A wealth of wine knowledge at Windows

Tuesday, 5 June, 2001 - 22:00
THERE’S something elegant about winter and its long, sit-down dinners. The romance of the rain while sitting among fellow wine lovers culminates in an evening of gourmet indulgence.

Learning about wine from the winemakers themselves, and celebrating the creations of some of Perth’s best chefs, would rate as one of the best evenings a wine connoisseur can attend.

Famous for intimate sit-down dinners is none other than the Gold Plate Award winning Windows Restaurant at the Burswood Resort. The Windows Signature series is under way, and assistant manager John Pauquelet says the series is part of the restaurant’s aim to provide every patron with “a truly unforgettable culinary experience”.

To do this, he needs to create a unique and inviting environment.

“We have managed to capture that uniqueness with the Windows Signature Series by inviting some of Western Australia’s most prestigious wineries to showcase their exclusive wine collections,” he says.

Showcasing the series this month is Xanadu, which will join Mr Pauquelet and the Windows team to present guests with a night of spectacular food joined with the vineyard’s famous wines.

Head chef Joahnn Tucher will prepare the evening’s menu. The four course al a carte menu includes oven-roasted quail, smoked salmon and other delicacies typical of this fine dining establishment.

Xanadu produces 11 varieties of wine under the labels Secession, Lagan Estate and Xanadu, and has won numerous awards and accolades over the past few years, including the George Mackey Memorial Trophy for best wine exported from Australia for the 1998 Chardonnay.

Xanadu chief wine maker Glenn Goodall will be at the Signature Series function to share his expertise in producing these famous wines.

Join him and John Pauquelet for a night of gourmet delight.

Guests will receive a complimentary Riedel Vinum glass and, as with most ‘meet the maker’ dinners, places are limited.

To reserve your seat at this luxury dinner table call reservations on 9362 7551.

Tickets cost $135 each.





The Star Bistro is hosting a sit-down dinner of a different style. Their first “Chef’s Table Dinner” breaks from the traditional formal speech approach, with the bistro opting to seat winemakers at every table to guide guests through their wine tastings and answer any questions.

The wines to be paired with Star Bistro’s exquisite menu will be from the prestigious Voyager Estate at Margaret River. To ensure there’s a Voyager winemaker at every table, there is a limit of 40 tickets for the evening, which will add a touch of intimate exclusivity.

Voyager Estate will have available the pre-release of the Tom Price Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 1997 and the Tom Price Cabernet Sauvignon 1994, as well as the award and trophy winning 1997, 1998, and 1999 chardonnays.

Bruce Chapman has prepared a six-course menu which has been “flavour matched” to the wines, ensuring the palate will be in culinary harmony.

Mr Chapman also will share his expertise, emerging from the kitchen to discuss the menu and, if you’re lucky, maybe some trade secrets. Coupled with the knowledge from the Voyager winemakers, this evening will be a wealth of knowledge.

The Chef’s Table Dinner will take place on Monday June 18 and the 40 available tickets are $100 each.





Also taking the formality out of the meet the maker dinner is Moss Wood Wines, which is asking you to bring your favourite bottle of their wine to the Duxton to enjoy cuisine prepared by executive chef Denis Boulet.

Keith Mugford will join tables in The Cove private dining room during the dinner to share stories and guide you through the wine tasting. He also will be previewing the yet-to-be released 1998 Moss Wood Cabernet.

The Moss Wood Dinner will be held at the Duxton on Tuesday June 12 and tickets are $65 each. For more information or to book your spot, phone 9388 9955.





In other wine tasting news, the Wine Industry Association of Western Australia will be showing the classic French region of Burgundy over three nights. Held on June 18, 25 and July 2, the sessions are aimed at identifying regional/village nuances.

Wines include Blain Gagnard- Batard Montrachet 1999, Armand Rousseau- ‘Clos de la Roche’ 1998 and Mongeard-Mugneret- Echezeaux ‘Vielles Vignes’ 1998 and many more.

The cost of the course is $260 and places are limited. For information phone the association on 9385 1699.





Francine’s café restaurant has opened its doors for business in the heart of Northbridge. Francine’s is located on the corner of William and James streets in Northbridge, where Tonic used to be. The owners have made it a comfortable place to sit back, relax and enjoy a coffee while the rat race passes by.