Food and Wine With Australian Flair

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Food and Wine With Australian Flair

So good are Australia’s dining options that 24,000 Kiwis in 2006 [1] returned to their favourite restaurants to once again experience Australian’s famous food and wine. Also in 2006, over 60,000 New Zealanders visited an Australian winery and in just three months of that year 49,500 Kiwis dined in a fine dining restaurant. These figures show that Kiwis can’t get enough of Australia’s unique food and wine.

Australians have learnt techniques for great food and wine making, through the diverse cultures that immigrated to Australia in the early 20th Century and now call Australia home. Immigration from Europe, Asia, Middle East and surrounding islands has inspired a fusion of food styles and flavours, unique to Australia. These ethnic groups, combined with fresh and fine produce, aboriginal culture and fresh seafood straight from the coastline, makes Australian cuisine world-famous.

Producers of some of the world’s most premium beef, lamb, tuna, gourmet cheese, truffles, saffron, scallops and coffee, Australia has a range of ingredients that will suit any palate.

New Zealand’s Regional Manager for Tourism Australia, Vito Anzelmi believes there are endless culinary delights and delicious local wines throughout Australia for visitors to enjoy a truly Australian food and wine experience.

“Australia is renowned for its delicious range of food and wine and holiday makers anticipate this before they arrive. Between April and June 2006 alone over 112,000 New Zealanders visited an Australian restaurant because of a personal recommendation.

“Enjoying local delicacies and tasting regional wine is one of the most enjoyable parts of most holidays and Australian food and wine can certainly deliver something unique. From crocodile sausages with wattle weed sauce to a perfectly cooked kangaroo steak that won’t fit on your plate, Australia has it all!

“Australia is so close to New Zealand, yet has such a diverse cuisine with more than 15,000 cafes and restaurants, making it the ultimate food and wine destination,” says Anzelmi.

The Australian food experience isn’t just about exotic bush tucker. City restaurants provide endless world-class dining options with unique Aussie flair designed by Australia’s famous chefs. Take a gastronomic journey around the country with modern Australian, Mediterranean and East-West fusion cuisines being the most predominant styles.

Australia is a vast country with approximately 7.6 million hectares of certified organic land and has microclimates that range from steamy, tropical heat of the north to the cooler climate of the south. This variety of climate means Australia has a constant supply of a range of fresh produce. From exotic foods, aquaculture and bush tucker, Australia has it all. Buying foods from a local producer or market is a great way to taste fresh produce, experience Aussie culture and a chance to meet and talk to the locals.

Being the fourth largest wine-exporter in the world and with over 2,000 wineries, Australia is the ideal place to enjoy the laid back atmosphere with the freshest of produce and fine wine. Australia’s grape vines are among the oldest in the world after the vine disease, phylloxera, destroyed many of Europe’s vineyard in the 1800s and the only survivors were the vines brought to Australia.

The best way to take in some of the many wineries and soak up the spectacular scenery they’re located in is to follow a food and wine trail. Visitors have the option of joining a wine tour or taking a self-drive winery journey around the various winegrowing regions.

As 5,000 Kiwis discovered, between April and June 2006, attending one of Australia’s many fantastic and wine festivals are a great place to sample the tastes of this continent.

Whether you choose fish and chips on Bondi beach or five star dining at one of Australia’s many sensational restaurants you can be guaranteed it will be a unique and truly impressive experience.

ENDS

[1] Visitors between April and June 2006

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