and great music

Published on August 15, 2011 in General and Limited Table. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , , , , , .

Butter and Cream or Creamy Butter – Meet Pepe

There are two things I get asked all the time, one; is “can you recommend a restaurant” at which point I become brain dead and suddenly forget all my favourites, and two; is “what are you eating at the moment”.

So I pondered number two for a while and thought I would put it out there. My food passion at the moment which is likely to last a very long time, is Pepe Saya’s handcrafted salted butter. It is handmade with total love. This man is so passionate about his award winning butter his entire face lights up when he talks about it.

Award winning salted and unsalted butter from Pepe

When I popped in to discuss my new Limited Table venture with him he insisted on sending me home with a hamper. Oh and what a hamper. Not only is the butter sensational, his chocolate mousse is a show stopper. I offered the chocolate mousse to a friend as an afternoon treat and tried to pass it off as my own except she knew I can’t cook that well. Boy but can I eat! This mousse tastes totally homemade, not overly sweet, with good texture with the added decadent chocolate swirls through it.

You can pass this Choc Mousse off as your own and get away with it

What is really, really good is the Berry Brownie, I managed to eat it slowly over four days by cutting it into four thick chocolate fingers, then I put one in the microwave for 20 seconds poured the Vanilla Pouring Custard over the top and ate it while sipping my tea in front of the telly. I am not sure my body will recover from this total sugar high I have had it on but seriously it has been worth every second of sublime sensual pleasure. Pepe, thank you!!

Thick and Creamy Panna Cotta

Sticky Date Pudding

Presto Pesto

I can rave on about these products but the pictures speak for themselves. You can find them in Harrison Farm and Thomas Dux or you can swing by the shop at 17 Campbell Street, St Peters It is called the Dessert Wholesaler.

Visit www.pepesaya.com.au to see all the products on offer and watch the video about how good butter is made.

Published on August 2, 2011 in General and Limited Table. Closed