The inspiration behind the Adelaide Wine Market was to connect wine lovers with stand-out boutique producers from all over our beautiful state. We spent hours chatting to the producers and asking them questions about their origins, creations and viticulture processes. We left with a couple of bottles of our favourites and the warm (slightly tipsy) feeling of an enriching evening well spent.

We fell for the wines crafted by the genuine folk at Max & Me; a vineyard located in the Eden Valley. Phil and Sarah turned their hobby into a business and now produce some truly spectacular wine. I am not usually a fan of Riesling but their refreshing number, born of grapes picked late in the season, was smooth in flavour and punchy in proof. The 2017 Syrah was a standout though and just had to be purchased; an incredibly smashable drop that I cannot wait to share over a home cooked dinner.

Being a sucker for bubbly lights, I was chuffed to stumble upon Chateau Yaldara’s Pinot Noir Chardonnay which is a definite party starter (check it out for only $20 a pop). Aside from great tasting wine, the ladies at the stall educated us on what brings the alluring colour to wine and it is all about the duration of the skin contact; the longer the contact, the richer the hue.

We also enjoyed chatting to the winemakers at Dell’Uva (which translates to ‘of grapes’) who’ve traipsed across Portugal, Spain and Italy to source the thirty plus continental varietals which they now grow on their modest 50 acre block. If you’re looking for something a bit different, this is definitely a producer to look into! Their Nero D’Avola was gorgeous and brought me back to a sunset drenched piazza in Sicily eating a 4 euro pizza from the gods.

The Adelaide Wine Market is held monthly at the Market Shed on Holland with the next event being held in February. Entry is $20 which buys you a glass to be filled with all-you-can-taste wine produced by the showcased viticultural artisans. There are also nibbles on offer so that you may appropriately line your stomach with carbohydrates before diving into the wine. If you’re lucky, Cheese-A-Holics will be in attendance at the next event and you’ll get to try their reason-for-eating Epoisses; a gooey cheese which melts at room temperature to the texture of grilled cheese (enough said).

Words by Vanessa De Chellis

WHERE: 1 Holland St, Adelaide