Events
Sydney Morning Herald
Friday February 14, 2003
COWRA ORANGE MUDGEE BATHURST WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL
Where Museum of Contemporary Art, 140 George Street, The Rocks
When Today, 5-8pm, tomorrow and Sunday, 11am-3pm and 4-7pm
How much $20 pre-booked; $25 at the door
More information Infoline and bookings, 8338 8666
Despite the effects of the drought some amazing food and wine continues to come out of regional NSW. Some of this fine produce will be on show during the Cowra Orange Mudgee Bathurst Wine & Food Festival, conveniently held for Sydneysiders at the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Now in its sixth year, the festival will have about 40 stalls featuring the region's wine and food treasures along with information on tourism and accommodation for those keen to visit. It also complements the large Food of Orange District (FOOD) festival held in April.
More than 100 wines and a range of produce will be available for tasting. Patrons can sample, among other treats, venison from Orange, goat cheese and mustard from Mudgee, and Figtree Retreat olives. The wine list ranges from Orange cabernets, dessert wines from the Bathurst region and some of Cowra's award-winning chardonnays.
Renowned chef Michael Manners, described by the Herald food and wine critic Anthony Dennis as one of the "founding fathers of Sydney's contemporary restaurant scene", was so impressed by the region's lifestyle and produce he moved there three years ago.
"Rather than have the produce come to me I went to the produce," Manners says. "It's not only the food and wine out here that's of interest. It's a very beautiful part of the world."
While the drought has affected the volume of produce coming out of the region, wine buffs have long appreciated the dry years for the way they stress grape vines to produce smaller, superior-flavoured fruit. Manners is looking forward to sampling the result.
"This year is just shaping up to be one of those once-in-a-lifetime ones," he says.
Juan-Carlo Tomas
© 2003 Sydney Morning Herald
