THE TASTE buds of the judges for this year’s Dookie Wine Show were dancing on Tuesday, with each of them giving their thoughts on the top drops submitted for the 15th year of the illustrious event.
Head judge, Simon Killeen, who is a fifth generation winemaker from Stanton and Killeen in Rutherglen, said, “From our first tastes, there are immediately a lot of good fresh wines. High calibre judges have been sourced from around the nation for this event and due to the quality of the wines, of all of the shows I’ve judged, Dookie Wine Show is one of my personal favourites.
“I believe the quality of reds, especially from Strathbogie is underrated. There is a really good spread of different styles with the cool climate resulting in elegant styles of Rieslings to full-bodied reds from the northern Goulburn Valley.”
Chair of the show, Paul Phillips said, “We have seen extremely high-quality white wines from Strathbogie Ranges and some of the reds this year are of interesting grape varieties. The Dookie Wine Show Dinner is always a real pleasure and tastings provide consumers with the chance to experience the quality of the local wine industry.
“In our 15th year, we have representation from 31 wineries with 104 entries. Traditionally the biggest class has been the Shiraz class which is still strong but this year an anomaly has occurred where class six, which is ‘other white wines’ has surpassed the Shiraz class…this has never happened before. White wine in this area is starting to get traction because people are producing more than ever, selling more and increasing varieties.
“The Dookie Wine Show dinner always proves to be a wonderful night out and sells out each year, so now’s a great time to book your ticket. The show has been well backed by the wine industry over the past 15 years with entries wavering between the mid-80s to 120. GOTAFE do an absolutely fantastic job. Always innovative and complimenting the wines on offer with local produce put together by local hospitality students from GOTAFE.”
The increase entries indicate the local wine industry is more buoyant.
Simon said, “The Dookie Wine Show seems to be bucking the trend with an increase in entries which is a sure indicator of growth in the local wine industry.”
GOTAFE have been involved with the Dookie Wine Show for the past 15 years, and use this event to provide learning outcomes for students who are studying hospitality tourism events and cookery.
This year’s Dookie Wine Show dinner will include six courses. GOTAFE trainer, Audrey Ash said, “This year in our menu we will be celebrating local Shepparton eating houses that were established prior to 1970 and remain to be an eating house to this day. 22 tables will be named after eating houses from years gone by and the menus will be a modern take on previous menus from these restaurants.”
Those interested in attending the Dookie Wine Show dinner on Tuesday, September 18 can book by calling GOTAFE on 1300 468 233. Bookings are essential. Call 1300 GOTAFE (468 233) or visit www.gotafe.vic.edu.au/campus-life/restaurants
