Winning wines, espresso martinis, plant-based fare

Upcoming food and drink happenings in SA, including a tasting of wines from the Royal Adelaide Wine Show, Plant Based at Plant 4, an Espresso Martini Festival at Lion Arts Factory, a wine dinner at Treasury 1860, and bubbly time at Hains & Co.

Sep 25, 2019, updated Sep 25, 2019

Taste of the Best – October 4

More than 2600 local and national new-release vintages and award-winning wines will be available for tasting at this showcase of wines entered into the Royal Adelaide Wine Show competition. To be held at the Adelaide Showgrounds’ Wayville Pavilion from 6-8.30pm on the Friday of the October long weekend, Taste of the Best will feature wines from 376 exhibitors, including independent winemakers. Tickets ($70) include a tasting glass to take home and cocktail food; there’s also the opportunity to join a “Riedel Sensory Workshop” or a masterclass facilitated by the National Wine Education and Training Centre.

Plant Based at Plant 4 – September 28

Plant 4 at Bowden will host its next all-vegan event from 5pm-10pm this Saturday. Plant Based at Plant 4 will feature plant-based eateries, craft beer, SA wine, cocktails featuring local spirits, handmade shopping stalls and a DJ.

Pouring Ribbons at Hains & Co – October 2

The next event in the Pouring Ribbons tasting club for women will be a celebration of all things bubbly. Sara Underdown, founder of Vine & Bubble Magazine, will guide participants in a tasting of boutique Champagnes, highlighting the nuances of each one and the subtle differences between them. Pouring Ribbons is held on the first Wednesday of each month at Hains & Co in Gilbert Place, with bookings (here) essential.

Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations – throughout October

Taking place throughout the month of October, Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations will present more than 60 events designed to showcase the region’s signature red wine: Cabernet Sauvignon. Ticketed highlights include The Family Feast (October 12), a progressive lunch with Coonawarra wine families Redman, DiGiorgio and Zema; a “5 X 5” winemakers’ degustation dinner (October 19) at Pipers of Penola, and a degustation dinner (October 19) in the historic Stables building at Katnook Estate winery. There’s also a wide range of other wine-centred events, from chocolate wine flights and a cabernet picnic, to a toast to vegan wine – see the full program here.

Lot.Oberfest – October 5-6

Lot 100 at Nairne is planning to celebrate the October long weekend by transforming its brewery shed into a “giant Octoberfest-like beer hall” on the Saturday and Sunday, with long bench tables, Mismatch beers and Adelaide Hills Cider by the stein glass, German-style food from a firepit and live music. Tickets (here) are $35.

McLaren Vale’s Spring Affair – October 6

The Spring Affair festival is described as a “roaming tour of six iconic McLaren Vale wineries”: Coriole, Mollydooker, Maxwell, Paxton, Penny’s Hill and Serafino. With bookings available for two or three-hour sessions at each winery, there will be food trucks (Pizzateca, Sooki LaLa, Japanese pancake makers Okonomiyaki and more), live music and DJs, SA beers and spirits – and, of course, plenty of wine. Read more or book your tickets here.

Paella Public at Longview – October 7

Head to the Hills to indulge in paella and other Spanish delights with Longview Vineyard and La Dolce Vita’s Paella Public Spring Edition. For $45 (plus booking fee) you get a glass of wine and lunch of paella with chicken, pork and fennel sausage, Spencer Gulf prawns, pork belly, chorizo and spring vegetables. Vegan and vegetarian options will be available, plus a kids’ menu and extras such as churros and a sharing tapas plate.

Wine dinner at Treasury 1860 – October 9

King William Street restaurant Treasury 1860 has teamed up with Taylors Wine and Fassina Liquor for a three-course, $120pp dinner matched with the winery’s premium St Andrew’s Wines. Guest will dine out on canapés of oysters and smoked ocean trout rillettes, followed by crispy pork belly and prawn salad, Angus eye fillet with roasted bone marrow, and baked Woodside Charleston jersey brie. Details here.

Espresso Martini Festival – October 12

Photo: Saige Prime

Lion Arts Factory is presenting an Espresso Martini Festival to celebrate its newly renovated and recently licensed outdoor courtyard. Beginning at 8pm, it’ll include three types of Espresso Martini – the Classic, Golden Gaytime and Double Choc Chip – plus food from Down and Out, a new falafel concept from Andy Nowell (ex-Sunny’s Pizza) and Robbie Mather of Nice Pickles. There will also be live acoustic music and DJs. Read more on CityMag.

2KW Oyster and Seafood Festival – October 13

It used to be the oyster festival, but 2KW Bar & Restaurant is expanding its focus this year to include not just bottomless oysters but also a range of seafood including canapès, paella and whole fish, all matched to still and sparkling wines from Deviation Road Winery. Tickets for the three-hour lunchtime Oyster and Seafood Festival are $99.

Charles Heidsieck dinner at Shiki – October 24

Shiki Japanese Restaurant in the InterContinental Adelaide is presenting a six-course $180pp degustation dinner paired with Champagnes by Charles Heidsieck. The menu by chef de cuisine Kenny Trinh will include a sashimi selection, scallops, lobster tail, Teppanyaki Atlantic salmon, Fried Udon noodles with Clare Valley chicken leg fillet, and a dark chocolate, raspberry and coconut mousse dome for dessert.

CheeseFest&FERMENT – October 26-27

This two-day showcase of all things cheesy and fermented in Rymill Park will feature more than 100 food and drink stalls, masterclasses and cooking demonstrations, bars, and new Italian, Spanish and French quarters celebrating international cheese, wine and produce. The festival has just released details of a series of wine masterclasses, curated by East End Cellars and featuring wines from around the world, plus a gin masterclass with the founders of Kangaroo Island Spirits. See the website for more information.

Champagne Fest – October 27

Pitched as a day of pure indulgence, the National Wine Centre’s Champagne Fest will include more than 40 different Champagnes, plus sparkling wines from Australia, America and Europe. There will also be fresh seafood and other “festival food” stations, and live entertainment. The event will run from 11am until 5pm, with entry tickets costing $25 in advance or $30 on the day (wine tastings from $2 each).

Le Dîner en Blanc – November 30

Described by promoters as “the most glamorous outdoor picnic of the year”, Le Dîner en Blanc will return to Adelaide after a year’s break, with new management at the helm. Based on a worldwide concept inspired by the iconic event of the same name in Paris, it will see diners dressed in white descend on a “secret” location laid out with tables and chairs, fine china and silverware for an evening of gourmet food, drinks, live music and dancing. Participation isn’t quite as simple as just buying a ticket, and the price hasn’t been released, but you can register to join the wait list here.