Denmark shows taste

TALK to people from Denmark about food and wine and their faces light up, eyes sparkling with delight.

TALK to people from Denmark about food and wine and their faces light up, eyes sparkling with delight.

Denmark and its Great Southern surrounds are blessed with an incredible range of fresh food and wines.

This is not the stuff of supermarket shelves or large chainstores.

It is food and wine with personality – produced with passion, nurtured with love and offered with warmth and generosity.

This approach to food and wine is borne from a township of people who have come to this naturally rich corner of WA to grab life by the throat.

And this passion is passed on through food and wine, which have brought people together for centuries.

A love of food, wine and all they encompass is evident at The Source Real Food Store.

Owner Melissa Taylor showcases the organic and biodynamic produce of the region and beyond.

Delightful aromas waft from the spice racks, fresh organic fruit and vegetables fill wicker baskets, and there is bottle upon bottle of local jams, sauces, chutneys and pickles, as well as those created by chefs throughout the world.

People drop into the shop for a chat, to swap recipes and attend cooking classes.

They sample free, freshly prepared savoury snacks or cakes to gain inspiration for their home kitchen, and order in little-known products from far-flung parts of the country.

Manager Jenny Blackburn said the shop catered to locals and visitors who were discerning with their tastes.

"The community here is very orientated towards quality of life and the quality of food. We try to cater to that," she said.

"It's all about making food an experience."

Just outside Denmark at Tree Elle Retreat are 11ha of cottage gardens and the delightful Elle MacKay.

Ms McKay is passionate about the region's produce and makes picnic boxes for guests staying in her luxury units.

The boxes showcase the tasty treats of Denmark and are packed with enough for several meals.

They can be enjoyed on a picnic in a corner of the gardens at Tree Elle Retreat, or can be taken to sample in the forest or by the dazzlingly beautiful coast.

"The products here are just fantastic and people are very organically minded," Ms McKay said.

"The make all these fabulous things. You can't believe how much effort they put into these products, but they're not necessarily easy to find.

"So the picnic box brings it all together. It is also a great way to enjoy your food. I love the Italian concept of sharing food."

Ms McKay also provides guests with organic eggs and vegetables picked fresh from the garden.

And while the adults dine in luxurious surrounds, children can have a ball chasing guinea pigs, which roam free in the garden, or play with rabbits and chickens.

Good food, wine and company are also the passion of Marie Redman, from the Great Southern Regional Wine Centre and Denmark Liquor Store.

"The Great Southern has so much to offer, with great diversity, natural resources and beautiful undulating landscapes," she said.

"You go to a winery or farmgate and it's the owners who meet you there and talk to you.

"This means you can find out the stories behind the products.

"For example, Gilberts has a wine called the Three Devils, named after their three boys.

"Wine and food goes hand in hand with stories. And what I like about good food and wine is what they create: sitting down and enjoying good company."

The Sunday Times