A night of food and hardy wines

It is a busy time for many people, what with the holidays fast approaching. It is a time for parties, gatherings, exchanging of gifts and lots of merrymaking. Often times it is difficult to find a wine that is  reasonably prized in the market and can satisfy large groups of people. Let us look no further.

Future Trade International brings  Hardy’s stamp wines from Australia  today at the grand ballroom of the Casino Español de Cebu.

William “Bill” Hardy, the second of four sons of Thomas Walter Hardy and Barbara Rosemary Hardy  is a fifth generation descendant of Thomas Hardy who created the wine business in 1853.  “Bill” Hardy  will be in Cebu to personally greet wine connoisseurs and lovers of the good life to an evening that promises to be an unforgettable experience.

The gastronomic feast will  have for starters Guacamole, smoked salmon, anchovy and red pepper toast, Buffalo cheese, selection of cured meat, prawns, mussels and oysters and sushi bar. There will be three  main action stations that will serve  roasted U.S. Angus prime chuck roll of beef with red wine reduction, roasted Australian leg of lamb, roasted herbs whole chicken stuffed with ham steak rice and hammour fillet with anchovy garlic butter sauce. A delectable dessert buffet will feature chocolate mousse, frozen custard with crema Catalan liquor  and a selection of cheeses.

The following wines will compliment a sumptuous dinner meticulously planned by GM Ed Tongco:

Hardys Nottage Hill Chardonnay Brut – a dry, but fruity sparkling wine, representing great value for money. Enticing apple and apricot notes, with gentle acidity and a soft finish.

Hardys Nottage Hill Chardonnay –  The wine was cold fermented in stainless steel tanks to retain true varietal characteristics. The aroma is filled with refreshing calamansi and pineapple notes. The fresh, light palate brings a balance of mango, pineapple and citrus, with hints of cashew nuts.

Hardys Nottage Hill Shiraz – The wine is classic shiraz. Black pepper mingles with aromas of blueberries, plum, cinnamon, vanilla and chocolate. The palate displays plum, chocolate and spice. The long finish is soft and filled with fruit.

Hardys Oomoo Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre – This multiple award-winning wine is a 100 percent McLaren Vale Shiraz. James Halliday, the famous writer on Australian wines, rates the wine with 94 points, stating that the wine represents “awesome value.”

Bill Hardy was educated at St. Peter’s College, Adelaide and the University of Adelaide, Australia where he graduated as Bachelor of Agricultural Science. He started with the family business as a trainee winemaker in 1972 and after an initial vintage at the company’s Tintara Cellars in Mclaren Vale, he traveled to Bordeaux in France to undertake the Diplome National d’Oenologue at the Universite de Bordeaus, graduating Majeur, (dux) of his year. He then returned to Australia to become winemaker at the family company’s Tintara Cellars.

His wine making responsibilities included supervision of vintage operations at the regional sites at Waikerie and Padthaway, coordination of the rebuilding of the winemaking and distillation facilities at the Thomas Hardy headquarters at Reynella, and overseeing all fortified wine and brandy production for the company.

When the company established a base in France by acquisition of Domaine de la Bame in the Languedoc-Roussillon area in 1990, Bill was a natural choice to manage this project during the early year of establishment and growth.

Bill Hardy is currently the Hardy Wine Company Corporate Oenologist, dealing with technical communications and activities involving the wine trade, media clients, staff and the public–both in Australia and around the world.

The Stamp label from Hardy’s winery is a fairly new offering in the country but it has been quite successful in its native Australia for years.

The gourmet dinner and wine pairing promises to be an interesting, educational and enjoyable evening of fun, fellowship and fine food.