Welcome to our weekly series, Travel the Fest. We will showcase different countries featured in EPCOT’s Food + Wine Festival and share our picks for what to eat and drink. We hope you enjoy this series, and check back every Monday for the newest post!
Travel the Fest Week Three: Australia and New Zealand
Of the many places I have been lucky enough to visit, Australia is one of the few places I could picture myself living. I loved visiting New Zealand and would return again any time, but it is perhaps too remote for me to live. I took a wonderful month long trip that began in Auckland, New Zealand and ended in the Great Barrier Reef with many stops in between. I still remember the tremendous feeling of walking out of the airport in Auckland and knowing I was on the other side of the earth. After a couple days in Auckland, I cruised both islands of New Zealand. I hiked, jet boated, explored and had my first experience with Sounds. This was when I knew I wanted to visit as many Sounds and Fjords around the world as possible.
Auckland, New Zealand
Cruising through the Sounds was almost overwhelming. The beauty and grandeur combined with the music on the ship was a truly remarkable experience. After a week of New Zealand we crossed the Tasman Sea to Tasmania which was very exciting! We drove the entire island and even saw some Tasmanian Devils! They were mean and not nice to be around. However, the air walks, hiking and hanging with Koala Bears were fantastic. Another week of visiting the very cosmopolitan Melbourne and Sydney was a wonderful contrast to the open spaces and natural landscapes we had just experienced. The final stop was the incomparable Great Barrier Reef. Staying in Cannes while boating and snorkeling the best marine life I had ever seen was the perfect end to a magnificent journey.
Sydney, Australia
New Zealand opened my eyes to Sauvignon Blanc. We visited a winery and tasted many flavorful Sauvignon Blancs throughout the whole trip. Lamb is prevalent in New Zealand cuisine and pairs well with their wines. Australia was bursting with enjoyable, low cost wines and I found myself eating mostly seafood. The residents in both countries seemed fit which I can only imagine is attributed to the active, outdoor lifestyle!
Australia has been a popular booth at the fest for a many years. I do miss the Wine WalkABout. Does anyone remember that? The following are the offerings this year:
Food
- Grilled Sweet and Spicy Bush Berry Shrimp with Pineapple, Peppers, Onions and Snap Peas
- Grilled Lamb Chop with Mint Pesto and Potato Crunchies
- Lamington Yellow Cake Dipped in Chocolate and Shredded Coconut
Wine
- Coopers Brewery Extra Strong Vintage Ale
- Chateau Tanuda Grand Barossa Dry Reisling
- Bulletin Place Unoaked Chardonnay
- Yangarra Estate Vineyard Shiraz
New Zealand is another favorite that has been represented for several years at the Fest. The offerings this year include a brand new one:
Food
- Seared Venison Loin with Wild Mushroom Marsala Sauce and Kumara Dumpling — NEW!
- Steamed Green Lip Mussels with Garlic Butter and Toasted Bread Crumbs
- Lamb Meatball with Spicy Tomato Chutney Wine
Wine
- Kim Crawford Pinot Gris
- Brancott Estate® Flight Song™ Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
- Kim Crawford Chardonnay
- Nobilo Icon Pinot Noir
I will be having the Grilled Sweet and Spicy Bush Berry Shrimp with Pineapple, Peppers, Onions and Snap Peas paired with the Chateau Tanuda Grand Barossa Dry Reisling from Australia. I don’t usually like Riesling, but since it is dry this is a great time to try something different. I am so excited about this dish, that I put together a vegan inspired recipe using tofu “shrimp” that I will be posting soon. Even though I will not eat at New Zealand (too many choices!), I will stop to try the Nobilo Icon Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir is my new wine fascination and I am continually trying different winemakers.
