Adelaide Hills ‘Spring Whites & Earthly Delights’ Weekend

The Adelaide Hills Wine Region invites you to enjoy beautiful wines and remarkable flavours from the spring garden this year over their ‘Spring Whites and Earthly Delights’ weekend from October 28 to 30 2011.

Held annually, Spring Whites celebrates the beautiful white wine varietals the Adelaide Hills is renowned for, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Sparkling and Pinot Grigio, to name a few.

The Adelaide Hills is Australia's most vibrant cool climate wine region. With over 90 wine labels and 48 cellar doors. The Adelaide Hills is one of the largest geographical wine regions in Australia, and amongst the most diverse in terms of climate, soil and topography.

This year acclaimed Culinetic chef, Cole Thomas, has embraced the alternative by developing a range of unusual canapés, inspired by often overlooked spring garden ingredients. Including plants sometimes considered as weeds, Cole believes his recipes pair beautifully to bring the tasting notes of white wine to life. “It is invigorating to cast a creative eye over often overlooked produce and see how wonderfully it brings to life the palette and aromas of the unique white varietals of the Adelaide Hills,” he said.

“Pigface succulent, nasturtium and marigold flowers and unusual herbs including love lies bleeding and lovage have been selected to create dishes that reflect a beautiful interplay between the spring season and the characteristics of Adelaide Hills white wine. While the unusual ingredients have lent themselves wonderfully to some fabulous spring inspired names including ‘Garden Bloody Mary’, ‘Blooms’ and ‘Bird’s Nest’.”

A sample of the culinary creations, matched with Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc, will be unveiled at the Central Market Spring Whites and Earthly Delights launch event on Friday October 28 from 4:30 – 8:30pm, where VIP passes boasting special offers from the 20 participating wineries will be given to 100 lucky market goers. For further information and to download a brochure for the weekend please visit: www.adelaidehillswine.com.au

International Grenache Day in South Australia

Grenache is the worlds most widely-planted red grape variety, and deserves to be celebrated.
The First Grenache Symposium in June 2010 was inspired by wine legend Stephen Spurrier. His suggestion to two Rhone producers, Domaine de Mour-chon and Chene Bleu, was to hold a Grenache think-tank in the Southern Rhone. Over 250 top Grenache producers, journalists, and retailers from 23 countries came together to celebrate Grenache, which many people consider an un-sung hero of the grape world. Versatile, velvety and voluptuous, it enhances blends, yet is capable of independently pro-ducing great wines that age beautifully. The idea was born for an International celebration of this variety - the 24th of September 2010 marked the first festivity.

This year, the International Grenache Day celebration will be held on Friday 23rd of September.

Below are a few of the GreanacheDay events around South Australia.  Let us know if we have missed any.

Kay Bros
Kay Brothers Cellar Door
57 Kays Road, McLaren Vale

Their winemaking team will be hosting 3 Master Classes on the day at 1:00pm, 3:00pm and 4:00pm (each for approx 12 participants). The focus of the tasting will include two back vintages as well as the 2010 new release and a preview of the 2011 straight from the barrel. In addition they will serve delicious finger food including cured meats, cheeses, olives and wood oven bread to test the Basket Pressed Grenache‘s compatibility with food.

Reservations for the masterclasses re essential as they have limited space available - first in best dressed! Please call Cellar Door on 8323 8201 to make a booking

Turkey Flat


Grenache Vine in Barossa



Join them for a special tasting to celebrate International Grenache Day.  Available for tasting are three vintages of Grenache selected from their museum cellar. Taste 2003, 2007 & 2009 Grenache all sourced from their ancient 100 year old bush vines.

Please contact their Tasting Room for more details.
TURKEY FLAT VINEYARDS
Bethany Rd ,TANUNDA SA 5352
PH: +61 8 85632851
http://www.turkeyflat.com.au/

Henschke
Henschke are offering a vertical tasting of three vintages of Johann’s Garden in their cellar door!  This is a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Shiraz.  Johannes Garden is produced from low-yielding, old, gnarled, dry-grown bush and trellised vines from selected vineyards. 

The cellar door can be found at;
Henschke Road, Keyneton SA 5353
9am - 4.30pm

http://henschke.com.au/profile/news/read/id/19/

Cadenzia
Is a group of independent wine makers across McLaren Vale who have got together to show of this great variety in the region. The Cadenzia group have Grenache as the dominant component in blends or as straight Grenache. The term is a musical term referring to a soloist improvised performance. And so winemakers have the creative freedom and individual expression to showcase Grenache solely from McLaren Vale.

These producers include; d’Arenberg, Olivers Taranga, Dog Ridge, Yangarra, Samuels Gorge, and Maximus. There are a number of event being held with the Cadenzia group around Adelaide.

Cadenzia Dinner at Lenzerheider
6 course degustation with matching Cadenzia wines.
Tuesday 20 September, 6pm
Lenzerheider, 146 Belair Rd, Hawthorn SA 5062 Bookings on 8373 3711

National Wine Centre
Friday 23 September
5-8pm free entre

More in depth sessions are available with two masterclasses lasting 45 minutes. Meet the makers and discuss the wines.
5:30pm & 7:00pm
$15
Further information call 08 8303 7462

The Grenache Cup
The title fight between McLaren Vale & Barossa!
Grenache was among the first varieties planted in Australia. Many of the plantings remain around Barossa and McLaren Vale. Originally used for fortified wines, they have emerged as one of Australia’s greatest fine wine assets. Come and taste Grenache wines and cast your vote in the ongoing battle of Barossa v McLaren Vale.

The Edinburgh Hotel
Saturday 24 September
12:00 to 4:00

Turkey Flat 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

Ok I admit it.... I forgot. Well not forgot, just didn’t remember – not top of mind.

When you are surrounded by some great Shiraz in Barossa, I find sometimes Cabernet Sauvignon flies under the radar a little, I’m ashamed to say.

And Turkey Flat haven’t helped any either. The last time they produced a Cabernet was in 2006, which I fondly remember. But with International Cabernet Day on 1 September it was an opportunity to indulge in some great juice and their latest Cabernet release.

The 2009 show typical restrained elegant style which I love across Turkey Flat’s portfolio. Not an overripe, super extracted style much to my relief. You can tell its Cabernet with just a hint of herbaceous/tomato leaf on the nose. Sometimes I find this not that attractive in the variety but here it’s well balanced by juicy red fruit, and an intriguing savoury earthiness. Pretty violets add to the mix.

The palate shows nice acid balanced with rich dark fruit, which makes me think it could be a 10-15 year proposition. Even though it’s a new release the tannins are fine and soft. Again the same aroma characters are present on the palate; spicy cinnamon and liquorice, rich cocoa powder, with that savoury edge that lingers unremittingly.

With Barossa Cabernet this good I could almost forget about Shiraz. Well almost.

RRP: $40
Only 500 cases produced
Alcohol: 14.5%
Scores: James Halliday 94pts Tyson Stelzer 93pts
Sample provided by producer

International Cabernet Day in South Australia

A day dedicated to celebrating all things Cabernet. How perfect for South Australia.

International Cabernet Day will focus on tasting and talking about Cabernet, and using social media as the thread to connect the global conversation together. Most of the action will take place on Twitter using the hashtag #CabernetDay to link the conversation. Tasters get together across the world to taste their favourite Cabernets and take part in the global exchange. It’s called a tweetup and it’s as simple as having a chat over a glass of wine.

WHO: every wine drinker, winery, wine shop, journalist, restaurant, sommelier and chef around the world.
WHAT: Cabernet Day is meant to be a community owned celebration of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Blend and Cabernet Franc.
WHERE: on all social media sites and blogs including Facebook, Foursquare, Twitter, Friendfeed, Gowalla, Wordpress, etc….Just use the #CabernetDay hash tag in your post to make it trackable by everyone else.
WHEN: Thursday September 1, 2011 all day (this is a 24-hour thing to make it possible for people in all time zones to join)
WHY: Short answer: why not? Longer answer: Cabernet is one of the most popular and celebrated grapes in the world. South Australia produces some sensational Cabernets, from across a range of different regions and climates. Get together to discover the diversity of styles with this noble grape variety.
HOW: Add #CabernetDay to any thoughts, videos, tweets, blogs or experiences you have that day. Search the #CabernetDay hash tag by searching google, Twitter search, Facebook search or whatever monitoring software you like.

There are a range of events and tastings around South Australia. Below are a few details; let us know if there are any others or you would like yours listed. Follow @RichLingering for all that’s great about South Australian food and wine, and #CabernetDay.

ADELAIDE:
The Qwoff Boys Headquarters From 6pm
15b Richard Street, Hindmarsh SA 5007
Spots are limited so please email justin@qwoff.com.au for availability

For Adelaide wine lovers, Zema Estate are holding a dinner at Enoteca in Carrington St Adelaide, Thursday 1st September 7.00 – 11.00pm. Click here for a copy of the menu including matching wines and booking details.

BAROSSA VALLEY
Wolf Blass Visitors Centre 5-7pm
97 Sturt Hwy Nurioopta, SA 5355
Jump straight into some sensational Barossa Cabernet’s matched to Hutton Vale’s spring lamb (also from Barossa). For more details.

Turkey Flat Vineyards cellar door 11am-5pm
Bethany Rd, Tanunda SA 5253
Special tasting featuring their 2000, 2004 & 2009 Cabernet!

McLAREN VALE
dArenberg 1pm - 3pm
Osborn Road, McLaren Vale SA 5171

More details here.

COONAWARRA
Zema Estate Winery, 5.30pm to 6.30pm
Riddoch Hwy, Coonawarra
At Zema Estate Cellar Door they will be offering tastings of our Cabernets both current release wines as well as some rare aged Cabernets. This will also be the first opportunity for visitors to the Cellar Door to gain a 'sneak peak' tastings of the yet to be released 2006 'Family Selection' Cabernet Sauvignon. If you are calling in, don't forget to ask about their Cabernet Day sales specials. More details here.

Coonawarra twitterers for a Cabernet Day Taste & Tweet Up
Zema Estate Cellar Door 5.30pm to 6.30pm
Sampling cabernets not just from Coonawarra (all samples welcome).

Adelaide Good Food & Wine Show

The Good Food & Wine Show is back in Adelaide again and the tickets have just gone on sale!

Take a journey of flavour as you taste delicious food from some of Adelaide's own including Heavenly Delight, Murray River Salt, Gelista, Matchetts and Riverland Smallgoods to name a few. You will also be able to discover other exhibitors from around the country, including mouth-watering meats, delicious cheeses and amazing baked goods and sweets.

As an exclusive to the Good Food & Wine Show, UK celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott, will be heading to Adelaide solely for the Show, where he will share his diverse, delicious and simple approach to cooking. Other celebrity chefs, who will be there to cook up a storm are Manu Feildel; Matt Moran and Tobie Puttock. So book your tickets now to get the best seats in the house to see them live on stage!

Whether you enjoy savouring fine wine, meeting celebrity chefs or discovering new cuisines to cook at home - you won't want to miss the Adelaide Good Food & Wine Show.

Cheese Discovery Class
Take an exhilarating journey through the world of cheese in this 45 minute class, as you taste your way through a variety of cheese styles. Tickle your tastebuds as each cheese is matched with a selected wine or beer and range of accompaniments.

Riedel Decanter Bar
If you want to learn more about the wine you love to drink, then book into a Riedel Decanter Bar session which is both educational and insightful. Limited to only 20 guests, there are a number of different sessions to do, from Shiraz to Sparkling and Pinot to Greek wine sessions, each led by our celebrated fine wine sommeliers.

The Good Food & Wine Show will be on 7 – 9 October 2011 at the Adelaide Showgrounds. Tickets can be booked via Ticketek

Barossa Gourmet Weekend 2011

Barossa Valley is well known for its sensational wines and gorgeous regional food. The region has a fabulous weekend (20 and 21 August) to celebrate the best of the Barossa wine region. With 27 wineries generously showcasing their world famous wines paired with heart-warming food and the best of SA live entertainment, the Gourmet Weekend is guaranteed to banish the winter blues. Come and experience Barossa hospitality at its best!

To get your experience underway, simply purchase a NAB Barossa Gourmet wine glass for $5 at the first winery you visit. Hang on to it as this glass can be used throughout the weekend at all participating wineries. For more information visit http://www.barossagourmetweekend.com.au/

This year sees the introduction of some special events guaranteed to delight locals and visitors alike. Take in a movie at Jacob’s Creek Visitor Centre on Friday 19 August, or relax with selected museum wines at the Penfolds Supper Club. For those with a culinary leaning, the Regional Cooking School at Yalumba, hosted by Peter Clarke from Vintners Bar and Grill, on Sunday 21 August will an essential foodie experience.

The Barossa Gourmet Weekend program is available here.

Steven ter Horst Chocolatier

As we all know chocolate is one of the four main food groups. Wine, cheese, and something else complete the lineup.

Adelaide now has a new chocolatier. Stephen ter Horst has opened up a shop on Unley Road in Malvern, Adelaide. He has combined the best ingredients South Australia has to offer, with the highest quality chocolate from Belgium. This allows him to perfectly balance the hand-crafted chocolates. Not to forget the luscious petit gateaux and tarts.

A couple of the more interesting and delectable truffles include; 'Olio' a gorgeous dark chocolate with Olive Oil, and the 'Fleur de Sel' with a luscious salted caramel filling.

These can be paired with hot chocolates and Coffee Barun single origin coffees. Oh that's right, coffee is the other main food group.