A winter wonderland month of food and wine at Centro CBD has attracted so much attention the Wollongong restaurant is planning to run the series again in 2019.
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In recent weeks some of Australian top wine makers have visited Wollongong to share their passion and numbers have steadily increased as word has spread.
Robert Specogna and Michael Arbelias started the degustation and wine tasting celebration with Barossa Valley’s Rolf Binder sharing his knowledge on June 20.
And concluded on Tuesday with Mark Messenger from Juniper Estate which produces nationally and internationaly.recognised wine in the Margaret River region.
“As a result of this dinner we have ordered the Chardonnay and the Cabernet Sauvignon to put on the menu,” Mr Specogna said.
“The whole series has gone magnificently. Everyone has really responded well. The have supported the winemakers and have loved the food. For sure this is something we will be doing on an annual basis now.”
Mr Specogna said the end of the winter festival of food and wine is making way for a series of concerts with Australian icons of the music industry.
“There are lots of them coming through. There is Glenn Shorrock, Wendy Matthews, Jon Stevens, Diesel and a Glen Campbell show. And The Animals are coming from the UK,” he said.
Mr Messenger said he had been coming to Wollongong to talk about wine for 12 years but on previous visits he had spoken at the old Oxford Hotel.
“I think it is a great concept Centro CBD has introduced this winter,” he said.
“They had done a wonderful pairing with the food and the wine. They have done their research and actually tasted the menu against the wines and the match has been beautiful.”
Mr Messenger said Wollongong was a good market for prestigious wineries from around Australia.
He said restaurants in the Illawarra had previously featured Juniper wine on their menus and independent stores such as Crown West Cellars have been good supporters over the years.
Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
