Event Review: Pork and wine night at David’s

To pay homage to China’s favourite meat, David’s in Prahran put together a menu celebrating all things pork.

The dinner featured five courses with matching wines selected by Bibendum Wine Co.

Gastrology bloggers were privileged to be invited to attend this feast.

Pork & Chive Soup Dumpling 

Matching wine: 2012 Von Buhl Qba Riesling (Trocken- dry) Pfalz Germany 

Tasting note: Crisp and refreshing with a core of lovely zingy but ripe Riesling fruit. 

The dumplings were beautifully crafted and were our favourite dish from the night. They had a thin and delicate skin encasing a tasty pork and chive filling and sumptuous broth. It was a great start to the dinner.

Crispy pork back strap flash fried with seaweed & spring onions 

Matching wine: 2011 Pazos de Lusco Albariño Rias Baixas Spain 

Tasting note: Mid weight aromatic white with pulpy texture, white stone fruits and mineral notes on the finish. 

The pork was a succulent classic, given an interesting twist by the coating of seaweed. A thin blanket of crispy batter encased the moist pork - pure comfort food.

Slow cooked pork belly in soy, ginger & Chinese’s wine served with signature fluffy open baos & condiments 

Matching wine: 2010 Rockburn Pinot Noir- Central Otago NZ 

Tasting note: Luscious deep coloured cherry dominant Pinot with a plump juicy fruit spectrum and bright acidity. 

Sweet and sticky, the braised pork belly was full of flavour. We particularly loved the baos – they were fluffy and light, like soft cushions. The Rockburn Pinot Noir was the wine of the night. Beautifully complex, it was a wonderful example of what makes New Zealand Pinot so appealing.

Pork Ribs marinated & cooked in sweet & salty red bean curd sauce served with rice 

Matching wine: 2011 Luke Lambet Crudo Shiraz, Yarra Valley VIC 

Tasting note: Beautifully weighted savoury, earth, minerally and meaty notes. 

The pork ribs were beautifully marinated and had a good balance of sweetness and saltiness.

Steamed white chocolate dumpling 

Matching wine: 2011 Domaine Plageoles Mauzac Roux, (Muscadelle) Gaillac, South West, France 

Tasting note: Delicious dessert wine with a luscious, unctuous but not cloying mouthfeel and a tropical fruit spectrum 

The dinner ended on a sweet note with delightfully chewy steamed glutinous rice dumplings that had been filled with luxuriously rich white chocolate. It was a wonderfully modern take on a traditional Chinese dessert.

As expected from a dinner at David's, it was a wonderful evening. The expertly chosen wines complemented each pork course perfectly. Unfussy food with staff that make you feel at home, David's emphasises beauty in simplicity.

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of David's.