The Twelve is Jazzed about Wine – continuing the Wine Dinner series with glorious Penfolds wines and great live jazz
The next dinner in the ongoing Wine Dinner series at The Twelve showcases the world famous wines of Penfolds from Australia on Wednesday April 6th Strictly limited to the first 60 Bookings, so early booking naturally advised..
The evening in one of the best Galway Hotels begins with a structured tasting of the famous Penfolds portfolio, followed by a delectable five course dinner designed by The Twelves award winning team of chefs and sommeliers to perfectly complement the wines of Penfolds. And all is orchestrated to the sounds of great live jazz.
Your host for the evening is the formidable Tom Porter, Regional Wine Ambassador EMEA
Tom joined Treasury Wine Estates EMEA (formerly Foster's) as the regional Winemaker in 2009.
Being an Australian record 10th generation winemaker, he was born with a wine philosophy
already in his blood. Initially, Tom grew up vineyards of Victoria’s
Pyrenees, from a young age working the vines guided by his French winemaking father
Dominique. For this reason, he happily represents both new and old world winemaking
techniques, with one foot stapled in tradition, and the other stomping to the future.
Outside of Australia, Tom’s first vintage was in Bordeaux’s Médoc at the age of 18
- Bordeaux and Cognac being the regions of his family’s heritage. Here as a stagaire, he worked for the
Chateau’s Beychevelle and Beau Rivage. Since then, he has also made wine in Napa’s Stags Leap District at Clos du Val, and for the
grower house Tarlant, in Champagne. Before, during, and after these experiences he perfected his winemaking skills
on his family’s Yarra Valley estate, where the Portet’s specialise in boutique cool-climate wines.
Tom actually migrated to Europe two years prior to joining Treasury, working for a
Danish fine wine importer focusing on Champagne and biodynamic wines. Not only
did this give him access to many revered cellars across Europe,
but also local Michelin restaurants in his buying and sales role. Here, as a
natural educator, he founded ‘Down to Earth Tastings’ with British Embassy Chef Joel Bird, leading tastings on
many aspects of the industry, but certainly focusing on the diverse wines of his homeland Australia.
Tom holds a degree in Agricultural Science (Viticulture & Oenology, Honours) and Finance from the University of Melbourne.He also studied at the
viticultural research centre at Cornell University in New York. Through the WSET (Wine & Spirits Education Trust) in London
he holds an Advanced Level Distinction, and is an Approved Program Educator up to the Intermediate Level.
These diverse experiences give Tom a global wine philosophy and passion for all
things vinous, which brings his passionate wine understanding to life. Tom is fluent in English, French and Danish.
Tom is a lively, knowledgeable and approachable guide to the award winning Penfolds collection of wines, and this is a fantastic opportunity to taste these wines under his direction with the fine complement of wonderful food in West, and mellow, laid-back jazz.
West @ The Twelve has won a host of notable food and wine awards recently making it the top dining hotel in Galway. Regarded as having one of the finest wine lists in Ireland and a Wine Spectator award winner for ‘one of the most outstanding wine lists in the world’, this promises to be a very special night for lovers of food and wine.
Strictly limited to just 60 places, dinner with wines and structured tasting cost just €85, and overnight stays for this special occasion are available at just €90 per room inclusive of breakfast for two.