Mayflower’s Maison Mumm Champagne Experience ­­– March 14

Bethany Finn, executive chef of the Mayfair Hotel’s Mayflower Restaurant, has crafted a five-course menu to complement Maison Mumm’s newly arrived RSRV collection of four Grand Cru Champagnes for this $239pp experience. The evening will be hosted by Mumm Champagne brand ambassador for Australia Kaitlyn Tremblay, with the hotel saying it is only the second time this particular flight of Champagnes has been offered in Australia. It will include a “dramatic Sabrage demonstration”, as well as music by a live jazz ensemble. For bookings, email [email protected].

Riot Wine Co celebration at 2KW – March 7

SA’s Riot Wine Co will be taking over the taps at 2KW Bar and Restaurant tomorrow, pouring all its core wines plus some limited-edition birthday releases. Entry is free for the 5-8pm event, and they’re also promising grape-stomping and a mini winemaking experience on the rooftop. Read more about Riot Co and the party here.

RCC Fringe wine and spirit events – until March 17

The Moon Safari Sensory Degustation at RCC Fringe (University of Adelaide) on March 17 is described as a “sensory journey across food, wine, music and lights”. The $120-a-head, 2.5-hour event (tickets here) will take place on March 17 and include food by Africola and a wine list centred around Cake Wines’ new Moon Safari rosé. Tomorrow (March 7), Cake Wines and the Fringe venue are also teaming up to host a free event exploring the Edge of Chaos and its application to winemaking. Other upcoming RCC Fringe wine and spirit events include a Starward Whisky Masterclass (March 7), a Southern to Northern Italian Wine Experience (March 14), and Balance in the Art of Winemaking (March 13), a dinner experience hosted by wine writer Nick Ryan and featuring wines from Mitchell’s Wines in the Clare Valley.

Pirate Life Fourth Birthday and Brewery Launch – March 9

Pirate Life is hosting a free party from 2pm until 10pm this Saturday to celebrate both its fourth birthday and the launch of its huge new taphouse and brewery on the corner of Baker and Barlow streets in Port Adelaide. It’ll be serving eight new limited-release birthday beers, with food from Low & Slow American BBQ, La Popular Taqueria, Sunny’s Pizza and Red Lime Shack, plus live entertainment by acts including Fringe performers Cirque Alfonse and the Hot 8 Brass Band. You can find more info about the party here, and read CityMag’s story about the new brewery and taphouse here.

Never Never Gin Tasting Masterclasses – March 10 and 17

Never Never Distilling Co has established a pop-up distillery door upstairs at The Stag Public House for the duration of the Adelaide Fringe, and between 2pm and 3pm every Sunday it’s offering a gin tasting/masterclass hosted by one of the distillery’s owners. Tickets (here) are $22, including your drinks, and each class will end with a Fancy Fruit Cup cocktail. The “distillery door” is open from 1pm-8pm on Sundays during Fringe.

Cellar Door Fest – March 15-17

The Adelaide Convention Centre’s three-day food, wine, beer and spirits festival features tastings, interactive masterclasses (including gin blending and cheese + wine), long-table dining and an Emerging Winemakers’ Zone. New features will include “Dude Food” in the Wintulichs’ Beer Garden, a New Orleans-inspired long-table lunch by NOLA Adelaide, and a long-table dinner presented by Jacob’s Creek. A range of ticket options are available – see the website for details.

Autumn Days and Chardonnays – March 17

Winemaker Rob Moody is promising to pull out some stunning wines from his museum for this long-table event at Somerled Cellar Door in Hahndorf. Guests will also be able to feast on foods that pair well with Chardonnay, such as “anchovy sticks, figlets and manchego on crusty loaves dripping in olive oil as well as a few of those crispy parmesan puffs straight from our oven”. Tickets (here) are $79.

Magnum Champagne Dinner – March 21

To be hosted by Champagne expert Tyson Stelzer, this $299-a-head dinner degustation at Sprout Cooking School will see five Champagnes (including the likes of Bollinger Special Cuvee NV and Pol Roger Vintage Brut – all served in magnums) matched to five courses including oysters, scallop carpaccio, chicken liver parfait, confit salmon and duck. Read more in this Forager story, and book tickets here.

East End Wine Down – March 23

More than 100 wines will be available to sample at this annual laneway festival hosted by East End Cellars in Vardon Avenue. You can also expect cider, gin, street-style food from local restaurants and tunes by Skin Contact. The Wine Down is on from midday until 5pm, with tickets costing $37.

Tasting Australia – April 5-14

Themed dinners with top national and international chefs in the Glasshouse Kitchen in Victoria Square, and masterclasses and tastings covering everything from gin blending and Tasmanian whisky to Bollinger Champagne will be part of this year’s 10-day Tasting Australia Festival. At the top end of the program is The Great Henschke Vintage Dinner ($950 a head) and Tasting Australia Airlines excursions to places such as the Barossa, Coffin Bay and Kangaroo Island, but there are also plenty of more affordable experiences. See the full program here.

Vegan Palooza – April 14

One vegan festival a year simply isn’t enough, so the team behind October’s Vegan Festival Adelaide have created this autumn event to be held at the Main Assembly Building, Tonsley Innovation District. Running from 11am-6pm, Vegan Palooza promises plenty of local vegan food and drinks, with details of stalls to be released in coming weeks on the Facebook page.

Chocolate Factory High Tea – April 14

Stamford Plaza Adelaide has taken inspiration from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for this showcase of “scrumdiddlyumptious delights”. Guests will be greeted with an espresso martini (hot chocolate for the kids), and in addition to the finger sandwiches and other savoury items, you can expect chocolate scones, white chocolate and Tonka-bean meringue tart, opera slice, dark chocolate biscuit roll and chocolate hazelnut macaroons. Chocolate Factory High Teatickets are $59 (plus booking fee) for adults and $35 for children.

News, tips and information?

Please send details of any upcoming food and/or drink events to: [email protected].