It's the classic question of what came first – the chicken or the egg? Do we pair food with wine, or wine with food? Rob Dolan Wines is hosting the ultimate dining experience to test the theory.
The Yarra Valley winery's The Pairing Method invites guests to create their own dish with 2-hatted chef Tyson Bertoncello (@iliketoomuch) from O.My restaurant to pair with Rob Dolan's pinot noir. Guests will be guided through various ingredients to test how well they match. Try flavours of acid (think balsamic vinegar and kimchi), herbs like mint and the ever-divisive coriander, prosciutto and capers for salt, and how could we forget umami – anyone for pinot noir and Vegemite?
After a welcome glass of Black Label Sparkling Blanc de Blanc, the session will kick off with a tasting of the White Label Chardonnay and White Label Pinot Noir hosted by Meg Brodtmann MW. Meg was the first female in Australia to pass the Master of Wine. Following the tasting, guests will explore each ingredient and unpack how they affect the characteristics of the wine. Using the key ingredients the group has selected chef Tyson will bring a dish to life in a live cooking masterclass.
Once you've devoured your custom-made entree, The Farm's executive chef Anthony Cutajar will serve a reverse-engineered dish using The Pairing Method. To match the Rob Dolan White Label Cabernet Sauvignon, Anthony has paired a slow roasted Southern Ranges porterhouse with cafe de Paris butter, Jerusalem artichoke and capers with a side of Mt. Zero wholegrain farro salad, tapenade, basil and goat's cheese.
The Two Barrel Batch Muscat will finish the culinary journey but not before a selection of the sweetest treats, which all feature flavours from the initial element tasting (read: coffee meringue with cardamom crème patisserie, black forest tartlets with sour cherries and house-made donuts oozing Nutella).
The Rob Dolan cellar door is located in Warrandyte South, just 30 minutes from Melbourne's CBD. There are six sessions running between June 1–30. Tickets are $160 per person and include five wines and three courses.
You can book your place here or visit robdolanwines.com.au for more information.
The Pairing Method dates:
June 04–05 (lunch)
June 18 (dinner), June 19 (lunch)
June 25 (dinner), June 26 (lunch)
