A taste of Tasting Australia

Food and wine happenings in South Australia, including Tasting Australia events that will take you from an underground cellar in the Barossa, to a wine disco in the Hills, a Heroines Table in McLaren Vale, and a ‘picnic’ in Chesser Street.

Apr 26, 2017, updated Apr 26, 2017

Heroines Glass to Soul, a Tasting Australia event at Fall From Grace at Aldinga on May 5, will feature tastings from some of SA's leading female winemakers.

Tasting Australia – April 30 – May 7

The eight-day Tasting Australia festival begins this weekend, encompassing events in both the city and regions with top Australian and international chefs including Marco Pierre White, Ana Ros and Frank Camorra. The festival’s “Town Square” in Victoria Square is open daily and includes a showpiece restaurant, The Glasshouse Kitchen, street-style food vendors cooking over coals, and a Tasting Australia bottle shop.

Here a taste of the events on offer:

Saltram Underground Tour with Chef’s 5-Course Feast – May 1-6
This event begins with a tasting of premium wines in the barrel hall of Saltram Wine Estate in the Barossa, followed by a tawny tasting in the underground cellar, then five courses of regional food matched with wines in the Saltram restaurant. See available sessions here. $80.

Heroines Table – May 4
Three courses of shared platters, plus drinks, presented by Fleurieu Peninsula chef Karena Armstrong and Sydney chef and Maggie Beer alumna Alex Herbert at The Salopian Inn in McLaren Vale. A celebration of women in food, Heroines Table will also feature a panel of speakers including Analiese Gregory (Bar Brose, Sydney), Sue Bell (Bellwether Wines) and Michelle McColl (Kalangadoo Organics). $150

Feasting on Film – May 5
Guests at Feasting on Film will watch a screening of the 1987 Academy Award-winning film Babette’s Feast while enjoying a five-course meal inspired by the movie in the Glen Ewin Estate Pulpshed, Lower Hermitage. $150.

Taste Glynde & Co – April 30
Showcasing the food producers of Glynde, as well as the neighbouring precincts of Norwood and Stepney, Taste Glynde & Co will offer the chance to sample award-winning produce, watch cooking demonstrations where local chefs will share their secrets and favourite recipes, and taste wine and craft beer from Tidswell Wines, Salena Estate and Little Bang Brewing Company. There will also be kids’ cooking classes and live music. Running from 10am until 4pm, the event is at Robern Menz, 71 Glynburn Road. Entry is free.

Chesser Street Picnic – May 6
A long-table dinner (including canapes, entree, shared main course and dessert) prepared by chefs at the Henry Austin, with guest Primo Caon from the iconic Chesser Street Cellars. The Chesser Street Picnic begins at 6pm. $95

Spirits of Australia – May 6
Hosted by East End Cellars and running from 12pm until midnight, Spirits of Australia will include gin flights, the opportunity to meet and speak with distillers, cocktails, and 14 firepits serving fare cooked by SA chefs. Free entry and tastings.

Chef’s Supper Club – May 6
Described as a decadent “stand-up cocktail style affair”, this Chef’s Supper will comprise 20 individual servings from 20 chefs including Sean Connolly (Sean’s Kitchen, Adelaide), Ana Ros (Hiša Franko, Slovenia) and Mitch Orr (ACME, Sydney), plus wine. It’s at the Glasshouse Kitchen in Victoria Square. $250

Fresh Wine Disco – May 6
Led by Tasting Australia 2017 ambassador Taras Ochota (pictured above), of Ochota Barrels, the Fresh Wine Disco will feature disco tunes by DJs including DJ Boogie Monster (actor Alex Dimitriades), burgers from Sydney outlet Mary’s Burgers, and the chance to try more than 30 wines from the new guard of Adelaide Hills winemakers. $79.

Grange Experience – 6 vintages over 6 decades – May 6
Admittedly, this is only for those with deep pockets, but it is also a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The East End Cellars Masterclass in the Glasshouse Tasting Room will see participants taste six different vintages of Grange from Penfolds, from the 1960s through to 2012, including Georg Jensen Hallmark Cuvee to begin and Great Grandfather Port to finish. $950.

Download the full Tasting Australia program here.

The Long Table Wine Experience – May 3

Hosted by the National Wine Centre, this dinner promises to take guests on a journey through the Adelaide Hills, Clare Valley and Barossa – all on one long table. Four courses crafted by chef de cuisine Steven Clark will be complemented by wines from Guthrie Wines, Hersey Wines, Clos Clare and Schwarz Wines. The dinner begins at 6.30pm on Wednesday, May 3, and tickets are $120 (bookings here).

Clare Valley on Leigh Street – May 5

In the lead-up to the Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend, this pop-up event in the city will feature new vintage varieties, flagship wines and iconic Rieslings from 22 of the region’s wineries, including Kilikanoon, Paulett, Penna Lane, Sevenhill Cellars, Tim Adams and Claymore. Clare Valley on Leigh Street will run from 4.30pm until 7.30pm on Friday, May 5.

Bottega Rotolo cheese classes

Bottega Rotolo is hosting a range of cheese classes throughout the coming months in which participants will taste and learn about different cheeses and drinks that can accompany them. Classes include French Cheese on May 3 ($50 per person), Blue Cheese and Dessert Wine on May 24 ($65 per person), Cheese and Whisky on June 7 ($75 per person) and White Mould Cheese on July 5 ($50 per person). All classes run from 6.30pm-8pm and are held at Bottega Rotolo’s King William Road store. Bookings here.

Fleurieu Olive Harvest Open Day – May 7

Olive lovers can learn how extra virgin olive oils are made, pick their own olives, go on guided walking tours of groves and join interactive cooking classes during the family-friendly Fleurieu Olive Harvest Open Day at Nangkita Olives at Tooperang from 10am until 4pm on Sunday, May 7. Entry is free, and for $30 you can enjoy a lunch with spit roast, wood-fired pizza, cheese, side dishes and Nangkita Ridge Wines.

Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend – May 19-22

Almost 40 wineries, three breweries and 30 restaurants will be participating in events during the Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend this May. The program includes tasting and blending sessions, master-classes, opportunities to meet the winemakers, picnics, gourmet breakfasts, long-table lunches, live music and more. See the full program for event details and shuttlebus services.

The Fruitful Pursuit [Autumn ’17] – May 27

The Fruitful Pursuit is bringing the best in forward-thinking Australia winemakers to The Henry Austin, including South Australian favourites Jauma, Sanglier and The Mysterious Mr Black. The event will also feature a heavy roster of interstate talent, officially launching The Fruitful Pursuit’s broader national focus. Tickets are $65 plus booking fee, and the event will run from noon until 4pm on Saturday, May 27.