Olivier Krug joined Cutler & Co. for a special Champagne dinner on 4th May
An exceptional evening for Champagne connoisseurs
The House of Krug was established in Reims in 1843, by Joseph Krug, a visionary non-conformist with an uncompromising philosophy. His dream was to offer the fullest expression of Champagne every year, regardless of variations in climate. With this vision in mind, he went beyond all known boundaries of his time to create a Champagne that did not yet exist – one that still today does not exist outside the House. Today, Olivier Krug, the sixth generation of the Krug family and Director of the House have perpetuated this dream, enriching the founder’s vision and savoir faire. The eldest of five siblings, Olivier is a highly respected and charismatic figurehead, and it is an honour to welcome him in his only public dinner engagement in Australia.
On Wednesday 4th May, the charismatic Olivier Krug joined us at Cutler & Co. for a special, one-off evening, allowing a small group of guests an insight into the historic House and to experience a collection of Champagnes rarely enjoyed together. Each of the dinner's four courses was paired with Champagne Krug, meticulously matched to create a harmonious voyage of flavour, texture and sensibilities.
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Menu
Natural oysters
Buttermilk fried chicken & caviar
Comté custard & wagyu bresaola tartlet
Krug Grande Cuvée 169éme
.
Black lip abalone, snowflake & woodear mushrooms, golden Jinhua broth
Krug 2008
.
Murray cod, confit leek & spigarello, burnt lemon
Krug 2004
.
Pine mushroom pithivier, salt-baked celeriac
& black truffle
Grand Cuvée 170éme
.
Parmigiano-Reggiano sablé & long pepper sherbet
Krug Rosé 25éme
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Our best ever beverage team on the night
We are fortunate to have some of Australia's best beverage hearts and minds amongst our restaurants. Led by the inimitable Leanne Altmann, each brings their own passion and personality to the table and is especially enamoured to be forming a one off specialty team on this evening. Never before have we assembled a wine troupe of our finest.
Allow us to introduce them.
Leanne Altmann
Beverage Director
Trader House
Leanne is a passionate wine educator and communicator, and as a Certified Educator with the Wine and Spirit Education Trust, Leanne runs WSET Level 2 and Level 3 classes for Trader House.
A 2009 Len Evans scholar and perpetual student of wine, Leanne holds the WSET Diploma, where she was the top Australian graduate, and the Court of Master Sommeliers Advanced Certificate, dux.
Leanne has continued her practical wine and service education as the recipient of the Negociants Australia Working with Wine Fellowship, the Ruinart Sommelier Challenge, and the professional winner of the 2018 Vin de Champagne Award.
Chris Ryan
Head Sommelier
Cumulus Inc.
Chris has been an integral part of Trader House since he began in 2015, progressing from Waiter to Sommelier at Cutler & Co. Since 2018, Chris has led the beverage program at Cumulus Inc, growing a passionate wine-loving team.
He has undertaken numerous WSET and Court of Master Sommeliers courses, completed 5 vintages in various Victorian wineries and is also a winemaker.
Chris was awarded Sommelier's Australia 'Best Sommelier of Australia' in 2021, a monumental achievement that reflects his incredible dedication to the study and practice of wine.
Penny Vine
Head Sommelier
Cutler & Co.
Penny's story is the classic tale of Arts student turned hospitality professional. She has worked in every aspect of the industry, in search of the right fit.
She found her calling after joining the wine team at Marion in 2016, and she has spent the last six years learning from her mentors in Leanne Altmann and Liam O'Brien and has now fully established herself as a heavy hitter of the Melbourne wine scene.
She is currently studying her WSET diploma.
Anthony Pieri
Head Sommelier
Gimlet at Cavendish House
After starting a career in financial services in the US, Anthony decided instead to learn, taste and travel through the world of wine and hasn't looked back. More than a decade on and two vintages later, he's now happily Melbourne-based doing something he loves every day, leading the wine programme at Gimlet.
He is certified with the Court of Master Sommeliers, a Stage 2 Master of Wine student, a French Wine Scholar, and a Finalist Vin de Champagne Award 2018.
Rhiannon LaHatte
Head Sommelier
Builders Arms Hotel
Rhiannon joined the team late last year after working in the Melbourne wine industry for seven years. She is continually inspired by the people around her to share new and exciting wines. She is currently studying her WSET diploma.
Rhiannon has a particular passion and energy for working closely with Victoria's most dynamic producers of beer, wine and spirits.
Liam O'Brien
Beverage Manager
Cutler & Co.
Liam has been a sommelier for 16 years, and met Andrew McConnell at Circa, before joining him at Cutler & Co. in 2011.
In his over a decade at McConnell's flagship, he has built an incredible cellar, team and reputation as one of Melbourne's best wine minds. Liam is also a winemaker, and makes approachable and authentic wines that are exceptional companions to a meal.
Liam is a long term board member at Sommeliers Australia, and was dux of the 2010 Len Evans Tutorial, one of the world's most prestigious wine scholarships.
