The Greeks might not have invented wine, but they’ve been making it, pretty damn well we might add, for a helluva long time. The Greek word for wine, oinos, forms part of the term oinofilia which actually means “a love of wine”. If you’re an oenophile, you’re someone who loves wine.

(Incidentally, the word symposium stems from drinking wine, too. In ancient Greece, academic minds of the time (i.e. Plato and Aristotle) would get together and talk shop over kraters (giant jugs) of the stuff, and so symposium came to mean “to drink together”.)

We have the largest Greek population in Melbourne outside of Greece itself, and they’ve brought us gyros and souvlaki, dolmades, saganaki, fetta and haloumi, and more. They’ve also brought us Assyrtiko, Moschofilero and Xinomavro, and Vidiano, Savatiano and Kotsifali. We bet you’re not as familiar with this lot as you are with the former. But that’s where we come in.

Oinofilia is a one-day festival celebrating the wines and food of Greece. We have over 30 producers from Greece showing off over 60 different Greek wines, giving you a chance to taste and learn and discover what this wonderful country has to offer.

Our favourite Cretan restaurant, Elyros, is on board with its sister Epocha, putting on a serious spread to soak up all that delicious wine. On the menu will be dishes like Greek roast lamb shoulder, kalitsounia (Cretan pies), a mezze bar, oysters and so much more. Kathy Tsaples from Sweet Greek will be there, bringing her incredible food (including the best spanakopita and galaktoboureko you’ll ever eat) to the table. And that’s just the tip… there will be more. Kali orexi!

Come on down for this incredible, one-day Greek fest, celebrating the absolute best of this wonderful country.

The details

Date: Sat June 24, 11am till 5pm
Venue: Meat Market, 5 Blackwood St, Melbourne
Tickets: $55 (includes Plumm Wine glass and ALL wine tastes. NO TOKENS!)

BUY TICKETS HERE!

On Wednesday night, the restaurant industry’s ultimate awards night was held in Melbourne. It’s only the second time it’s ever happened outside of Europe in its 15-year history – the first was in New York last year, so to follow that up in ol’ M-Town was pretty amazing.

Hordes of local and international media, various VIPs, event partners and, of course, chefs, sashayed down the red carpet into the Royal Exhibition Building. Neil Perry from Rockpool was in charge of catering, and had set up a magnificent produce table in the centre of the room, laden with whole tunas, mussels on their rope, oysters, abalone, marron, lobsters, slabs of butter, baskets of figs, bread and more. One chef was breaking down a whole side of wagyu beef on the spot. Wine Australia, Estrella Damn and Melbourne Gin Company were in charge of the booze.

After much shoulder-rubbing and drinking, we sat down for the ceremony. Mark Durden-Smith was back as MC – he’s been hosting the awards almost since their inception, and for good reason – the UK TV presenter was undoubtedly the star of the show. So many lols. And a really good balance to the seriousness of the overall event.

Once Eleven Madison Park had been crowned the World’s Best Restaurant, the official after party kicked off inside the REB. Perry’s produce table was now a buffet – the wagyu was cooked, the oysters were shucked, the shellfish had been cracked open. Everything becomes hazy from this point… the official after party was followed by a number of unofficial after parties all around town (one which saw several top chefs dancing on bars), which were followed by the world’s worst hangovers on Thursday.

Melbourne set a new benchmark for the World’s 50 Best; both the awards night itself, and the hospitality we showed the visiting chefs. It’ll be a tough one to beat.

So, planning the culinary tour to end all tours? Check out this map from our mates at ALPACA.TRAVEL noting down exactly where all the restaurants are in order of their ranking!.

Map not showing on your device? Check it out directly here

An immersive celebration of all things Rhône, Découvertes en Vallée du Rhône, is back for it’s 9th edition this April 10-13.

This huge trade fair is held over four days, with each day held in another stunning location around the Rhône Valley. Taste the best of the Rhône in incredible settings, from Avignon’s incredible Palais des Papes to the village of Ampuis.

With 4500+ DOC wines on tasting, and 650 wineries there, as well as masterclasses, this is a serious immersion in all things Rhône.

Oh, and it’s free for Wine Trade to attend.

4500 WINES, from 650 Wineries

More than 20,000 bottles of Rhône’s finest will be opened over 4 days. Oh, and did we mention a castle?

TELL ME MORE!