Peter's Palate Pleasers

Peter Howard has Queensland’s original food and wine matching palate and is an audience favourite. So he will be again at the Granite Belt Flavours event in Little Stanley Street, South Bank from 10am to 3pm.

In a series of five free sessions at South Bank this Sunday, Peter will present classic red and white wine varieties, plus some exciting alternative varieties from the Granite Belt with food suggestions. This forms part of an event that will see almost 30 food and wine producers from Stanthorpe make the trek to Brisbane.

Six lucky members of the public will have the chance to join Peter’s tasting panel in each session:

Sessions 1 & 3 CLASSIC WHITES (10.30am and 12.30pm):

• Sirromet 2007 Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir
• Casley Mount Hutton 2007 Chardonnay
• Robert Channon Wines 2008 Verdelho

Sessions 2 & 4 CLASSIC REDS (11.30am & 1.30pm):

• Harrington Glen 2007 Merlot
• Granite Ridge 2004 Shiraz
• Summit Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Session 5 STRANGE BIRDS/ Alternative Varieties (2.30pm):

• Ballandean Estate 2008 Viognier
• Symphony Hill 2007 Petit Verdot
• Hidden Creek 2007 Tempranillo

Tin town turns to gold

Stanthorpe derives its name from its tin mining origins in the 1800s but today things are turning to gold.

March 1st marks the official start of autumn and at 1000 metres above sea level, the crisp weather is turning leaves on grapevines and fruit trees across Queensland's Granite Belt into a sea of gold.

The tourist association is marking the cooler weather with a series of hot deals for visitors. Anyone who books a Granite Belt Gold offer online will go into the draw to win two tickets to Jazz in the Vineyard and return in August.

Stanthorpe has a well-earned reputation as the coolest place in Queensland so visitors who wish to beat the brass monkey weather, should enjoy a little gold and book now.

Tucker with Thommo

He's made a name for himself as the bush cook on Channel 7, and he's packing his port for a trip to the Queensland wine capital.

The Queensland College of Wine Tourism in Stanthorpe is the venue for Thommo's latest field kitchen. Five courses of Granite Belt food and wine will be captured by the cameras as part of a promotion with Caravanning Queensland on March 15th.

During dinner Thommo will regale guests with tales of his travels throughout Australia. Wine, food, memories...and all capped off with a charity auction for local service clubs. Sounds like a good old fashioned country night out. And when it is all over Thommo will soak up the hospitality of the Stanthorpe Top of the Town Tourist Park.

It all happens on Monday 15th March - not your typical Ides of March night out but then it's getting a little chilly here for togas!