“Growing up in one of Australia’s cool climate wine regions, we’re used to cold winter weather, and it’s also a good excuse to open a few delicious bottles of red to enjoy with friends”
Food these days has become much more about sharing, with tabletops of smaller plates designed to graze across. Wine is also starting to follow this trend, so we asked Caroline Brown, great granddaughter of Brown Brothers founder John Francis Brown, for some tips on throwing the perfect winter grazing dinner party. Caroline Brown pictured below left with Brown Brothers winemaker and sister Katherine Brown
FIRST (NATURALLY) THE WINE
“The Brown Brothers 1889 range is perfect for dinner parties because you can have a few different varietals on the table at once and mix and match to the variety of flavours of the meal,” says Brown. “The range is named after Brown Brothers first vintage in 1889 when my great grandfather made his first wine.”
TO START
“I always serve a bottle of our Prosecco to kick off any event. Its crisp and refreshing flavour makes it wonderful to match to shared starters, whether it’s a casual platter of nibbles on the table or canapes.”
MAIN
“I prefer less formal dinners, so a few salads, some roasted or BBQ veggies on the table and some meat to share is the ultimate way I like to eat with friends. My preference is slow cooked lamb as it’s super easy to cook and share. Then I love to put one of every bottle of the Brown Brothers 1889 range Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo and Merlot on the table and let my guests decide which wine and food match is their preference.
TO FINISH
“I’m not a huge dessert person, but I love some local cheese and a red wine cocktail like the Dark Empress (recipe below). It’s incredible, you can use a dry red such as merlot, or substitute it with our fruity Brown Brothers Cienna.
