Cheese and Chocolate, Hunter Valley (16-17 May 2009)

A visit to the Hunter Valley is never complete until you've visited some local cheese and chocolate shops to supplement your wine tasting adventures of the wineries. Here's a few retail food gems I can recommend visiting:

Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop @ Pokolbin Village
2188 Broke Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320

&
Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop (hall of food) @ Tempus Two Winery
2144 Broke Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320

http://www.huntervalleysmellycheeseshop.com.au

Binnorie Dairy @ Tuscany Wine Estate
Corner of Hermitage Rd. and Mistletoe Lane, Pokolbin NSW 2320

http://www.binnorie.com.au

Hunter Valley Chocolate Company
Factory and Showroom
820 Lovedale Road, Lovedale NSW 2325
http://www.hvchocolate.com.au

Good place to try different flavoured fudge and chilli chocolate

A few nibbles after a hard day of wine tasting including a bottle of Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc from Liquorland in Cessnock because I didn't get a chance to buy any local wines before 5 pm closing time.

Jindi Triple Cream Brie ($4.75 piece) and Netherby Blue ($3.70 piece) from The Smelly Cheese Shop

Stuffed olives with almonds, blue vein cheese and sun dried tomato from The Smelly Cheese Shop $8.89 small container

Washed Rind cheese from Binnorie Dairy $9.50 piece

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Cheddar cheese from Binnorie Dairy $5 piece

Duetto from Binnorie Dairy around $6 tub

Blue Torte from Binnorie Dairy around $6 tub

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Clever chocolate packaging available in the chocolate shop at Pokolbin Village

Tired cute dog resting on the couch at Tintilla Estate. I'm a fan of this friendly and welcoming winery and their wines, especially the Shiraz. They also serve their wine tastings in large quality glasses so you can swirl and better appreciate the aroma while sitting down at their tables.

Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop @ Pokolbin Village

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Binnorie Dairy @ Tuscany Wine Estate

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Hunter Valley Chocolate Company

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Tintilla Estate

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Lovedale Long Lunch 2009, Hunter Valley (16-17 May 2009)

Lovedale, Hunter Valley NSW 2320
http://www.lovedalelonglunch.com.au

http://www.lovedalehuntervalley.com.au

The Lovedale Long Lunch was started in 1994 and includes seven wineries and vineyards to visit over the Long Lunch weekend. Last year at Lovedale Long Lunch 2008 I tried all the meals and desserts but this year I noticed many of the dishes were repeated at Emma's Cottage, Gartelmann and Warraroong Estate so I preferred to try new dishes from Sandalyn Wilderness Estate, Wandin Valley, Tatler Wines and Allandale.

Prices for entrees were increased by $3 this year. “LLL” commemorative tasting glass $5. Plate of entrée size gourmet cuisine $23 matched with a complimentary glass of the winemakers’ specially selected wine to accompany it. Desserts $8, local cheese $8, fresh coffee from $2.

Saturday was the most popular and busy for wineries with packed buses creating a dust storm on the dirt roads and dropping off a plentiful supply of fun-loving visitors. Many groups coordinated dress up themes like Where's Wally, Pirates, Retro, Western or simply Hen's Night feathery head pieces — lots of fun and very entertaining to watch. Sunday was a lot more civilized and peaceful and less chaotic for wine tastings and lining up for meals.

The desserts impressed me more than the meals this year, especially Tatler's lime tart with wild strawberry gelato and mixed berry compote which was a standout for me. I also liked the tiramisu from Warraroong and the blueberry cheesecake from Gartlemann. The best meal I sampled was Tatler's char grilled king prawns with smoked Atlantic salmon and crab rolls. Warraroong's potato gnocchi with local chorizo sausage was also a notable tasty combination.

I'm sure if all of the dishes were freshly cooked to order they'd be much better but sadly because the wineries are catering for 1000's of visitors most of the pre-prepared dishes are not as fresh and appealing as I would prefer and are served a bit too dry for my liking. I guess there's a large market of very hungry touring bus visitors but when I start to compare what you could have cooked to order in a fine dining Hunter Valley restaurant for an entree without wine it makes me think for the quality of food there's possibly better value elsewhere. An abundance of rocket leaves in the dishes were again present like last year — I wish they'd be more creative and different and use it less as a plate filler.

Some entrees prices at fine dining restaurants for example:

• Esca at Bimbagen Estate are $23 or a tasting plate with wine for $31.50

• Roberts at Tower Estate are $24-27

• Fishes & Leaves are $21

• Rock Restaurant are $17-23

• Margan Restaurant are $18-24

but of course you don't get a glass of wine, live music entertainment and the outdoor party atmosphere — although at restaurants there's table service so you don't have to queue up for your food and find a table after.

Tatler Wines

Tapas of mini fillet mignon wrapped in prosciutto served with mixed mustards plus lamb Souvlaki skewers (lamb fillet) marinated in greek spices served with minted yoghurt on a salad of fresh rocket, parmesan, pear and walnuts.
2006 Archie's Paddock Shiraz

Tapas of char grilled king prawns marinated in chilli and garlic plus smoked Atlantic salmon and crab rolls with zesty lime dressing on a salad of fresh rocket, parmesan, pear and walnuts.

2008 Tatlers "Whispers" Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Individual lime tart served with wild strawberry gelato and mixed berry compote

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Wandin Valley Estate

Tender barbequed pork loin medallions on oven roasted seasoned baby potatoes, topped with white balsamic apples and finished with a red current glaze.

2009 Wandin Valley Estate Verdelho

Grilled Portuguese style beef skewers marinated in paprika, lemon, garlic & oregano accompanied by a timbal of steamed rice dressed with a tomato & lemon thyme jus.
2007 Wandin Valley Cabernet/Merlot

Trio of cheeses accompanied by chutney and crackers

Warraroong Estate

Pan fried home made Potato Gnocchi, with local chorizo sausage, roasted butternut pumpkin, pine nuts and basil pesto.
2007 Warraroong Estate Long Lunch Red

Traditional Italian Tiramisu served with seasonal berry compote, fresh whipped cream and shaved Callebaut chocolate

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Emma's Cottage Vineyard

I didn't try the meals here because they were similar to last year but was keen to try the dessert of Belgian chocolate tart again but they had run out on the Saturday afternoon when I visited. Here are a couple of photos of the fun-loving atmosphere with visitors dancing to the beat of the live musicians.

Allandale Winery

Balinese prawn and calamari curry with roast pumpkin, coriander and lime leaf dumplings.
2008 Allandale Verdelho

Lamb shank pie with caramelised root vegetables and rocket salad.
2007 Allandale Matthew Shiraz

Binnorie Brie with tomato relish, crackers and crusty breads

Gartelmann Hunter Estate

Thyme and garlic infused tenderloin of lamb, with duo of warm minted potato salad dressed with Gartelmann's olive oil.

2005 Gartelmann Wilhelm Shiraz

Lemon peppered chicken, with oven roasted Autumn vegetables and balsamic onions with citrus dressing.

2008 Gartelmann Jessica Verdelho

Blueberry cheesecake tart with mixed berry ragout and freshly whipped cream

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Sandalyn Wilderness Estate

BBQ honey soy ocean trout served on a roasted pumpkin and cous cous salad with preserved lemon and parsley aioli.
2006 Sandalyn Estate Chardonnay

Redsalt’s Black Label Scotch Whisky fudge-cake with double cream and chocolate velvet sauce (I didn't try this one but it's a variation on their dessert from last year)

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Lovedale Long Lunch 2008, Hunter Valley (17-18 May 2008)

Lovedale, Hunter Valley NSW 2320
http://www.lovedalelonglunch.com.au

http://www.lovedalehuntervalley.com.au

The Lovedale Long Lunch was started in 1994 and includes seven wineries and vineyards to visit over the Long Lunch weekend. 2008 was my first time to this event and I managed to try all the meals and desserts offered from all seven wineries participating with the help of my foodie friends who joined me.

First purchase your “LLL” commemorative tasting glass ($5) at any of the participating Lovedale wineries. Choose a plate of entrée size gourmet cuisine ($20) matched with a complimentary glass of the winemakers’ specially selected wine to accompany it.
Desserts ($8), local cheese ($8), fresh coffee (from $2).

Out of all the dishes I thought the Allandale Winery had the best selection of food and was definitely a cut above the rest in terms of serving size, quality ingredients, cooking technique and flavours achieved. I also liked the Tiramisu dessert from The Warraroong Estate and blueberry cheesecake from Gartelmann Hunter Estate. I noticed a lot of the dishes overused rocket leaves which I started to find a bit annoying and uninspiring — it was like there was a special on rocket that week and they bought it by the tonne!

Emma's Cottage Vineyard

Flamed grilled spiced tiger prawns on toasted almond, spring onion & herb cous cous with lemon & honey dressing

Wine: 2007 Emma’s Cottage Semillon

Aromatic Sri Lankan chicken curry with steamed jasmine rice, coriander, mango chutney & minted cumin & yoghurt raita 

Wine: 2007 Emma’s Cottage Shiraz

Belgian Chocolate tart with sticky caramello & macadamia crumble

Warraroong Estate 

Peppered Atlantic Salmon fillet served on a soft tangy lemon-mascarpone polenta with ‘Il Cacciatore' salsa verde of capers, lemon, garlic, parsley and extra virgin olive oil 
Wine: Warraroong Estate 2003 Shiraz

Sauteed Home Made Potato Gnocchi, with local chorizo sausage, wild rocket and vine ripened tomato tossed in fresh basil pesto
Wine: 2007 Warraroong Estate Long Lunch White

Traditional Italian Tiramisu served with seasonal berry compote, fresh whipped cream and shaved Callebaut chocolate

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Sandalyn Estate 

BBQ honey soy ocean trout served on a new potato, Manzanilla olive and basil salad with preserved lemon and parsley aioli 

Wine: 2006 Sandalyn Estate Chardonnay

Braised Mandagery Creek venison with shiraz and lemon thyme, served with caramelised pumpkin cous cous 

Wine: 2003 Sandalyn Estate Conservatory Shiraz

Redsalt’s Black Label Scotch Whisky fudge-cake with double cream and chocolate velvet sauce

Gartelmann Hunter Estate 

Barbecued garlic and thyme marinated lamb tenderloins on a warm minted potato and pumpkin salad dressed with Gartelmann extra virgin olive oil 
Wine: 2004 Gartelmann Wilhelm Shiraz

Blackened chicken on spiced char-grilled garden vegetables with balsamic glazed onion relish, wild rocket & pesto pine nut dressing
Wine: 2001 Gartelmann Reserve Semillon

Blueberry cheesecake tart with Autumn berry compote and freshly whipped cream

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Wandin Valley Estate 

Salt & Pepper Squid on steamed jasmine rice with garlic, capsicum, white wine, fresh garden herbs with a hint of chilli a pinch of saffron & a splash of cream 

Wine: 2008 Wandin Valley Estate Verdelho

Slow braised beef infused with vanilla beans and Wandin Valley Shiraz, oven roasted sweet potato and gremolata
Wine: 2007 Wandin Valley Estate Fatsos Red

Cooper Wines 

Malaysian prawns and calamari curry with pumpkin, coriander and lime leaf rice dumplings 
Wine: 2006 Cooper Cabernet Sauvignon

BBQ Moroccan chicken with chargrilled eggplant, walnut and labna salad with mint & honey dressing - served with Turkish bread 

Wine: 2007 Cooper Verdelho

Allandale Winery 

Twice cooked Tuscan lamb shank with a vegetable caponata of eggplant, tomato, celery and olive cheeks on saffron potato mash with charred ciabatta bread 
Wine: 2006 Allandale Matthew Shiraz-Viognier

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Orange glazed pork belly resting on wok tossed Asian vegetables with rice noodles and a sweet mango chutney 

Wine: 2007 Allandale Chardonnay

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Dessert assiette: Caramel & espresso mousse caged by chocolate, pistachio nut & chocolate brownie and a burnt orange tart with poached blueberries

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