By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
Pack your appetite…but park your passport - because this July, The Dry Dock in Balmain is offering Sydneysiders a très magnifique way to experience the vineyards, villages and vibrant flavours of France at a one-day-only gourmet affair hosted in the elegant surrounds of The Dining Room.
One where every dish and drop tells a story from a different region of France - no flights required.
Taking place on Tuesday, July 29, from 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm, the Tour de France Wine Lunch is your first-class ticket to five luxurious courses and eight meticulously matched wines, all handpicked from the World Wine Estates portfolio.
It’s a curated celebration of France’s most celebrated terroirs, paired with the culinary flair of Executive Chef Ben Sitton and the passionate storytelling of your host, James Johnston, who’ll take guests on a sensory journey across Champagne, Savoie, Bordeaux, Provence and beyond.
Bon Appetit Meets Bon Voyage
The $210-per-person experience begins with a petit but powerful amuse-bouche: a silky duck parfait encased in pâté a choux. This bite-sized indulgence is elegantly matched with NV Champagne Henri Dosnon Recolte Noire Blanc de Noirs Brut, a bubbly beauty straight from the Paris Basin that opens the palate with finesse and fizz.
From there, diners glide into the highlands of Savoie and Jura with a cloud-like three-cheese double-baked soufflé, kissed with a Comté glaze and dressed with watercress and tarragon. It's a dish that pairs seamlessly with Andre et Michel Quenard’s Chignin-Bergeron and Domaine Rijckaert’s Chardonnay from Cotes du Jura - which reflect the mineral-rich soils and alpine crispness of the regions they hail from.
Then it’s on to the richer, meatier mid-course where things get really delicieux. The steak tartare, crafted from hand-cut Riverina rump and spiked with capers, shallots and traditional seasoning, sits alongside a smoked duck dish featuring blackberry vinaigrette and Jerusalem artichoke crisps.
These bold bites are paired with an aged 2012 Chateau Chapelle de Potensac Medoc Bordeaux and a velvety 2022 Domaine Yves Cuilleron Saint Joseph Syrah, wines that sing with structure and spice, each echoing the depth of South-western and Northern Rhone France.
From Rhone to Riches
For the main act, guests are treated to a premium Rangers Valley Wagyu Scotch Fillet, served with galette pomme de terre, baby spinach and a rich Cabernet Sauvignon sauce. It’s comfort food turned couture, complemented by DD fries and a zesty leaf salad elevated with a Chardonnay vinaigrette.
The wines are equally showstopping. The 2021 Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas brings warm, Southern Rhone character to the table, while the 2022 Tempier 'Lulu & Lucien' Mourvèdre Bandol from Provence adds a savoury, sun-drenched soulfulness that lingers long after your last bite.
Of course, no French feast is complete without fromage and chocolate. To finish, guests will enjoy a generous cheese selection featuring Marcel Petite Comté and Ossau-Iraty, served with lavash, muscatels and quince jelly, followed by a decadent bite (or three) of Valrhona chocolate honey truffles.
The sweet finale is paired with the indulgent 2022 Domaine La Soumade 'Grenat' Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau - a dessert wine as dark, dreamy and dangerously drinkable as they come.
Whether you’re a Francophile or simply a foodie or looking to indulge in a truly elevated lunch, Tour de France Wine Lunch at The Dry Dock will deliver a journey through The Land of Cheese and Wine’s most legendary vineyards and classic culinary moments, all from the comfort of your table in Balmain.
Bookings are essential – visit The Dry Dock or email info@thedrydock.com.au to reserve your spot.
