“The first grapevine planting material arrived in Australia with white settlement in 1788.” according to the Department of Primary Industries, Queensland Horticulture Institute. The process of planting, harvesting and drinking of wines has never stopped from that time forward. A report released by Wine Australia, cites that “Australia in 2018 alone produced 1.29 tonnes of wine produced 852 million litres made its way overseas, whilst 496 million litres remained for the Australian consumer. This meant that 33 million glasses of Australian wine enjoyed worldwide everyday.” Amazing facts and figures!
Victoria, with three different climate zones is a varied climate. Victoria is known for: Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Cabernet, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Sangiovese, Pinot Gris, Nebbiolo & Fortified Wines Smaller Wine Producers in Australia Western Australia has a warmer climate. The region is known for: Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Riesling.
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A day out to a winery can be the most relaxing and relished experience that a friend, partner or work can take you to. It is a time to share, experience, saviour and talk about. Winery's over time have become the showman, letting you graze on their wines and some have expanded to opening restaurants and featuring only their wines with local produce! Simply chic and an immersive experience. Here are a few pointers when stepping through the cellar door. 1. Before arriving understand your alcohol limit. Going to too many winery's will become a blur and your tongue will need a holiday. Perhaps eat first before trying a bevvy of drinks. Do a good amount of research on the winery's that appeal to you. If you are only a white wine drinker then search for a recommended matching winery. If you are coming with friends then discuss your likes and dislikes and map out the winery's that everyone will be able to enjoy. 2. Dress appropriately with a little glam. Winery regions are located in cool climates. Recommended are flat shoes or wedges, as the winery grounds tend to be gravel, compacted soil or grass. Bigger and popular cellar doors will have paving stones or concrete. Leave perfumes and aftershaves at home, it will affect your smelling senses come wine tasting. Lathering your lips with lipstick can also affect the senses and leave lipstick marks on the glass that may not easily wash off. 3. Upon arriving, smile and greet the staff, they will understand straight away that you're ready to taste their products. If there is a large crowd at the tastings, don't push in to get to the front. Go out and walk about the grounds of the winery, take selfies in the vineyard or even move onto the next winery on your map. Pushing yourself to the front will be noticed, in Australia, you may not be served. 4. The winery may offer free tastings or you may have to pay a small fee, that fee could be waived if you eat later at their in-house restaurant. When you are offered a tasting, go with the tasting order, (or indicate which wines you only like or really want to test). The tasting order will start with whites, rosé to reds and end with fortified wines. You may be given a sheet to mark the wines you enjoyed or didn't quite like. You can either swallow the wine or there will be a spittoon. Don't hesitate to use the spittoon, it is there for a good reason. You may want to have a tissue in readiness for you after you have spat the excess wine.
6. Use the see, swirl, smell, sip and savour techniques. Look and take note of how the wine looks, its colour, its thick or thinness. Close your eyes and identify what you are smelling and tasting. Feel the wine in your mouth. Notice how it tastes when you take the first sip and how it tastes when it languishes for 30-60 seconds in your mouth. Does it appeal to you? What foods could you match it with? Think about the area the winery is in... Do you taste the sea in it? Or possibly you taste eucalyptus laden bushlands? Let the creative side of your mind wander. 7. Be curious, be interested. Staff want to interact with you, they want to tell you the winery's history, their best wines, the types of vines that their wine is made from, the wine process and more. It will put the server at ease and you may be offered a great deal at the end of your stay! 8. It is also a time to step right outside your comfort zone. Why not try different wines than you're used to? You might be delighted and surprised and come home with a new match to your chicken vindaloo, beef shank or blue vein cheese. 9. Using the tasting area as a local bar or pub, could be frowned upon. The tasting area is provided for trying the wines, on a short term basis. If you want to stay longer, then use their restaurant, book a private room, or take your glass to the garden or balcony area. 10. When you are tasting, a good server will automatically change your wine glass once you have finished the white wines before you go onto red wine, fortified or sparkling. If they don't, then ask for a change of wine glasses. Rinsing it out with water, will tend to leave a pool of water in your glass, diluting the wine your tasting.
The drinking and cultivation of coffee has a relatively short history in Australia. Coffee landed on the Australian shores from 1788 on the first fleet from abroad. It has been said that during the first fleet’s voyage, it made a stop in Rio de Janeiro for plants and seedlings to grow in the new lands.
By the 1970’s and 1980’s, the hot trend was for Australians to sit at a café and eat newly discovered, and even exotic desserts and biscuits, with their coffee, may it be cappuccinos, lattes, flat whites, long blacks etc. Australian’s are frequently ranked as top consumers of coffee. Many of the original coffee houses in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide still stand, even with their original fit out, now making icons of the Australian coffee scene. Namely: Pellegrini's Espresso Bar and Mediterranean Wholesalers.
See article in: Maura Graber's Etiquipedia.blogspot.com #auersmont #coffee #cafe #australia #melbourne #etiquette #etiquette tips #etiquetteschool
Can you hear the thundering in the ground beneath you? You can actually feel the horses before they fly past you within seconds, kicking up the greenest, thickest grass with soil into the crowd. The jockeys with laser concentration, visualising what is ahead of them, each one wearing the colours of their company. As the horses pass you see their flared nostrils, pushing out carbon dioxide into the air, chests pumping to get to the finishing line first! The crowd’s chatter has become hushed tones, as they intently watch like eagles, turning their heads from left to right in a 3200 metre race at 3:00 p.m. exactly, on the first Tuesday in November. It is known as “the race that stops the nation.” It is also known as the Melbourne Cup.
Other than viewing the most beautiful horses on earth, you will undoubtedly get to enjoy the site of some truly beautiful spring dresses and hats. It is a time for men and women to show their creativeness, boldness and bravery, which puts into a spin, the local seamstresses, milliners, glove and shoe boutiques. It is the perfect excuse to dress bright, elegant and stand out with a milliner's hat or one that you have designed yourself. Dress Etiquette and Style Guide. The VRC (or the Victorian Racing Club) does have etiquette rules for how ladies and gents need to be attired, if one is to enter certain areas of the racecourse. If one is lucky enough to be invited to private and/or member sections, there are a few rules to remember: Ladies - are required to dress suitable standards of dressing, maintain dignity inside the enclosure. Overseas guests are able to wear their formal national dress of origin. Not acceptable is jumpsuit/playsuits, midriff exposed or shorts. Gentleman - are required to attire themselves with tailored slacks (tailored chino's), sports coat/blazer, tie and dress shoes. Overseas guests are able to wear their formal national dress of origin. During the hot summer months jackets can be a side item. Children - are required to be neatly dressed and with an adult. Member’s Guests - are required to adhere to the above dress requirements. Fashions on the Field... It’s Competition Time! This is an amazing sight that brings the colour, fashion and drama to the races. The competition is held in collaboration with VRC and Myer Department Store each year. Held for over 57 years, it was first created in an attempt to appeal to more women. What was a male dominated sport suddenly seemed ‘fashionable.’ The fashion competition is now a glam event, held over the four days, and brings in international designers, milliners, and global media attention, along with celebrity judges.
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AuthorElizabeth Soos Archives
March 2023
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