Since it's a long weekend, we decided that we should do something 'special', and we agreed that going to the wineries would be perfect since the we have been enthusiastic about wine lately. Having said that, I must mention that we are going pretty well (I mean determined) with our wine review book. And, we purchased 5 bottles of wine at Dan Murphy, Glen Waverley on Saturday.... GLORY!
First stop: Paringa Estate Winery & Restaurant
I must say that it feels really good to be away from the city and not surrounded by high-rise buildings.
It costs us only A$2 per person for wine tasting. It is indeed A$7 for tasting 4 types of wine (and they refund A$3 for the wine glass, hence A$4 each person) but we were so 'kiasu' that we only got 2 tickets for 4 of us. And guess what, we earned one extra sip of wine.
(from left) Peninsular Shiraz 2007, Estate Shiraz 2007 and Reserve Shiraz 2006.
Can't remember why we were not impressed, possibly it was because of the price that scared us off.
Cheese platter.
The restaurant.
Review?
I like the atmosphere and the live jazz music which made me wanted to dance like Julie Andrew in The Sound of Music.
I could imagine having some Camembert cheese and prosciutto with a glass of Cab Saug, surrounded by barrels of wine, and the live music, that experience of 亲吻大自然 ain't one that you could find in Melbourne CBD!
Paringa Estate Winery & Restaurant
Address: 44 Paringa Rd Red Hill South VIC 3937
Contact: (03) 5931 0138
Second stop: Foxeys Hangout
Tony (the owner)'s Vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce and a thin layer of almond bread. Ice-cream is great, though not as good as Movenpick's. The almond bread is fluffy with crisp.
Duck terrine, plum sauce and bread, and a glass of Shiraz.
Despite my dislike of the over-loading peppercorn in the terrine, the body is absolutely tasty and I especially like the mushrooms pieces embedded in it.
Foxeys Hangout
Address: 795 White Hill Road, Red Hil,l VIC 3937
Contact: (03) 5989 2022
Third Stop: Port Phillip Estate
This magnificent building that looks like a creepy laboratory.
The tasting counter.
It costs A$10 per person for wine tasting, and you can take the Riedel wine glass home. According to Max, that glass costs more than A$10 so it was a bargain. I hope I won't have a chance to find out the true value of the glass as I have a feeling that that might costs only 5 bucks.
Port Phillip Estate
Address: 263 Red Hill Rd, Red Hill South VIC 3937
Contact: (03) 5989 4444
Last stop: Box Stallion
A random statute placed in front of this canteen-like restaurant.
The tasting counter and Gary the sales person. Without paying anything we tried almost every single wine in the wine tasting list: Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Red Barn Chardonnay, Enclosure Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Dolcetto, Shiraz, Tempranillo, Moscato and Sweet Harmony.
A total of 10 types of wine, Gary's being very very generous.
Applause to Gary, we bought half a dozen of wine, and got a bottle of free Enclosure Chardonnay (it's their buy 6 get 1 free). And, Gary gave us a bottle of Sweet Harmony as 'international relation'. Clever Gary, he sees the potential market in China!
Review?
Maybe it's Gary's marketing or sweet talk, or maybe Box Stallion is truly that fantastic, their wines are absolutely impressive. I have no knowledge of appreciation of wine, but, in layman language, I think the Chardonnay is definitely easier to consume than most that I've tried, the Dolcetta is worth the purchase (A$20). While Shiraz is the best amongst all, A$30 is still a little pricey for us.
Overall, it is the best wine-tasting experience out of the four wineries.
Box Stallion
Address: 64 Tubbarubba Rd, Merricks North, VIC 3926
Contact: (03) 59897444
by Claire
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