A slice of Italy for one night only

Looking for an excuse to visit the delightful Central West NSW town of Orange over summer? 

Mayfield Vineyard will to host an‘Aperitivo Evening’ in the vineyard on Saturday, February 7.

The evening will feature wine, Italian specialties and live music. 

Inspired by Italy’s aperitivo tradition, the event is billed as being all about being with friends, sharing a few bites of Italian delights, and sipping a refreshing cocktail or a glass of wine while enjoying a long summer afternoon.

“We would like to recreate the chill and joyful Italian aperitivo,” says Mayfield brand manager Lisa Ioannitis. 

“It’s about coming out to the vineyard, grabbing a spritz or a glass of wine, listening to some live music, and enjoying good food as the sun goes down.”

The vent will see Mayfield wines paired with Italian cuisine from Pellegrini's restaurant, which has outlets in Orange, and Chatswood in Sydney.

Tickets include a spritz on arrival and a small plate of Italian food. 

Guests will then be able to purchase additional Mayfield wines and plates of Italian nibbles from Pellegrini’s. 

Expect dishes like eggplant caponata on crostini, grissini, flor di latte with cherry tomato and basil skewers, and whipped ricotta with lemon zest and herbs.

Transport is available from the Orange Visitor Centre to Mayfield for an additional charge of $25.

The event will run from 4.30pm to 8pm with tickets $65 per person, tickets available here.

 

A nifty liquid taste of Italy to enliven Australian tables

Everyone needs the occasional alcohol-free day, or two. Even wine writers.

The trouble is that most of the faux alcoholic drinks on the market are just a bit shit and eye-wateringly over-priced.

Water is boring if your trying to match it with food and a lot of commercial sodas are absurdly sweet.

One alternative to saccharine sodas is very adult newcomer SPRIO Spritz.

This Australian-made beverage has been created by a wine expert and a hospitality stalwart (both of Italian origin), and aims to replicate the flavours of the Mediterranean in a a sophisticated and healthy way.

It is being billed as "possibly the world’s first carbonated beverage made specifically to pair with food".

There are actually several products making similar claims, but there ae some defiinite Sprio plusses: premium fruit extracts, low to no sugar sweeteners, and natural colours and flavours .

The recommendations are picking up a SPRIO Sicilian Lemon Spritz to pair with seafood, shellfish and salads (or anything you would squirt fresh lemon on; in my case salt and pepper squid); enjoying the balanced bitterness of the SPRIO Chinotto on any antipasti, or sampling the SPRIO Blood Orange Spritz with white meats: chicken, pork and veal (although it went brilliantly with some mortadella).



The men behind the brand are Anthony Nania, a wine expert and educator, and hospitality veteran Fabbio Navarroli (Tuscan Bar).

“What started as an idea for a brand name in early 2014 while I was staying at a friend’s winery in Castel San Pietro [in Emilia Romagna], became a 10-year concept," says Nania.

"In 2022 Fabbio and I decided to embark on our journey to produce an excellent quality “all-natural”, low to zero sugar spritz-style soft drink range, with fine, elegant champagne-style bubbles, and a fresh lasting taste and flavour like no other.

“We wanted to develop a drink for the discerning health-conscious individual - that would only contain high-quality natural ingredients, be highly enjoyable and become the drink of choice that would pair exceptionally with or without food. All this without any fanfare or plethora of broken promises of so many products.”

After sourcing the Sicilian lemons, Blood oranges and Chinotto from Calabria and Sicily, the team began producing Italian style artisanal beverages.

The SPRIO Spritz collection is currently available in select health food stores, and fine food grocers. Cartons of 24 can be purchased directly from the website. Cartons of 24 cost $88. Visit to order or find out more about the brand: https://SPRIOspritz.com.au

Australia's most expensive spritz is one of 15 on a new drinks list

Meet Australia's most expensive spritz - it will set you back $299 for a glass of Italian-accented refreshment.

Mantra South Bank general manager Adrian Lampe says the range of 15 spritzes is one of the highlights at hotel's new Ovello Bar & Kitchen eatery, which opens in early February.

The menu includes Italian favourites including fresh calamari fritti, gooey burrata, spaghetti vongole and stone-baked pizza made with a 37-year-old mother dough - all of which can be paired with spritzes.

“Ovello's signature spritz list includes a lychee spritz made with pink gin, sparkling rosé, lychee fruit and topped with edible pink glitter and flowers,” Lampe said.

“Or there's the Dolce Vita spritz with Sexy Cat marshmallow liqueur, sparkling moscato and vanilla, topped with fairy floss, mini marshmallows, and edible glitter.”

Single spritzes are $16 a glass or $50 by the carafe but the headline grabber is $299 The Duchess.

“For the true spritz connoisseurs, this very special drink is made with rose liqueur, Dom Pérignon Champagne and topped with authentic locally made Turkish Delight glazed in a gold lustre and served in a special glass for guests to take home,” Lampe said.

To be honest, it sounds absurd and waste of good Champagne, but to each their own.

The opening of the restaurant on February 9 coincides with Brisbane's recent economic revival.

With tourism bouncing back in Brisbane and a newfound energy amongst locals, we were eager to find a way to play a part in South Bank, and this was our answer,” Lampe said.

“It's bright, bubbly, and unbridled in fun. Plus we know Brisbane locals love Italian food, so it was an easy decision to bring our take on an Italian summer to our little pocket of Brisbane.”

The venue boasts a bar, two dining rooms, and al fresco seating.

Ovello is also hosting a special Valentine's Day event with a one-night only San Valentino menu for $75 per head, with an additional special spritz menu at $50 per pair to complete the evening.

See https://www.ovello.com.au/

Grey Goose gets just a little fruity

Flavour-infused spirits are all the rage this summer with French premium vodka distiller Grey Goose upping its offering with the release of Grey Goose Essences.

This new range is made with "all-natural ingredients" and is available in three flavours: strawberry and lemongrass, watermelon and basil and white peach and rosemary.

All are designed for enjoying in cocktails, or as the key ingredient in a spritz.

Grey Goose Essences is one of the first super-premium flavoured spirits to launch in the Australian market.

"The recent introduction of Essences is an exciting chapter for Grey Goose, with this latest innovation giving our consumers more choice when it comes to their summer serves,” said Sander Janmaat, marketing manager for Grey Goose at Bacardi-Martini Australia.

"Lower in calories than your standard vodka and gluten-free, Grey Goose Essences is easily mixed with your favourite premium tonic or soda water, for the ultimate effervescent beverage this summer.

"From picnics and backyard barbecues to rooftop drinks, while basking in the sun or cooling in the shade, summer is the best time for a spritz."

The Essences range also has a lower than standard ABV of 30%.

Grey Goose is distilled in France using only two base ingredients: single-origin Picardy winter wheat and natural spring water.

The Essences range containszero added sugar and is gluten free. It is available at available at BWS stores, Dan Murphy’s and other major retailers nationwide at RRP of $73.99.

For more info see www.greygoose.com/essences