SAM Deep Dives: Tasting Modernity - France Through Food & Wine with Prof. Jacqueline Dutton

How did modern France become one of the world's great food and wine destinations?

Join French gastronomy expert Professor Jacqueline Dutton from the University of Melbourne for an afternoon at The Vault exploring the remarkable transformation of French food, wine and culture during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Inspired by Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso, this unique tasting experience pairs three carefully selected wines with three seasonal canapés as Professor Dutton uncovers the stories behind French cafés, vineyards and regional cuisine.

Discover how the phylloxera crisis reshaped the wine industry, why the Michelin Guide changed the way people travelled and dined, and how the idea of terroir—the taste of place—became central to French identity.

What's included

• Three seasonal canapé bites

• Three paired tasting pours

• A guided presentation by Professor Jacqueline Dutton

• Opportunity for questions and discussion

Please note: This is an 18+ event

Event details:

Date + time: Sunday 2 August 2026, 2pm-4pm

Location: The Vault, 168R Maude Street, Shepparton

Price: $65 inc. GST (non-members) | $55 inc. GST (Friends of SAM members price)

Presented in partnership with the University of Melbourne and The Vault.