Australian resort to host sommelier series

Exclusive Australian resort, Voyages Bedarra Island, is to host the first in a series of Sommelier Weekends this August matching Champagne Louis Roederer and Katnook Estate Wines with specially created gourmet degustation menus.

Set against the backdrop of the private hideaway of Voyages Bedarra Island, off the coast of Cairns on the Great Barrier Reef, the Sommelier Weekends - running from August through to October - will give guests the exclusive chance to savour, sample and learn more about wines and champagnes.

The first event, on the weekend of August 14th and 15th, will feature Louis Roederer Champagne and Katnook Estate Wines, with chief winemaker Wayne Stehbens revealing blending, maturing and ageing secrets that give both varieties individual yet distinctive styles and flavours.

Tastings notes will accompany the menus with information on every wine's distinctive features from the fabulously rich and lush Louis Roederer Vintage Rose 2000, to the crisp and harmonious Louis Roederer Brut Vintage 2002.

Led by Bedarra Island's Executive Chef Geoffrey Crabbe, the Resort's culinary team will match seven-course gourmet degustation menus for each tasting, using fresh local produce and ingredients to expertly compliment each course with the appropriate vintage of wine or Champagne.

14th August - Champagne Louis Roederer
Featuring: 2000 and 2002 Louis Roederer Blanc de Blancs; 2002 and 2003 Louis Roederer Vintage Bruts; 2002 Louis Roederer Vintage Rose; and the Louis Roederer Brut NV Premier.

15th August - Coonawarra's Katnook Estate Wines
Featuring: 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon; 2006 Katnook Estate Merlot; 2005 Katnook Estate Shiraz; 2008 Katnook Estate Sauvignon Blanc; 2006 Katnook Estate Chardonnay; 2004 Katnook Odyssey Cabernet Sauvignon; and 2005 Katnook Prodigy Shiraz.

18th September -Champagne Bollinger & Croser Sparkling Wines
Featuring: NV Bollinger Special Cuvee; 2006 Croser; 2004 Croser; NV Bollinger Rose; 1998 Croser Proprietors Reserve; and 1998 Petaluma Sharefarmers Botrytis Riesling.

19th September - Petaluma Wines
Featuring: 2008 Petaluma Hamlin Hill Riesling; 2007 Petaluma Viognier; 2007 Petaluma Chardonnay; 2006 Petaluma Shiraz; 2006 Petaluma Coonawarra; 1998 Petaluma Coonawarra; and 1998 Petaluma Sharefarmers Botrytis Riesling.

16th - 17th October - Domaine Chandon Sparkling Wines
Hosted by Matt Steel, senior winemaker from Domaine Chandon.
Featuring Chandon Sparkling Wines: Chandon NV, Chandon NV Rose, 05 Chandon Vintage Brut, 05 Blanc de Blanc, 05 Vintage Rose, NV Chandon Pinot Shiraz and Chandon Cuvee Riche. Domaine Chandon Still Wines: Chandon NV Brut, 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, 2008 Pinot Noir Rose, 2007 Chardonnay; 2008 Pinot Noir; 2006 Heathcote Shiraz and 2005 Barrel Selection Shiraz.

Anna Guillan, Voyages Executive General Manager Sales & Marketing, said: "We are delighted to be able to offer our Bedarra Island guests an additional reason to indulge and celebrate - whether it's with their partner or friends. At no additional cost, the Sommelier Series Weekends are a celebration of the fusion of great cuisine matched with superb Champagnes and Australian wines, set amongst the spectacular tropical rainforest hideaway setting of Voyages Bedarra Island."

Included within the price of a two-night stay on Voyages Bedarra Island, these Sommelier Series Weekends will be available for guests to enjoy as an additional complimentary highlight of their weekend. Two nights on Voyages Bedarra Island starts from $3,400 per room and includes all meals, a selection of premium alcoholic beverages and a range of activities including motorised dinghies, snorkelling and gourmet picnic hampers.

At Bedarra Island, guests can do as they wish, when they wish. A maximum of just 32 guests are accommodated in 16 secluded villas, hidden in the rainforest, only minutes from the beach. Superbly appointed, each villa has a separate living area, contemporary bathroom and king size bed. On the balcony, guests can relax in a hammock and contemplate the beauty and calm of this elegant retreat.

For more information, visit Bedarraisland.com/sommelier-series.