Red or white, fizzy or not, let’s raise a glass to one of the most loved alcoholic tipples there is – wine!
Saturday, May 25 is National Wine Day giving us all a Riesling for drinking vino…as if we need one. Wine has been around since 7000 BC with many ancient civilisations celebrating with a drop as well as being used in religious observances.
Did you know back in the day, women could be killed for drinking wine? In early Roman times, a husband was at liberty to kill his wife if he found her drinking wine!
That definitely wouldn’t fly today…here are six venues to toast all things wine next Saturday:
Hand-crafted Wine and Food
Set amongst a mix of eucalyptus and landscaped gardens, Sidewood Estate Cellar Door and Restaurant on River Road brings hand-crafted wine and food to the Adelaide Hills. The jet-black cladded exterior and gable-roofed Hahndorf venue features local stone flooring and warm caramel leather banquettes, along with an eclectic collection of Australian artwork.
Sample award-winning wines expertly paired with a Mod Oz menu indoors, or take to the enormous hardwood deck for a casual dining experience; perhaps sip a glass of estate Chardonnay with blue swimmer crab linguine, Pinot Blanc reduction, fermented chilli, King prawns and tarragon.
Neighbourhood Watering Hole
Swing by for a casual tipple and small bite before lingering awhile at Malvern East's neighbourhood watering hole, Essie Wine Bar on Station Street. Nestled in a two-level Victorian heritage building next to the railway station, Essie effortlessly exudes a warm and inviting space with oak tables, well-worn brick and floor-to-ceiling wine racks; on balmy days an alfresco courtyard out back beckons for a quiet spot to catch up with friends.
Sip a glass of Adelaide Hills Pinot Grigio as you graze on small plates such as chicken liver parfait and brioche, or popcorn chicken and red pepper sauce; perhaps share a cheese platter and condiments, matched with a glass of Guildford Shiraz.
Diverse Wine List
Sophistication meets relaxation at new venue on the Perth block, Más Vino on Adelaide Terrace. Nestled in the Pan Pacific Perth, this bar offers a diverse wine list, featuring a collection of local and international drops from full-bodied reds to crisp whites, enjoyed in plush surrounds of velvet chairs, oriental rugs, circular booths and moody lighting.
Whether you are a wine lover seeking to expand your knowledge or a casual drinker looking to indulge in a remarkable experience, Más Vino is a destination of choice; sip a glass of Margaret River Grenache with beef rump cap skewers and smoked potato purée.
Elegance and Refinement
Synonymous with elegance and refinement, Clover Hill Vineyard in Lebrina is one of Australia's very few premium sparkling wine producers in the traditional method. Established in 1986 on the site of an old dairy farm in North-eastern Tasmania, Clover Hill has a reputation for uncompromising quality, which has been recognised with awards like twice being awarded the state's vineyard of the year.
Crafting wines of quality from traditional varieties of champagne – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier – stop in with friends and enjoy a glass of 2016 Blanc de Blanc, paired with sardine pâté, pickled mushroom, bee pollen and honey loaf, or Tasmanian blue eye trevalla.
Enjoy the Simple Pleasures
Treasures are found in the slow moments…escape to a place of simple pleasure at Carrajung Estate Restaurant on Lays Road in Willung South. Leave hustle and bustle behind to take a scenic nature walk before heading to cosy outdoor seating areas perfect for a wine under the stars at this dining destination.
A seasonal menu showcases the unique flavours of the Gippsland region, from locally grown ingredients to pasture-raised meat and artisanal cheese; think twice-baked duck, carrots, fondant potato and orange jus, enjoyed with a glass of Estate Rosé, or Shiraz.
Flame-kissed Dishes, Matched with Estate Wine
A symbiotic relationship between food and wine, while paying homage to an estate which is steeped in history is what you’ll find at Woodcutters Restaurant at Nikola Estate on Dale Road in Middle Swan. This Swan Valley dining destination delivers flame-kissed and charcoal-roasted dishes, alongside pizzas and bread baked to perfection in the wood-fired oven, evoking a sense of place in every delicious morsel.
In chilly months cosy up beside the huge brick fireplace in a stylish dining room with a glass of Tempranillo, then tempt your palate with dishes like lamb, black olive, ratatouille, whipped polenta and smoked aubergine, accompanied by a Swan Valley Estate Shiraz.
