South Australia's Cellar Door Wine Festival 2011

The ‘festival state’ (that’s South Australia) in conjunction with the leading wineries has put together a true state wine festival. The Cellar Door Wine Festival will showcase over 100 wineries from premium wine regions of South Australia.

This will be a great way for all those with a passion for Pinot, or are curious about Cabernet, or even serious about Shiraz to see the best regions all in one location. South Australian regions covered include; Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, Coonawarra, Eden Valley, Langhorne Creek, McLaren Vale, Padthaway and the Riverland.

South Australia produces most - and some of the best – of Australia’s wine. It boasts some of the oldest commercially producing vines in the world. It has a diverse range of regions and is considered to be the wine industry’s “powerhouse” state. Surprisingly we have never had a state wine celebration here. The Cellar Door Festival will be held in Adelaide over 3 days from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 February, 2011 and will be at the world-class venue the Adelaide Convention Centre.

Festival highlights include:
• Regional Wine and Food Trail - showcasing a ‘taste’ of each region... wander through at your leisure to chat with the winemakers, sample wines and regional produce!
• Top up your own cellar - purchase full bottles of wine from more than 100+ wineries and take advantage of some incredible show specials!
• Master Classes - interactive talks and tastings with iconic wine identities, local SA microbrewery tastings, wine and cheese matching... plus the launch of Wine Australia’s first consumer A+ Australian Wine Master Classes!
• A+ Australian Wine SA Varietal View - tasting area featuring grouped wine varietals from all across the state.
• Regional Farmer's Market - after sampling wines and produce on your walk through the themed regional areas, head over to enjoy regional tasting platters, barbeque plates and gourmet desserts!

Something's Fermenting in Barossa

Barossa has a new restaurant. Tuoi Do and Grant Dickson have opened FermentAsian on Murray Street in Tanunda. Chef Tuoi Do was born in remote Northern Vietnam, two hours drive north-west of Hanoi, with her love of cooking leading to the new venture.

FermentAsian is an exciting addition to the region's food scene, the menu comprised of traditional Vietnamese dishes balanced by creations inspired by Southeast Asian cuisine, all of which brim with local produce.

The wine menu is well worth a look too, the carefully planned list dotted with local Barossa wines and international examples. The wine list no doubt influenced by Grant and his wine industry connections, given his fulltime role with Barossa iconic winery Rockford Wines. For all the details head to www.fermentasian.com.au.