Sixty attendees enjoyed a sold-out Cheese and Wine Tasting Event as part of the Kangaroo Valley Show program, hosted by Valley Cheesemakers. This year the theme was Australian vs European cheeses and wines. While no actual voting was undertaken, it is fair to say that attendees were impressed with both the quality of the cheeses and how the wines were matched to each, so it didn’t matter about the country of origin.
The evening was perfectly led by our Master of Ceremonies Simon Harrington, with lucky door prizes and trivia question prizes on offer for attendees. An offer that was hard to resist was the opportunity to submit a wine order on the night for the chance to win your wine order for free and a Riedel Ouverture magnum glass pack with a bonus decanter.
Expert advice on the cheeses was provided by Pam Swinfield, a local Kangaroo Valley artisan cheesemaker and all-round cheese guru.
Nowra Farmers Market generously donated three of the cheeses: Woodside Cheese Wrights ‘Swag’ – an ashed Chèvre from South Australia; Rivoire Comté from France; and a washed rind Esrom from Denmark. John and Linley Brumerskyj of Flavours Shoalhaven provided: Flinders Estate Triple Cream Brie from New South Wales; Hunter Belle ‘Cheddarbelle’ from New South Wales; and the Defendi Gorgonzola from Italy.
Following on from his popularity at our 2023 event, our wine guru Rohan Watson joined us again. Rohan is the South Coast and Southern Highlands representative for Samuel Smith & Sons, and again provided details of the matched six wines in a very engaging and personable way.
Jeff Dudgeon at Kangaroo Valley Fine Wines & Craft Ales was a major sponsor for the event and provided the six matched wines: Collector Shoreline Sangiovese Rosé from New South Wales; Bleasdale Vineyard Cabernet Franc from South Australia; Vasse Felix Premier Chardonnay from Western Australia; Domaine Maire & Fils Côtes du Jura Savagnin Blanc from France; Famille Hugel Gewürztraminer Classic from France; and Viticoltori Senesi Aretini Chianti DOCG from Italy.
We extend a special thank you to our sponsors ‘The Sheddies’, aka Gentlemen Who Dine, and our volunteers who helped with setting up – and washing, drying and packing up the total of 504 glasses used for the event.
And thank you to all who attended and enjoyed a wonderful evening with us.
