Regional Victorian produce and wines showcased for AIME 2012 at PM24

by Roderick Eime | Traveloscopy.com

Each year the world's conference and incentive buyers descend on Melbourne for the massive meetings and events expo, AIME.

This year the hosts (MCEC and MCVB (aka 'The Bureau')), treated media to a scintillating 10-course degustation dinner at PM24, where acclaimed French chef, Philippe Mouchel, is in residence. The Press Club Group restaurant opened to much fanfare in December 2010 and has become an instant sensation.

Philippe Mouchel welcomes his media guests

George Calombaris, at the helm of the Press Club Group’s success said at the time, “Philippe is a culinary legend… his passion and knowledge for food is amazing, I’m so happy he has joined us.” 

Along with intricate descriptions of each hand-crafted course from Philippe, head sommelier Tim Stow took us on a tantalising tour of his wine list and showcased some selections for the night's edible extravaganza.

Here is the special menu. (Read it and weep!) and Tim's showcase selection:

• Dominique Portet Sparkling Rose NV – Yarra Valley
• Bannockburn Sauvignon Blanc 2011 – Geelong
• Sorrenberg Chardonnay 2010 – Beechworth
• Williams Crossing Pinot Noir 2010 – Macedon
• Yeringberg Cabernet 2008 – Yarra Valley
• Bests Late Harvest Muscat 2010 – Great Western

I confess to being finicky with white wines, but both the Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc were superb. The Sorrenberg, in particular, having a rare creamy character not found in most wines of this type. The Williams Crossing pinot noir certainly reinforced the Macedon region's growing notoriety for cool climate excellence.

Tim has been with Philippe since the opening when the pair came over from the Brasserie by Philippe Mouchel at Crown Casino.

Despite travelling widely to such locales as Epernay, Reims, Bordeaux, Burgundy and Basque, Tim is unashamedly a Geelong boy who is quite upfront about his preference for local produce.

"I like to spend time at the wineries during vintage and I was at Paradise IV in Batesford and Curly Flat in Macedon recently. I like to see firsthand the character and craftsmanship of our regional wines."