SA is known for its winery cellar doors; how could we not be with so many regions all on our doorstep? But if the line up at The Cellar Door Fest is anything to go by, the cellar door is not just restricted to wine.
Last week we were treated to a preview of things to come at the Cellar Door Fest 2017 and the line up has something for all tastes. We started at the home of the Fest, The Adelaide Convention Centre. If you haven’t been down there since the renos have finished that’s an experience in itself; it is massive! And fortunately for those of us that are directional-ly challenged, there are helpful staff to guide you along the way. We were treated to a spritz making class with Reggie from Man Of Spirit. A spritz is the combination of sparkling wine, soda water and some kind of liqueur (generally Campari or Aperol). Usually we are against messing with the perfection that is the classic but this time ’round we were wrong. Adelaide Hills-made Appelwood Limonchello, turmeric shrub, SA sparkling and soda served tall with a lemon wheel and fresh blackberries was a glass of absolute sunshine.
Tne Cellar Door Fest will be held at Adelaide Convention Centre.
Next we headed to The Henry Austin to sample some Vinteloper wines. The plan was to take off our heels and stomp some grape but unfortunately the bizarre weather meant there were no grapes to stomp. We were assured the grape will be ready in time for the Fest so if you wish to leave your mark on some wine when at the Fest maybe avoid wearing long pants! We were able to sample the range including the Park Wine. Coming in red and white, the Park Wine is packaged in a longneck stubbie and made for drinking in a park (like we needed an excuse). The range was paired with the always delectable food at the Henry Austin including smoked mussels and steak tartare. We finished with Golden Gay Time macarons from The Sugar Man Patisserie (yes, you read that right).
Last stop was a 10 minute Uber drive to Thebarton’s own Ambra Liqueurs. We finished the night off with cocktails from SA cocktail training matched with desserts from Red Cacao in Stirling. Our favourite was the cocktail made with the Ambra Chocolatino matched with salted caramel truffles. The truffles had a liquid core or rich caramel, which explodes in your mouth, and the liqueur was flavoured with orange an chocolate giving the cocktail and jaffa like taste (would be perfect in an espresso martini too!).
Ambra Liqueurs’ delicious limoncello.
The Cellar Door Fest is redefining the idea of a ‘cellar door’ to include all the gastronomical delights this state has to offer. From our favourite Barossa Valley Shiraz to Thebarton limonchello to Stirling-made chocolate there is something to tickle everyone’s fancy. The Fest is on this weekend the 24th till the 26th so be sure to head on down and indulge.
