Fire is a matter of life and death, and so, too is wine, as far as I'm concerned. To enjoy a delicious wine beside a fire at night, either while camping, or at home - if you're lucky enough to be able to burn things in your living room - is one of life's most gratifying pleasures.
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Even more mesmerising than the TV, the glow of a fire captivates the eyes while good wine elevates the mind. Combine these two things with some close friends and tolerable family members and you've just stumbled upon the formula for a wonderful night in . . . or out, as the case may be.
The annual Burning of the Barrel event at Glandore Estate in Hunter Valley Wine Country is coming up, on Saturday June 29, to be exact. Attending is absolutely crucial for anyone who enjoys the aforementioned elements of fire and wine.
"The event's gotten bigger and better every year," Glandore Estate winemaker Nick Flanagan says. "We were featured in Gourmet Traveller: WINE as one of the top 50 worldwide wine experiences you must try, and it's become a bit of a bucket list, must-do event for many of our members and their guests."
Every year, for the last eight years, Flanagan and the team at Glandore stack up around 75 tonnes of timber underneath a sacrificial wine barrel, building an enormous pyre, which is set alight to Burn Baby Burn before a crowd of hundreds of enchanted onlookers, and a few clandestine pyromaniacs.
It's become a bit of a bucket list, must-do event for many of our members and their guests.
- Glandore winemaker Nick Flanagan
"The heat off the bonfire is incredible, it keeps everyone warm while they eat and drink and watch the barrels burn," Flanagan says.
This year, guests will be well fed by chef Andy Wright from The Cellar Restaurant, who's written a mouth-watering fireside menu featuring charcoal barbecue meats from Hungerford Meat Co., soul-warming soups and tasty pies, plus cheeseboards featuring Hunter Belle cheese.
Newy's own Grainfed Brewing Co. beers will be on the pour for anyone who prefers a cold beer to warm the cockles of their heart, as opposed to wine, which, of course, will be provided by Burning of the Barrel hosts, Glandore Estate.
For mine, you can't go past a glass of their Regional Series Nebbiolo (2018, $30).
This 'Neb' is the perfect fireside match to watch 75 tonnes of timber go up in flames right before your very eyes; pretty and bright, the cherry red liquid flares up with tart raspberries and pomegranate fruits, peaty earth and subtle hints of spice, like star-anise. Fine bodied and savoury; keep some cheese close at hand to counteract the succulent mouth sapping tannins.
It's a terrific fireside wine to complement a fireside chat, on a wonderful night out celebrating life beside a blazing fire.
