The Very Fine Taste of Orange

Managed to spend the last few days of my holidays taking in the Orange wine show judging, and visiting some of the many exhibitors.

My very first stop and in fact very first tasting was of Brangayne of Orange's extraordinary 2008 Sauvignon Blanc...sensational! This wine won a gold medal at the New Zealand International Wine Show this year...very well done to Pamela, Don and David Hoskins indeed to beat the kiwis at their own game! Their 2006 Isolde Reserve Chardonnay was also awarded the best wine of show in Orange this year.

Also enjoyed Dindima Estate's gold medal wining Shiraz. Well done Lee & family.

Special trophy of regional excellence went to Murray Smith for his 2005 Canobolas Smith Chardonnay..

The best Sauvignon Blanc of Show went to the 2008 Logan Wines Sauvignon Blanc.

Special mention to the great hospitality and range of products (including Hunter Valley cheeses) of the Prince of Orange winery.

Congratulations too to Printhie for the presentation of their cellar door and their impressive line up of products...the largest producer in the district, set well off the beaten track and well worth the drive in.

Must spend more time out here in the Orange district...missed a couple of beaut events including " Stew and Shiraz in the Shed" due to time constraints.

Note for the diary...17 - 26 April 2009 Orange Food Week.

Also enjoyed the delectable goodies at Manners and Borg Fine foods, and the best local meats from M & J Butchery.

Go West more often young man, I say!

Pearly Oysters

Back home now reminiscing about my recent holidays...especially remembering those magnificent Clyde River oysters grown in Batemans Bay.

Pearly Oysters have just won yet another award for their produce...this time to do with quality environmental practices.

I have to say that their oysters are just as good as it gets!

Tried the local native oysters (mud oysters)... see pic above...big, juicy, salty, and very nice.

The water quality there makes their Sydney Rock Oysters very special also.

A freshly squeezed fruit juice, and a dozen freshly shucked oysters for breakfast, and you know you're on holidays somewhere special!

Bondi 2008 Sculpture by the Sea

Back from holidays and now with computer repaired (what is it with going away and coming home to find your PC unco-operative?)...lots of blog posts to catch up on!

Spent a very pleasant morning doing the Bondi To Tamarama walk taking in this year's sculpture by the sea pieces...very pleasant.

Even inspired me to go and catch the new Coen Brothers movie with George, Brad, Frances & John Malkovich...kind of dark but very spot on!