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B L A C K B O A R D

FEBRUARY 2016 | ISSUE #108

Romance

13TH AND 14TH FEBRUARY | VALENTINE’S DAY | Esca Bimbadgen and Goldfish Bar and Kitchen | World class wine, award winning restaurants and picturesque views make the Hunter Valley the perfect place to spoil that special someone this Valentine’s Day. On Saturday and Sunday indulge with a 5 course degustation dinner at Esca Bimbadgen restaurant, commencing with a glass of Bimbadgen Sparkling on arrival and a special gift for your sweetheart. Only $100 pp or $130 with matching wines. Or enjoy a 4 course banquet menu to share with the one you love this Valentine’s Day at Goldfish Bar and Kitchen. Available for lunch or dinner for only $150 per couple or $230 per couple with matched wines and cocktails with each dish. For more information visit each venues website.

SATURDAY 27TH FEBRUARY | ROMEO AND JULIET - SHAKESPEARE IN THE VINES | Calais Estate | Under the setting sun, Essential Theatre will transform Calais Estate into the feuding streets of Verona when they present Romeo and Juliet. This heart breaking tale is one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays, and is by far one of the world’s greatest love stories. Gates will open at 4.30pm and there will be live music, food and drinks available with the performance commencing at 6.30pm. General Admission tickets available or enjoy Shakespeare in style with the VIP package that includes sparkling wine and canapes on arrival, a winery experience and long lunch with matching wines. Purchase tickets at www.ticketek.com.au

FRIDAY 5TH FEBRUARY | CINEMA UNDER THE STARS | Maitland Park, Maitland | Newcastle Permanent's Cinema Under the Stars is Australia’s largest regional outdoor cinema program and entry is FREE! So gather your friends and family together to relax with a picnic as the sun sets over Maitland Park and the screen lights up for ‘Inside Out’! Gates open at 5.30pm with a fantastic line-up of local entertainment that will have everyone up and dancing before the movie screening at sundown. Visit www.newcastlepermanent.com.au/cinema for more information.

SATURDAY 27TH FEBRUARY | ROB THOMAS | Hope Estate | Rob Thomas has had an ongoing, 20-year long, love affair with Australian audiences – both as the frontman, lead vocalist and key songwriter for Matchbox Twenty and also as a major solo artist. The romance is set to continue as Thomas makes a very welcome return down-under for a national headline tour. Joining Rob Thomas will be special guests Pete Murray and Darren Middleton. For more information visit www.hopeestate.com.au

26TH TO 28TH FEBRUARY | WOLLOMBI CLASSIC FILM FESTIVAL | Grays Inn and St Michael Church | The last weekend of summer will see the launch of an exciting new event in the heart of the historic village of Wollombi! Film buffs, or those just looking for a reason for a weekend away, will be treated to 6 classic films at 2 stunning venues. There will be a licensed bar selling local wine and craft beer, and as always in Wollombi, country hospitality will very much make the weekend one to remember. For more information visit www.wollombiclassicfilmfestival.com.au

SATURDAY 20TH FEBRUARY | A DAY ON THE GREEN WITH SIMPLY RED | Bimbadgen | Thirty years after introducing a generation to the joys of soul music through their rendition of the Valentine Brothers’ classic Money’s Too Tight (To Mention), Simply Red are back in February with a world tour and a brand new album, ‘Big Love’. The Big Love Tour will be supported by the fabulous Tina Arena, returning to the winery stages for the first time since 2010. Also performing, and making her a day on the green debut, will be Natalie Imbruglia. Simply Red, Tina Arena and Natalie Imbruglia – don’t miss this all-star line-up! For more information visit www.adayonthegreen.com.au

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It’s February… the month of love… and this annual “Romance” issue of the Hunter Blackboard has love written all over it (literally!).

Candle-lit dinners, wine tasting, balloon flights, picnicking and horse riding are just a few of the romantic offerings available and we’re also told that the Hunter Valley is one of the most popular (and most successful!) places to not only propose but also to tie the knot!

Romancing the Hunter Valley (on page 10) has plenty of tips for wooing that special someone – Hunter Valley style of course and since wine and romance go together – you are definitely in the right place. From picnic baskets to degustation’s, oysters to candy making or putt putt golf to glass-making lessons

– Wine Country is jam-packed with romantic memories to be made.

Thirty years after introducing a generation to the joys of soul music their irrepressible, irresistible rendition of the Valentine Brothers’ Money’s too tight (to mention), Simply Red are back in town to rock the Hunter Valley alongside Aussie favourites Tina Arena and Natalie Imbruglia. This is one not to miss.

On another musical note – Rob Thomas is in town this month in support of his new solo album - the first in more than 6 years. According to Rob he’ll be playing “some of the new stuff, some of the old stuff, a little bit of everything.” Joining Rob on all dates will be special guest Pete Murray and Darren Middleton of Powderfinger fame also on stage.

Is there anything more romantic than sharing a dessert? If you’ve a sweet tooth (or even if you haven’t) and love a bit of crunch then a Crème Brȗlée may be just the dessert for you. We look at the best Flaming Five in the Hunter on page 18. And if we’ve wet your appetite for the sweet, you may be ready to try the weird! Foods that is – you won’t believe the latest delicacies we’ve uncovered on page 20.

Finally, we look at love in a bottle with our pick of wines for romantic occasions. Whether you are going out or staying in for a romantic dinner (and might we remind you girls out there – it IS a leap year), you’ll want to have one of these luscious drops on hand. Enjoy!

Enjoy!

FROM THE EDITORS

ContentsROMANCING THE HUNTER VALLEYVineyards, mountains and picturesque valleys combine to form the perfect backdrop for spoiling your special someone in the Hunter Valley.

AVOCADO – A SWEET SURPRISEAustralians love avocado in salads, in guacamole and on toast, but how do you feel about avocado in milkshakes, ice creams and cakes? Put avocado to the dessert test with Golden Door’s Avocado and Cacao recipe!

WEIRD & WONDERFUL FOODSDo you have a strong stomach? Prepare yourself as we take a look at some of the weird and (often) wonderful foods of the world that might be coming to a restaurant near you.

WINES FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONSIt’s no secret that wine is a catalyst and enabler for romance. In the spirit of the romance issue, we have gathered a selection of special wines to put you and your partner in the mood for romance.

ROSÉ – A WINE FOR ROMANTICS Forget roses this Valentine’s Day, instead give a bottle of Rosé! Perfect for the romantic picnic, Rosé is the perfect wine for summer and it tops the charts for food-friendly versatility!

HUNTER BLACKBOARD MAPThe Hunter Blackboard’s handy guide to finding your way around Wine Country.

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