Up up and away...

New South Wales ended up being the topic of today, thanks to James Gosper of Wine Australia. The James Busby Travel 2011 crew has officially landed in Sydney!

The goal of today was introductory. Brunch at Bills's seemed so right and so Sydney. Those corn fritters were flying around with the most gorgeous flat white's. It was a great feet on behalf of the staff to fit us in and to accommodate as they normally do not take any bookings on weekends. So please share a hands of applause to the extraordinary friendly team on Crown Street. 

                                           Yes, to die for

                                           The crew

A great start, followed by meeting up with James - Mr. Wine Australia after Paul Henry. His background being as chief winemaker at Chandon and as marketing director for Moet Chandon New York, he felt eager getting back to his roots in Sydney. First dinner excited us quite rightly ascending on The Thai House - a traditional northern country kinda cooking with (cough) BYO. Apparently it's pretty hip to eat this cuisine in town and it doesn't disappoint, just surprise. Deep fried fermented fish and dill got me quite confused as to which country I was in. Normally or most knowingly, which country do you associate fish and dill with?

Well either way, gracefully shown by James and Tim, we tried a range of different styles. Mainly focusing on NSW. Here's what was saying hello:

Chandon Brut

Freeman Pinot Gris Plus. Fortuna  - 09;  Cool Hilltop region. 30 year old vines with low yields, producing a textural and balanced wine. (Plus = Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and aleatico)  

Uberblanc, Riesling, Tazmania - 07:
 - (Sure it's not SB?) Green nettle noted on nose and palate. Fresh and detailed.

Freeman, Rondinella and Corvina, Secco (traditionally dried grapes) - 07. 

It ages for a few years then settles in to a "suspended animation". This wine can age further. Not great complexity, but fab dried fruit aromas with balanced savoury oak.

A. Reitief, Savignon Blanc and Semillon - 10, Canberra; Nice texture and mouthfeel. With some green notes.

Then Andrew W. Thomas, who made wine at Tyrrell's! Focusing on freshness, pureness; great detail and structure - restrained use of new oak with minimal intervention.

Eden Road. Tumbarumba chardonnay - 08:  Great structure, focus and austerity.

x Charlotte