WINE EXPLORATIONS

Wine lovers and industry specialists were pampered recently when Treasury Wine Estate (TWE) showcased some of its portfolio with a fine New World Wine Dinner at The Legian Bali's Ocean Champagne Bar.

The gathering opened with cocktails on the beachside deck overlooking the Indian Ocean and the stunning sunset, where guests mingled while enjoying canapés and convivial conversation.

Penfolds winemaking ambassador Sam Stephens introduced and discussed the impressive wine line up, which saw each of the five courses accompanied by two wines of the same grape produced by different wineries, providing an excellent opportunity to explore the rich range of flavours and aromas possible from different terroirs and winemakers.

Each course was beautifully paired, providing yet another opportunity to explore how food impacts on the taste and enjoyment of the wine. The starter was a spicy, flavourful Papua Mud Crab with sambal matah, citrus and herbs paired with the 2012 Penfolds Koonunga Hill Autumn Riesling and the 2015 Wolf Blass Yellow Label Riesling, both giving a significantly different impression before and with the food.

Of particular note was the Bangkal Hitam Pork Shoulder paired with 2010 Penfolds Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz and 2013 Wolf Blass Gold Label Shiraz. While many diners preferred the Penfolds before trying the food, the excellent local village-reared pork was ideal with the Wolf Blass, providing fruit for much discussion.

The meal rounded off with dessert paired solely with the gorgeous NV Penfolds Grandfather Tawny; an excellent wine to end a meal on a rich, indulgent note. lhm-hotels.com tweglobal.com