those aussies...

i've probably not mentioned this before, but one of my best friends is australian. she's been in NYC on & off since 2004. it's funny because i didn't know many australians before her. but now it seems australia is taking great strides to be in the spotlight. not only do i have this aussie best friend, but one of my good friends is dating an aussie model. i recently read an article about the culinary explosion in sydney. and saturday night, i had an australian wine that is my favorite wine of right now.

much to my S.O.'s dismay, the bottle is a screw-top, but the wine is outstanding (and inexpensive!!). it's super crispy, light-medium bodied with citrus, green apple and floral flavors and minerally finish that's just yum. i haven't mastered the wine pairing with food, but this went just fine with my artichoke salad (good not great), braised veal breast (loved the mushrooms and sweetbread, veal was good but overly rosemaried) and potato gnocchi side dish (amazingly delicious and light) at hearth. so a shout-out to our waitress who highly recommended it.

ps - we also tried this amazing cheese grayson from virginia - i'll have to find more and try it again. of the desserts - the buttermilk panna cotta was quite tasty (the pink peppercorns really gave it a zing), whereas the mango tarte tatin was left in the dust.

kaesler old vine semillon 2006 (barossa valley, south australia)

hearth
403 east 12th street (at 1st ave)
new york, ny 10009
646/602.1300