Australian and Portuguese fine wining & dining events in London

Sounds of Silence, Uluru, NT: photo credit Restaurant Australia

In a spooky coincidence both Australia’s and Portugal’s tourism boards have just launched rather tasty programmes to show off their country’s food and wine culture.  As Tourism Australia’s Andrew McEvoy put it at last year’s Savour Australia conference, “more and more the world travels on its belly.” For Londoners, the good news is that you need not travel too far and, for the Australian events, there are multiple opportunities to win trips Down Under.

Here are the programmes for each.

Australia

For six consecutive nights from September 22 to 27 Australia House on the Strand becomes a pop up wine and dine Australia restaurant showcasing Aussie chef talent alongside wines selected by Justin Knock MW.  Each night one diner will also win a business class trip for two to Australia, including tickets to a gala dinner at MONA in Tasmania.  Tickets cost £100.

Jansz NV will be served upon arrival every night.  Here’s the programme for each evening:

Monday, September 22 – South Australia | Chef – Maggie Beer

• Henschke Julius Riesling, 2013
• McGuigan Shortlist Chardonnay, 2011
• d’Arenberg Derelict Vineyard Grenache, 2009
• Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz, 2008
• Yalumba Museum Reserve Muscat, NV

Tuesday, September 23 – New South Wales | Chef – Skye Gyngell

• Philip Shaw The Architect Chardonnay, 2013
• Brokenwood Shiraz, 2009
• McGuigan Bin 9000 Semillon, 2007
• Logan Shiraz, 2012
• Deen De Bortoli Vat 5 Botrytis Semillon, 2009

Wednesday, September 24 – Queensland | Chef – Luke Rayment

• Tyrrell’s Lost Block Semillon, 2013
• Devils Corner Sauvignon Blanc, 2013
• Grant Burge Filsell Shiraz, 2011
• Penfolds Bin 28, 2010
• Brown Brothers Botrytis Riesling, 2008

Thursday, September 25 – Western Australia | Chef – Matt Stone

• Cullen Mangan Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, 2012
• Ad Hoc Cruel Mistress Pinot Noir, 2013
• Voyager Estate Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, 2013
• Vasse Felix Chardonnay, 2012
• Howard Park Leston Shiraz, 2010

Friday, September 26 – Victoria | Chef – Shannon Bennett

• De Bortoli Phi Sauvignon Blanc, 2008
• Kooyong Clonale Chardonnay, 2013
• Robert Oatley Yarra Valley Pinot Noir, 2012
• Ladies Who Shoot Their Lunch Shiraz, 2010
• Campbells Rutherglen Muscat, NV

Saturday, September 27 – Northern Territory | Chef – Rachel O’Sullivan

• Yalumba Viognier, 2012
• Yangarra Old Vine Grenache, 2011
• Hewitson Gun Metal Riesling, 2013
• Paringa Estate Peninsula Pinot Noir, 2012
• Stanton and Killeen Topaque, NV

Full details, including how to book here.

Portugal

Running from September through to March is there any excuse not to make a Taste Portugal London event?!?  What’s more Taste Portugal London’s wide-ranging programme casts its net across the capital.

The Yeatman’s Ricardo Costa saves us the work of teasing out the meat(pictured on the wafer) with cracos e sapateira com vichyssoise

Leading Portuguese chefs from the home country and based in London together with their sommeliers will host wine dinners, wine tastings, cooking demonstrations and even a street-food safari.  I’ve enjoyed fabulous contemporary Portuguese cuisine at the restaurants of Rui Paula, Henrique Sá Pessoa, Ricardo Costa and Nuno Mendes so expect a top notch experience.