WCA Sydney Royal Wine Show Trophy Winners Lunch

Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre was the venue again this year on Friday 17th February for the Wine Communicators of Australia 2012 Macquarie Group Sydney Royal Wine Show Trophy Winners Lunch.

The Sydney Royal Wine, Dairy and Fine Food Shows are managed by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW – a not for profit organisation established in 1822 to support and promote Australian agricultural excellence and innovation.

As the Sydney Royal Wine Show Trophy Winners lunch, it seems only fitting that the wines were the heroes of the lunch. Stepping me through the three brackets was the kilt wearing sommelier of the Sydney Convention Centre & Exhibition, William Wilson.

CANAPES

Seared scallop with pea puree and blood sausage on a brioche wafer

Hazelgroze oyster with Stockyard grain-fed sirloin and wasabi aioli on sourdough

2004 Arras Brute Elite Cuvee 401
The Thorp Annual Trophy, best Sparkling White Wine from Classes 15 and 60

Matilda Bay Alpha Pale Ale
Champion Bottle Beer, 2001 Sydney Royal Fine Food Show

(while our menu listed the Champion Matilda Bay, I did observe my favourite Endeavour true vintage beers being served and enjoyed in the foyer during canapes)

ENTREE TASTING PLATE

Highland Organics feta souffle with spiced tomato tapenade

Gwydir Grove blood orange oil-confit duck breast with cucumber remoulade

Daintree saltwater barramundi ceviche wrapped in Huon cold-smoked salmon with a Crystal Bay prawn vinaigrette

2011 Bay of Fires Sauvignon Blanc
RAS of NSW Annual Prize for best Sauvignon Blan, best Varietal Wine, Sauvignon Blanc in Class 24

2011 Leasingham Bin 7 Riesling
The Bert Bear Memorial Perpetual Trophy, best Previous Vintage Premium White Wine in Class 41 and 45

2006 Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Hunter Semillon
James Busby Annual Prize, best Wine in any class from NSW

2010 Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay
The Albert Chan Memorial Prize, Best White Wine of SHow
The Four Seasons Hotel Sydney Perpetual Trophy, best Premium White Wine, two years and older in Classes 42 to 45, 50 and 54
Fine Wine Partners Perpetual Trophy, best Show Wine exhibited at major State WIne Shows within the preceding 12 months

While some might think the job of wine judging and wine tasting a serious matter, our table had jolly good fun. Bibs were tucked in to protect against spills. Jovial conversation elevated the award winning wines to even great heights. The menu also featured Champions and Gold Medallists from the Sydney Royal Fine Food and Cheese and Dairy Produce Shows. It was an outstanding start to what carried on into the night. Later as I joined others from the lunch at Woollahra’s The Wine Library, we continued to savour what was my pick from the wines of the day – the 2006 Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Hunter Semillon.

MAIN COURSE

Slow-roasted saddle of Mirrool Creek lamb with eschalot jam, gnocchi galette and rosemary emulsion

2010 Coldstream Hills Pinot Noir
The Geoffrey Grundall Perpetual Trphy, best Varietal Wine, Pinot Noir, Class 29

2010 Amberley Secret Lane Cabernet Merlot
The Wine Communicators of Australia Perpetual Trophy, best Dry Red Wine in the Commercial Classes 9 to 14

2010 Leconfield Merlot
The Arthur Kelman Perpetual Trophy, best Varietal Wine, Merlot, Class 28

2010 Mt Langhi Ghiran Cliff Edge Shiraz
The Dr. Gilbert Phillips Memorial Perpetual Trophy, best Red Wine of Show
Macquarie Group Perpetual Trophy, best Wine of Show
The Liquore Merchants Association of Australia Perennial Trophy, best Varietal Wine, Shiraz in Classes 32 and 26 to 27

You know I’m a strong supporter of online communities, and I know you are too. So you’ll be pleased to hear that this year the WCA (Wine Communicators of Austalia) created the inaugral award for Digital Communicator of the Year. The recipients were the talented, knowledgeable and entertaining The Qwoff Boys.

CHEESE PLATTER

King Island Dairy Black Label cloth-matured cheddar

Bangalow Cheese Company Tintenbar triple cream

Berrys Creek Tarwin Blue

King Island Dairy Stormy

2010 Best’s Great Western Shiraz Bin O
The Leslie Kemeny Memorial Perpetual Trophy, best two year old Premium Red Wine in Classes 46 to 49 and 51 to 53
The John Swann Perpetual Trophy, best Premium Dry Red Wine, two years and older, in classes 46 to 49, 51 to 53 and 55 to 59

2006 Leasingham Classic Clare Cabernet Sauvignon
The Theo and Helen Karedis Perpetual Trophy, best Aged Vintage Red Wine in Classes 70 to 72

2011 Heggies Vineyard Botrytis Riesling
The Hamminno Perpetual Trophy, best Sweet White Wine in Class 7

Espresso coffee and freshly brewed tea

Morris Wines Old Premium Liquer Muscat, NV
The J C M Fornachon Memorial Perpetual Trophy, best Fortified Wine in Classes 17 t0 21 and 62 to 65

Sydney Royal Wine, Dairy & Fine Food Shows

Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre
Darling Drive, Darling Harbour NSW Australia
+61 2 9282 5000