A unique terroir:
It is overlooked that the continent of Australia was forged at the beginning of Earth's formation in the Archaean period with some of the oldest rocks in the world (3.7 billion years old) and special rock "windows" that tell us about the geological age of the planet, and the origins of life.
Almost all the rock in the Clare Valley is of sedimentary origin, from a period between 800 and 500 million years ago, during the Neoproterozoic era, the receding oceans and glacial movements that linked Australia with Antarctica deposited silt, sand and carbonate in a largely marine sedimentary basin, forming chalk, limestone, sandstone and shale with top-soils rich in minerals.
Eroded over the passage of time with tectonic plate movements, mountains and ranges, such as Mount Horrocks and the Clare Valley's U-shaped ranges were created with Watervale at the apex.
The limestone substrata and terra rossa soils of the relatively little-known Watervale region, in Clare Valley, yield distinctive minerally and succulent Rieslings and Semillons, and intensely flavoured yet elegant reds with Mount Horrocks unquestionably the benchmark for Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.
For more information visit www.mounthorrocks.com
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Owner/winemaker, Stephanie Toole, crafts some of Australia’s most individual wines, her unique Cordon Cut Riesling unparalleled and arguably the finest dessert-style wine of its type in the world. Indeed, it was served to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at her official 80th birthday luncheon; follow this hyperlink for an interesting read on this www.thewanderingpalate.com/2006_jul_22.html
Samia Ahad is Singapore’s virtuoso of Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines combining tradition with contemporary flare. Following on from our most enjoyable Schubert Wines dinner held Coriander Leaf, we have chosen her other venue, The Screening Room www.screeningroom.com.sg to take advantage of their private room and screening facilities to include a visual presentation, narrated by Stephanie. There is also the tranquil rooftop bar which we will sip a refreshing glass of Watervale Riesling before dinner. Samia has designed a tantalizing menu inspired by her recent travels to Morocco:
Choukchouka on Pita Crisps
Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato tangy & smoky dip
2008 Mount Horrocks Watervale Riesling
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Pastilla
Phyllo Pastry layers of different tastes & textures - Herbed Chicken & Almonds - Chicken flavoured with coriander leaves, parsley and a hint of lemon - Toasted Almonds with a bit of sugar
2006 Mount Horrocks Watervale Riesling
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Pumpkin Soup scented with Ras al Hanout
Extremely rich and creamy, cooked in milk with the Moroccan spice Ras al Honout
enhanced by sharp flavours of nutmeg & cloves
2007 & 2005 Mount Horrocks Watervale Semillon
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Tagine Barragog with Buttered Rice
Tagine of Lamb with Prunes & Apricots & Preserved Lemon
2006 Mount Horrocks Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
2005 & 2006 Mount Horrocks Clare Valley Shiraz
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Mahalabi
Creamy milk dessert garnished with Pistachios Candied Ginger & Pomegranate Molasses
2008 Mount Horrocks Clare Valley Cordon Cut Riesling |
