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Upcoming Events

JINGLE BELLS AND BIG AUSSIE REDS!
December 10th, 2010 6:30 PM

Get your sparkle on - It's time to eat, drink and be merry!

Ho Ho Ho everyone, it's time to get into the holiday spirit and enjoy that Christmas cheer by tasting a unique variety of big Aussie reds and washing down some incredible food creations by Executive Chef, Tracey Black.

So come on, sign up today! Get your sparkles on, put on that favourite Christmas sweater and enjoy a fun evening, tasting wonderful reds and stimulating those taste buds. There will be some prizes too!

We look forward to seeing you all at Karina's residence to eat, drink and be merry, ...until then,

Cheers to all!
Karina and the AWS Board

Date: Friday 10 December, 2010

Time: 6:30 PM

Address: 51 Delong Drive, Ottawa (Rothwell Heights) K1J 7E4

SOLD OUT! To be placed on the waiting list, please email events@awsottawa.com. Become a member and get priority access to the next event!

We encourage members to bring fresh ideas for events to the Board. Email your suggestions to events@awsottawa.com.

Make sure to click "refresh" on your browser to see the most updated information

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Mark your calendar

Australia Day Black Tie Dinner
Friday 28 Jan, 2011 at 6:30pm

Always a highlight of the year, the annual Australia Day Celebration will be held in the beautiful Fairmont Chateau Laurier. An evening of delicious food and intriguing wines awaits you in the sophisticated atmosphere of this historic Ottawa landmark.

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Past Events

August 20, 2010 -

Review - Summer Garden BBQ at the Australian High Commissioner's Residence

August 20, 2010 was a beautiful sunny warm evening, perfect for a summer BBQ! Thanks to all of you who attended this year's AWS BBQ, both current and new members, and we would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Australian High Commissioner, Justin Brown and his wife Caroline Linke who graciously hosted the event, as well as donating the lovely white and rose wine which was enjoyed by all. Special thanks goes out to Melissa Fransen and Carrie McKay for their assistance in the planning of the event, to Ivan Klobucar of Angoves Wines for the donation of the Red Belly Black Shiraz which was enjoyed by all guests, to fellow AWS member Beth Mackay for her exceptional calligraphy on the individual wine tags for all guests and to all the AWS Board Members who were an invaluable assistance throughout the evening.

The evening started in the side garden where we sipped some lovely Peter Lehann 2009 Layers White Blend while enjoying Grilled Lobster Cocktails with mango and Coconut Milk and Summer Spring Rolls with papaya, Kaikon and minted Yogurt.

The evening then continued in the main garden, where we were treated to Sandlford Rose, 2009, while we sipped Watermelon, Mint and Creme aiche and Corn and Buttermilk chilled soups followed by Grilled Tiger Prawns, Scallops and Salmon accompanied by Ginger/ Coriander/Chipotle Aioli, Chilli Sambal and Citrus Dipping Sauces.

Next came the Proteins for the evening which were Lamb Sliders with Tomato Ketchup and Buttermilk Fried Chicken as well as the salads which were Grilled new Potato Salad with Smoked peppers, Mushrooms and Double Smoked Bacon, Grilled Caesar Salad with Blue Benedictine and Art-is-in Croutons and Grilled Peach and Watermelon Salad with Toasted Almonds and Honey Yogurt. The red wines that were served during the event were Jeanneret Grenache Shiraz 2004, Mount Langi Ghiran Billi Billi 2001, Penley Estate 2000, Shiraz Cabernet and Angoves Red Belly Black Shiraz 2008. The evening finished with Pascale tasty ice cream treats which included Chocolate, Banana and Baileys and Salted Caramel.

The wonderful creative menu for the evening was provided by and served by Zest Catering, an impressive new catering company located in Ottawa and owned by Janet and Gil Roberge. Zest was incredibly honoured to have been chosen to cater this years annual AWS BBQ and wine pairing event. Gil was in his culinary heaven to have his creations complemented by such fantastic wine choices. It was a magical night!

Again, many thanks for making this such an enjoyable event, on behalf of my fellow AWS Board Members, it is always a pleasure to enjoy your friendly company while enjoying wonderful food and of course wonderful Aussie wines! We look forward to seeing you at our next event in October 2010.

Heather Lockwood

Director at Large, Australian Wine Society



For more information on past events,
please consult the archived Newsletters.

April 29, 2010 -

ANZAC Day, Australia and New Zeland
Wine and Cheese Reception & Tasting

Thank you to all who attended this very sociable and fun event, it was a pleasure to introduce AWS Members and their guests to NZ High Comm, HE Andrew Needs and partner Bronwyn, Aust Dep High Comm, HE Julie Heckscher and Australian Defence Attache, LTC Jamie Patten-Richens.

The evening commenced by sipping some bubbly and being serenaded by Piper Jack Coghill followed by the scrumptious gourmet delights of Jacobsons (141 Beechwood Avenue, New Edinburgh); Susan, Tracey and Meghan know their cheeses! A variety of wines were sampled during the evening and then the opportunity to meet Nicole Vallee and Pierre Deschamps of Brix Magazine and hear about the launch of their new food, wine and travel magazine. Their upcoming edition is featuring Australian vineyards; This is a great read! Of course no ANZAC event is complete without the infamous Bundaberg Rum, to those who dared (which was impressive) this was the evening's night cap.

Maureen Murphy took some great photo images of the evening so please view the following link:

ANZAC Event Photos

Again, many thanks for making this such an enjoyable event, on behalf of my fellow AWS Board Members, it is always a pleasure to enjoy your friendly company followed by Aussie wine and of course lots of laughter!

Cheers to all,
Karina.

Please find information of wines with food pairings from Jacobsons Gourmet Concepts.

WOLF BLASS GOLD LABEL SPARKLING PINOT NOIR/CHARDONNAY 2005
VINTAGES 606285 / Price: $ 19.95
South Australia, Australia
Tasting Note
This delicious sparkler is made from Pinot Noir with 30% Chardonnay. It is a rich and mousse-y bubbly that expresses leesy aromas with plenty of honey and crushed floral, red berries and nectarine with talc and straw undertones. The palate has a kiss of berry sweetness, a creamy edge with a bright citric core. Crisp and fresh! (Daenna Van Mulligen, www.winescores.ca, July 28, 2009).

SLEEPING DOGS CHARDONNAY, 2007, NZ - Paired with Chateau Bourgogne, Baguette with strawberries
VINTAGES 0160432 / $22
Central Otago, South Island, Blair Gunn Block
New Zealand
Tasting Note
Intense, fleshy wine that's a mix of white peach, mineral and lemon fruit together with a complexing cut of rich toasty oak, sizzled butter and bready yeast lees. It's a bold and appealing mix with good weight and a bone dry finish. Score - 4 Stars (out of 5). (Bob Campbell, MW, www.bobswinereviews.com, April 2009).

WILD ROCK ELEVATION SAUVIGNON BLANC 2008, NZ - Paired with Roue de Carne, Fig Crackers & Mango Chutney
VINTAGES 142828 | Price: $ 16.95
Marlborough, New Zealand
Tasting Note
... Wild Rock's 2008 'Elevation' Sauvignon Blanc offers an unusual take on sauvignon, the country's most important variety. With grapes sourced from the Marlborough region, Wild Rock offers a softer, rounder take on sauvignon by adding small amounts [of] two other white varieties -- viognier (5 percent) and riesling (4 percent). The wine has less of the grassiness that is the trademark of New Zealand sauvignon. Fruitier in character, it shows notes of pear, apple and lime with the same piercing acidity that makes New Zealand sauvignons so quaffable ... (Edward Deitch, today.msnbc.msn.com, April 17, 2009).

KIM CRAWFORD PINOT NOIR 2008, NZ - Paired with Morbier, Rosemary Dynamite & Fruit for cheese
New Zealand High Commission Cellar
VINTAGES 626390 / Price: $ 19.95
Marlborough, New Zealand
Tasting Note
This is an amiable, all-purpose pinot to serve as a sipper or with lighter meals. Lovely focused if simple red cherry fruit, with well integrated spices and herbs. A bit like gamay with peppery notes. Very well balanced, dry with some drying tannin. Very good length with tomato, cranberry and herbs on the finish. Very good to excellent length.
Score - 89. (David Lawrason, www.winealign.com, July 2009).

ELDERTON SHIRAZ FRIENDS VINEYARD SERIES, 2004 - Paired with Prestige, Dynamite & Fig Fruit
Australian High Commission Cellar
Price: not available
Barossa Valley, Australia
Style: The wine is made in the Elderton style of being big, soft, rich and juicy. The fruit is sourced from friends vineyards in the Barossa, other than the Elderton Estate. It has developed further complexity from 8 months maturation in American and a little touch of French oak puncheons.
Tasting Note
In typical Barossa style, the wine shows both power and refinement. The wine starts off seductively earthy but then turns to glorious crushed berries, chocolate and hints of plums and vanilla. The small percentage of Mataro (also known as Mouvedre) is used to give the wine a silky taste and texture. The wine shows plenty of flesh and good concentration and drinks well today but can be cellared into the mid term.

WESTERN RANGE LOT 88, CAB SHIRAZ, 2003 - Paired with Baluchon, Charcoal Crackers & Pear, Apple & Ginger Chutney
Australian Wine Society Cellar - $16.95
Margaret River, Western Australia
Tasting Note
Medium bodied, the tighter structure of Cabernet Sauvignon has been blended with the slightly rounder and softer style of Shiraz, to produce an approachable wine displaying soft sweet tannins with dark cherry and plum flavours.

KIM CRAWFORD MERLOT, 2007 NZ - Paired with Grand Affineur, Fennel Cracker & Asian Pears
VINTAGES 680967 | Price: $ 19.95
Marlborough, New Zealand
Tasting Note
This stylish merlot made me think of Pomerol (merlot's Bordeaux homeland) for its ripe fruit and smooth, quite elegant build. Look for generous ripe black cherry fruit flecked with herbs, spice and a touch of cedar from new French oak barrels. Some sensual chocolate as well. It's medium-full, rounded and warm with a touch of sourness. Still holding its youthful tannin but not the least austere. Excellent length. Score - 90. (David Lawrason, www.winealign.com, July 2009).

HARES CHASE RED BAROSSA BLEND, 2003 - Paired with Queso de Valedon, Baguette & Pear Chutney
Australian Wine Society Cellar / $20
Barossa Valley, South Australia
Tasting Note This red blend of Shiraz 63%, Merlot 25%, Caberent Franc 10%, Cabernet Sauvignon 1% and Tempranillo 1% exhibit the full, rich, ripe flavours for which the Barossa Valley is famous.

BUNDABERG RUM
Available now in Alberta
Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia
Tasting Note
Dark Rum, not for the faint hearted. If you like vegemite chances are you will like Bundy Rum :-) It's an acquired taste.

February 2010 - AWS Winter Celebration - La Roma

January 2010 - Australia Day Gala - Royal Ottawa Golf Club

December 2009 - Seasonal Light Evening - Marriott Hotel

October 2009 - Experience Victoria's Wineries, exclusive wine tasting and seminar - Restaurant International, Algonquin College

July 2009 - Summer BBQ - High Commissioner's residence

June 2009 - Annual General Meeting - Vendange Institute

May 2009 - Cuisine, Passions, & Australian Wines - Cuisine & Passions

April 2009 - Australia & New Zealand Wine Tasting - Jacobsons

March 2009 - Premium Tasting - Vendange Institute

February 2009 - Fall in Love with an Australian Red - The Buzz

January 2009 - Australia Day Gala - Parliament Hill

December 2008 - Festive Dinner - Crown Plaza

October 2008 - Australia vs. Italy - L'Ange

September 2008 - Taste of Barossa with Grant Burge - Signature Le Cordon Bleu

August 2008 - BBQ at the High Commissioner's Residence

July 2008 - Happy Hour on the Rideau Canal - Paul's Boat Cruise

June 2008 - Annual General Meeting Wine Tasting - Vendange Institute

May 2008 - Fabulous Fizz and Film!!! - SAW Gallery

April 2008 - Anzac Day Wine & Cheese - Jacobsons

March 2008 - A Taste of Western Australia! - One Fish Two Fish

February 2008 - Voluptuous Valentine Celebration for the Epicurean in Us All! - Anthony's on Elgin

January 2008 - Australia Day Black-Tie Gala - Rideau Club

December 2007 - AWS Christmas Gala Lunch - West End Station Bistro

November 2007 - BIG RED Wine Blind Tasting - Art Mode

September 2007 - Wine and a movie - Vendange Institute

August 2007 - Annual AWS Summer BBQ - Residence of the Australian High Commissioner

June 2007 - Annual General Meeting - Vendange Institute

May 2007 - AWS Spring Dinner - Britannia Yacht Club

April 2007 - ANZAC Day event - Jacobsons

March 2007 - Anything but the usual

February 2007 - Big Reds for your Valentine

January 2007 - Australia Day Black Tie Gala Event

December 2006 - Christmas Treasures at Truffle Treasures

November 2006 - Peter (Lehmann) at La Pergola

October 2006 - Australia vs. Argentina at Bistro 110

September 2006 - 'Uncover Australia' at Vittoria Cafe Italia

August 2006 - Annual Aussie BBQ

June 2006 - Annual General Meeting at the Vandange Institute

May 2006 - Wines of Western Australia at Il Negozio Nicastro

April 2006 - Angove's Wine Tasting at Allegro

March 2006 - 'Spring Into Spring' Wine & Cheese at Vitoria Cafe Italia

February 2006 - Australia vs. Chile Wine Challenge

January 2006 -  'Australia Beyond Shiraz' at The Courtyard

 

June 2004 - Aussie Wines for an Ottawa

May 2004 - Launch of the Australian Wine Society of Ottawa at the residence of the Australian High Commissioner, HE Tony Hely