WanderCurtis Wine

Wine tastings, corporate events, reviews and recommendations

Tag Archives: food-and-wine


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The Settlers Tavern, Margaret River.

Many of the wineries in the Margaret River region have excellent restaurants but these are normally only open at lunchtime. Great for combining a visit to the winery, a taste through the wines and a scenic lunch in the Vineyard, but what do you do in the evening?


The answer turned out to The Settlers Tavern in the town of Margaret River itself. It is very popular so you need to book but once you’re in, there’s a great menu ranging from something light like fish tacos (if you’ve already had a big lunch) through to a 300 g rump steak if you need it. Best of all they have an incredible fine wine list with a large number served by the glass either from their enomatic machine or via Coravin for their list of ‘Premium and Iconic’ wines.

I had a glass of Cullen ‘Grace Madeline’ Wilyabrup Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon blend. At a Liberty Wines tasting in London Vanya Cullen explained that this wine was inspired by Haut-Brion Blanc which counts as one of the most amazing whites I’ve ever been lucky enough to try.  This homage is stunning; aromatic but smoky, full of energy but also substance and delicious.

I also had a glass of Cullen ‘Diana Madeline, 2012 which was still perfumed, with black currant and capsicum and lovely earth and leathery notes.

We didn’t manage to visit Cullen winery and I love their wines and their biodynamic and carbon neutral approach to wine making. This made up for it though!


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Cantele Wines of Puglia, Italy with Umberto Cantele, Wednesday January 24th

Umberto Cantele third generation of Cantele Wines of Puglia hosted this memorable evening at Fredericks a day before Burns night 2024.

Adam, his father and brother visited Umberto at Cantele winery in Salento a few years ago and have been long planning this dinner.

The whole family is involved in the business. They have 50 hectares of their own vineyards and manage a further 150 hectares. Their primary focus is on local native grapes of the region, including Primitivo, Negroamaro and Susumaniello for the red wines, and Verdeca and Malvasia Bianca for the whites. The winery also produces pure expressions of international varieties such as Chardonnay.

Aperitif

2022 Verdeca, Cantele, Puglia Stone fruit with ice texture and medium acidity

With Starter

2021 Teresa Manara IGT Salento Chardonnay

2021 Teres Manara Vendemmia Tardiva Chardonnay The star of the show tonight

rich textured beautiful oak integration caramel vanilla butter stone fruit

With maim

2021 Amativo, Cantele, Puglia lovely blend of NegroAmaro and Primitivo delicious rich black fruits hints of smoke and choclate

2022 Primitivo Puglia IGP, Cantele

Thanks to the crowd of 31 who braved dry January. Special thanks to Umberto who gave us great insight into his family winery and brought his Italian warmth to a London January.


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Epice restaurant, Franschhoek, South Africa

The restaurant name means spice that that is exactly what you get but in the most amazingly nuanced and innovative way.

I hate to say it was a ‘journey’, as that word is so overused, but the tasting menu with wine pairing really was quite an experience. The theatrics of table side prep, and wafts of dry ice all helped but the food was just incredibly complex and delicious.

For me the stand out dish was the normally humble bread course. First a large brass plate is sprinkled with spices: caraway, cumin, coriander, turmeric, black pepper and more, then warm wagyu dripping is poured over it. I had to soak up every drop with the bread it was so good.  Actually the pairing with this was a wheat beer which worked very well.

Every member of the team was warm and friendly and super attentive. Book ahead to make sure to get a table, you do not want to miss out.

Link to Epice.


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Osteria Fernanda, & Osteria Giulia Rome

A cab ride from the ancient centre of Rome this restaurant is located on the ground floor of decidedly unhistoric looking apartment block, 1980’s at a guess! One wonders if you are in the right place.

This is obviously not the Osteria but the incredible Pantheon on the Piazza della Rotonda

However the interior is very stylish with tall shelves of wine lining the walls, wooden tables and simple lamps hanging from the tall ceiling.

This is the place to come for contemporary Italian food, a great tasting menu and a superb wine list.

Worth the journey.

Link to Osteria Feranda website.

Osteria Giulia is within walking distance of the Pantheon but again slightly off piste. The food as well as the decor is also contemporary and the atmosphere friendly and relaxed. Ask for by the glass wine pairing with your meal and the waiters will happily do this for you.

We also ate at a couple of the many restaurants lining Piazza della Rotonda and Piazza Navona where you can sit outside and enjoy the very scenic outlook and soak in the atmosphere but for great food and wine you need to explore further afield.