Rob Dolan Wines The Pairing Method 2024
The evening at Rob Dolan Wines for the fourth installment of The Pairing Method 2024 at The Farmhouse was nothing short of spectacular. Sam and I were invited along to this highlight on the calendar experience.
This generous fun event, dedicated to reverse-engineering meals to pair perfectly with specific wines, featured five exceptional wines and three courses, beginning with a warm welcome and a glass of exceptional Rob Dolan Blanc de Blanc on the epic verandah.
The night was elevated by Meg Brodtmann, Master of Wine, whose wine tasting session with the White Label Rob Dolan Chardonnay was both enlightening and entertaining. Meg's deep dive into the structure, flavor, and aroma of wines, coupled with tips on the best ways to taste wine—including the "palate weight" and the "dribble test" to assess acidity—was next level.
A highlight of the evening was the exploration of the Rob Dolan Black Label Barbera, known for its soft, velvety texture and great tannins. We embarked on a journey to pair this wine with various sweet, sour, salt, fat, savoury, spice, bitter, herb and umami ingredients at stations around the room for the chance to win a Magnum. Suffice to say I didn't win the Magnum but managed to score a few of Tyson's ingredients in my list.
Tyson Bertoncello, from the renowned O.My (two hats) and @iliketoomuch, presented a spectacular pasta entrée. His ability to incorporate funky ingredients, including maple syrup, into a cohesive and delicious dish was a marvel. This year, Tyson decided what was best, and we were tasked with identifying which ingredients matched the wine.
Kudos to Executive Chef Anthony Cutajar for his sensational Smoked pork belly with black garlic sauce, perfectly paired with the Rob Dolan Black Label Tempranillo. He has been a rock star across the four years of this event.
The evening concluded on a sweet note with a funky Petit Fours dessert paired with the Rob Dolan Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc, a fitting end to a night of culinary and vinous delights. I need to mention that the Rob Dolan wines themselves are always premium and great value. We loved the 4 wines of the night and we are regular drinkers of Rob Dolan wines during the year.
Special thanks to the Rob Dolan Wines staff, including Meg Brodtmann for her expert tasting insights, and Amanda Quinless from the Cellar Door for her impeccable organizational skills.
The Pairing Method at The Farmhouse was once again a night to remember.