Phew, it’s over two months since the G’rogger team relocated Down Under and in that time we have drunk an absolute shitload of $8 clearskin chardonnay (we’ll do a proper clearskin review in the near future).
However, to celebrate our anniversary we booked into Marque restaurant for the testing menu and matched wines – a sumptuous ‘fahn dahning’ experience of delicious, distinct flavours and delectable wines. We won’t go into a full review, but suffice to we have never before had to distinguish between bone marrow and sea urchin on the same plate.
Of the wines, all but one were European and the exception was from New Zealand. And exceptional it was. Paired with lightly curry-spiced sea bream, polenta and a bitter lemon/grapefruit curd, the 2009 Marlborough pinot blanc from Pyramid Valley Vineyards was rich, floral with a hint of sherry-ish oxidisation that belied its young age.
The label was our favourite of the evening, the simple type and illustration reminding us of the i-Spy books that accompanied many of us on trips around the British countryside.
We can thoroughly recommend a trip to Marque for a special occasion. However, having been, we will now have to downgrade to the $6 clearskins.
Thanks to Mise en Bouteille for the images. Different wine, but the label’s the same.
