Hunter Valley

Sunday, 31 May 2015

The last day of autumn and it RAINED!  Very heavy rain during the night continued until mid-morning, with the sky remaining very overcast and threatening all day, with a corresponding drop in temperature as well.

With great excitement on Cat’s part, we set out late this morning to visit a couple of wineries, with our first stop at Lindeman’s.  With so many wineries to choose from, we decided to stick to a couple of labels we are familiar with.  Being early in the day and unpleasant weather, there was only one other small group at our first stop, so the nice man was very helpful – and generous with his offerings.  Nor did the offerings stop, more and more bottles were produces for “just a taste.”  Fortunately, the nominated driver exhibited great self control.  It was at this point that I realised the camera was still sitting on top of the frig in the caravan – which might have been just as well!  Our next stop was at the village bakery to buy some bread rolls to soak up some of the alcohol before visiting McGuigan’s.  I think the nice lady in this winery must have been related to the nice man at the previous winery.  Once again, we did our bit to help the Hunter Valley economy.

With the morning well past, our next decision was where to have lunch.  Peterson’s Winery, which specialised in sparkling wines, also had a restaurant attached.  After discovering that this was mainly occupied by young girls enjoying their bubbles and talking loudly and shrilly, plus at least a 20 minute wait for a table, we decided to check out the Muse Restaurant at Hungerford Hill across the road.  So glad we did – it was superb.  The service commenced with the door being held open for us to enter, a completely different type of clientele, lovely décor, silver service …  After being shown to a table and offered water, a different waiter arrived with the menus and wine list – we had a choice of two or three courses.  We both decided on a main course and dessert.

While waiting for our first course, a waitress came round with breads, served with silver fork and spoon - some sort of "ordinary" bread plus a caramelised onion brioche.  These were replaced after we had eaten them, of course.  The butter was a special house blend with garlic and olives (I think).  Next, we were brought a large wafer thing with sumac on the top, a sipper of mushroom tea (yuck) and in individual bowls of seeds and spices, a spiced maccaron (for him) and pork crackling with apple and fresh ginger sauce (for me, as the maccaron had chilli in it).  Yummo!  I had seared scallops with crumb sprinkles served with clam butter, tamarind paste, rolls of canteloupe and honeydew, as well as nasturiums.  Himself had pink lamb with roasted sweet potato, lentils done a special way and some dark green paste stuff, with fluffy goat cream (or something like that).  Every part of the dish was explained in detail.  Naturally, to refresh our place, we were offered a clear jelly of rhubarb and goat whey with lemon sorbet.  We both had the same dessert - caramel with chocolate sorbet, meringue shards, fresh figs, caramelised date, nuts and croutons in something scattered around the dish.  Needless to say, I wont be preparing an evening meal.

Cat has retired to bed with a headache.