Chill out, cookout, Australian style

The night was more than a chill-out party. It was a celebration of wines and beers from Down Under, served up with some grilled temptations and feel-good music. That night, we were enjoying a chill- out, cookout affair at the Splash Pool Bar & Grill of New World Hotel, Makati, hosted by Future Trade International, among the top wine distributors in the country. Serious as they’ve always been about wine, they were definitely serious about fun that night, too!

So here I am, sipping on a glass of crisp Riesling Gewurztraminer wine. It’s a Hardy’s specialty, something this winemaker has taken pride in making for years. There’s a great interplay of apple and pear in the tongue. And pairing it with some grilled seafood — squid, fish, and prawns — is definitely a cool idea. Other than this, there’s also some good fruity Lindemans Bin 65 Chardonnay that leaves some fruity notes on the palate.

For the evening, Future Trade International also serves up three of its favorite reds from Australia, coming from three of the most successful Australian winemakers known today. First is Penfolds Rawson’s Retreat Merlot. The wine is seductively berry-rich, with a good amount of body. Penfolds has been making wines since 1845 and one can expect nothing less than a good time in every bottle.

Another name that’s undeniably popular is Rosemount, which presents its fruity blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot. Its fruity and earthy notes linger on the palate. I can see myself enjoying this even on warm summer evenings. 

An Australian wine selection will never be complete without a fruity, spicy bottle of shiraz. Tonight, everyone is treated to Lindemans Bin 50 Shiraz — it’s full berry, pepper and spice, and everything nice.

Now, as much as everyone is enjoying a series of wines, we’re also feasting on three premium Australian beers, alongside a host of grilled sausages and potato salad. There’s Foster’s, a light beer that’s perfect for easy drinking. There’s also the Crown Lager, brewed originally to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. It’s quite a strong beer that pairs well with a hearty schublig or other grilled meats. Lastly, there’s Victoria Bitter (VB) beer, a full-strength beer with good body and taste.

You never really go wrong with good food and a good drink. And for any chill-out, cookout of your own in the future, you might want to consider serving some of these drinks to add flavor and fun to the occasion. Wine not!