Thursday, February 25, 2010

Barossa 2010 Vintage Declaration

The Barons of Barossa held their annual Declaration of Vintage ceremony on Sunday, which included the traditional blessing of the 2010 grapes by Pastor David Gogoll and a colourful procession of Barons in full regalia.

Yalumba winemaker Louisa Rose presented an enthusiastic forecast on the 2010 vintage. “The Barossa experienced the best rains in five years in late winter and spring which were very welcome,” she said. “Riesling vines in the Eden Valley are well set, balanced and very healthy – and the cool nights are causing the vines to hold their acid and aromatics while the sunny days mean flavours and sugars are increasing quickly.

“Crops of Grenache are looking well below average in response to challenges over the flowering period, but indications are that they will have good character. Shiraz and Cabernet are beautifully balanced with strong early colours and flavours.

“We are seeing an evenness of ripening on these reds which is typically indicative of a high quality year.”

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Maggie Beer is Senior Australian of the Year

When you think of great Australian wine making districts, the Barossa instantly springs to mind. And when you think of Barossa legends, Maggie Beer is one of the greatest.


Maggie was recently crowned Senior Australian of the Year. She was the star of ABC television's popular The Cook and the Chef shows. Maggie began her interest in food in 1973 when she moved to the Barossa to breed pheasants and grow grapes with husband Colin. With seven books and numerous awards to her name, Maggie is famous for her innovative recipes and produce such as preserved lemons, quince pastes, oils, nuts, spices and even ice cream.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Gluttony at Adelaide Fringe

Gluttony will be two days and nights of outstanding food and wine on the fringe of the city in leafy Rymill Park. During the Adelaide Fringe picnic on the lawn and groove to the laid back sounds on offer while feasting on sumptuous food & wine from some of South Australia’s finest regional producers. A cool inner city oasis by day, a vibrant outdoor lounge bar by night. This will be a definite highlight of the Adelaide Fringe opening weekend, on Saturday the 21st and Sunday the 22nd of February 2010.

A hip and sophisticated cultural offering, Gluttony will be an annual platform for showcasing food and wine producers and restaurants from across regional South Australia during Adelaide Fringe. Together with some of the best in film and Fringe acts from Australia and abroad, this will be a true gastronomic celebration. For further details and bookings please visit the Gluttony Website.

Adelaide Hills Farmers Market

The newly opened Adelaide Hills Farmers Market brings together a wide range of goods grown in the healthy, pollution free environs of the Adelaide Hills. Located behind the exquisite Auchendorrach centre at Mt Barker, the food is fresh, the people friendly and your meals will be tasty and healthy. The Adelaide Hills Farmers Market is open every Saturday morning from 8am to 12 midday.

The Adelaide Hills Farmers Market is a 'true farmers market' - it is a food only market that specialises in authentic, regional, fresh and seasonal product. The farmers market offers a range of vegetables, herbs, fruit, nuts, seeds and any product that can be grown or is made from primary products. In the true sense of a farmers market the Adelaide Hills Farmers Market does not allow products that have been genetically modified, are out of season, or travel significant ‘food miles’ from outside of Adelaide HIlls.

At present approximately 50 stall holders can supply visitors with fresh produce, flowers, plants, bread, eggs, meat and smallgoods, wine, juices, jams, condiments and chutneys, fresh pasta, olive oil and honey and anything else that is either grown or produced in the region. There is freshly ground coffee wafting across the market, hot food, and a terrific selection of vegetarian food offerings. The smells, colour and textures of the food are rich and lingering at this friendly country farmers market and already has a great local following. More information: