Tasting Australia 2025, the 10-day festival of food and wine, will pop the cork in Adelaide next week. We guide you through the events with French flair from champagne masterclasses to decadent dinners, and even an immersive virtual reality experience that takes you inside the kitchen of a Michelin-starred French chef. Read on to discover all the French-linked events happening at Tasting Australia 2025.
CHAMPAGNE EVENTS AT TASTING AUSTRLIA 2025
3 May, Drinks Academy, Town Square (Victoria Square)
$249
Celebrate champagne and all things sparkling at this luxurious tasting event featuring nine wines—from South Australian sparklings to top Champagnes—guided by expert voices including champagne importer and author Kaaren Palmer, sommelier Samuel Taylor, and sparkling wine educator Curly Haslam-Coates. Discover styles from blanc de blancs to rosé, with a cheese plate to match.
INCLUSIONS: a cheese plate and nine wine tastings
6 May, Cremorne Hotel, UNLEY
220 $
Enjoy an intimate champagne masterclass at Adelaide’s newest suburban speakeasy, Bar 1854. Sip fine French bubbles paired with gourmet canapés like oysters, caviar blini and lobster tartlets, all guided by a sommelier for a luxurious tasting experience.
INCLUSIONS:
- Food: Six canapés
- Beverages: Six French champagne tastings, with additional glasses available to purchase
South Australia’s Finest Catch: A Seafood and Champagne Déjeuner
10 May, Garçon Bleu, Sofitel Adelaide, ADELAIDE
$245.
Indulge in a luxurious long-table seafood lunch at Sofitel Adelaide’s flagship restaurant Garçon Bleu, paired with three premium Pommery champagnes. Hosted by a Pommery representative, this elegant experience blends the finest South Australian seafood with French flair.
INCLUSIONS:
- Food: Oysters on arrival followed by a three-course lunch
- Beverages: One glass of paired champagne with each course, with additional drinks available to purchase
- Full menu
Matchmakers – Sparkling Wine & Fizz (SOLD OUT – JOIN THE WAITLIST)
4 May, Journey Beyond Lounge @ Town Square (Victoria Square)
$40
Get to know your perfect match fizz in these relaxed tastings with top South Australian producers, including DAOSA, Mordrelle, The Other Right, Delinquente, and Honey Moon Vineyard. Over 30 sparkling-filled minutes, chat with winemakers, sip standout wines, and dive into the bubbly side of life.
INCLUSIONS: 8 wine tastings from featured producers
WHITE WINE EVENTS AT TASTING AUSTRALIA 2025
10 May, Drinks Academy, Town Square (Victoria Square)
$195
Explore the evolution of Australian chardonnay in this guided tasting with winemakers Melanie Chester and Gareth Belton, and importer Sophie Carbonneau from Bibendum Wine Co.. Sample standout drops while tracing the variety’s journey from bold and oaky to balanced and world-class.
INCLUSIONS: A cheese plate and 12 wine tastings
RED WINE EVENTS
Masterclass: Global Exploration of Shiraz, anchored in the Barossa
3 May, Drinks Academy, Town Square (Victoria Square)
$145
Dive into the world of shiraz with Seppeltsfield’s Fiona Donald, drinks curator Banjo Harris Plane and guests as they unpack terroir in this engaging masterclass. Taste single-vineyard wines from the Grounds collection and global counterparts while exploring how place shapes flavour.
INCLUSIONS: A cheese plate and 10 wine tastings
3 May, Journey Beyond Lounge @ Town Square (Victoria Square)
$40 (or $35 each when purchasing 2)
Get to know grenache in this relaxed tasting session featuring top South Australian producers and wine expert Max Allen. Sip and chat as winemakers share their unique takes on this heat-loving red that’s making waves globally.
INCLUSION: wine tastings from featured producers
6 May, Longplay Bistro, ADELAIDE
$150
Dive into McLaren Vale’s finest with grenache champions Peter Fraser (Yangarra) and Stephen Pannell (S.C. Pannell) in this insightful masterclass. Explore old vines, single-site expressions, terroir, tannin structure, and the art of medium-bodied reds through a curated tasting and expert-led conversation.
INCLUSIONS:
- Food: Small tasting plate with wine brackets
- Beverages: Tastings across four wine brackets
Matchmakers – Pinot Noir (SOLD OUT – JOIN THE WAITLIST)
9 May, Journey Beyond Lounge @ Town Square (Victoria Square)
$40
Indulge in the allure of pinot noir in this casual tasting experience, featuring expert insights from winemakers like Melanie Chester of Giant Steps and six renowned South Australian producers. Explore standout expressions of this seductive variety and engage in lively discussions with the makers themselves.
INCLUSIONS: 8 wine tastings from featured producers
Tasting Table – Pinot Noir (SOLD OUT – JOIN THE WAITLIST)
8 May, Jennie Wine Bar, 7 Peel Street, ADELAIDE
$100
Join the rising star Melanie Chester of Giant Steps for an in-depth exploration of powerful pinot noir at this Tasting Table. Discover stunning single-vineyard selections from the Yarra Valley’s renowned Giant Steps, including the celebrated Bastard Hill vineyard, at Peel Street wine bar Jennie.
INCLUSIONS: six Giant Steps wines, including single vineyard releases
ROSÉ
10 May, Journey Beyond Lounge @ Town Square (Victoria Square)
$40
Join a group of South Australian winemakers for a deep dive into rosé, featuring stars like Andre Bondar, Amber Ochota, Irina Santiago-Brown from Inkwell Wines, Sven Joschke of Sven Joschke Wine, Andy Cummins from Rasa Wines, and Pete Schell of Spinifex Wines, Paul Carpenter from Gemtree Wines, and Marcell Kustos from LUDO Wines. Explore elegant, textural wines inspired by European traditions but with a unique South Australian sensibility.
INCLUSIONS: 8 wine tastings from featured producers
LEARN ABOUR WINE GENERALLY AT TASTING AUSTRALIA 2025
10 May, Drinks Academy at Town Square, $100
A-Z of Wine 2.0 is back, offering a tasting journey from albariño to zinfandel, featuring the best of South Australian wines and spirits alongside inspired picks from interstate and overseas. Enjoy a 90-minute experience with producers and paired snacks, and discover a new favourite drink for every letter of the alphabet.
INCLUSIONS : Walk around wine tasting and snacks
Learn: Cellaring: Building a Cellar and Ageing Wines
3 May, Drinks Academy at Town Square (Victoria Square)
$49
Join Andrew Hardy and Curly Haslam-Coates for an hour-long session on stocking a cellar, covering savvy buys, ageing techniques, and must-have labels. With their extensive expertise in Australian wine, you’ll gain valuable insights into building and nurturing a wine collection that evolves over time.
Includes one tasting plate and 4 wine tastings
4 May, Drinks Academy at Town Square (Victoria Square)
$49
Join Tasting Australia drinks curator Meira Harel and wine educator Curly Haslam-Coates for a session on mastering food and wine pairings. With their extensive experience, they’ll guide you through the basics, ensuring you’re equipped to pair like a pro and host your next dinner party with confidence.
Includes one tasting plate and 4 wine tastings
8 May, Drinks Academy, Town Square (Victoria Square)
$49
Join James Audas, Lo-Fi Wines importer and former noma sommelier, alongside Tasting Australia drinks curator Banjo Harris Plane for an introduction to natural wine. This relaxed session will cover the basics, with plenty of time for questions and a tasting of some exceptional natural wines, including those featured at Byron Bay’s Bar Heather.
INCLUSIONS: one snack and four wine tastings
A FUN PARISIAN TRADITION
Waiter’s Race (Une course des Garçons de Café)
4 May, Town Square (Victoria Square)
FREE
Local waiters will compete in a South Australian twist on the classic international waiters’ race, testing their pace and poise as they carry trays full of items. Inspired by races first held in cities like London and Paris, the event celebrates the skill and grace of front-of-house teams, with 7News sports presenter Mark Soderstrom overseeing the race, which will take place between Town Square and the other side of Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga.
FOOD & WINE EVENTS AT TASTING AUSTRALIA
Around the world with Penfolds
9 May, Penfolds Magill Estate Underground Cellar, MAGILL
$190
Experience the world’s top wine regions at Penfolds’ interactive tasting in the underground tunnels of Magill Estate, featuring curated canapés paired with wines from Australia, France, the USA, and China. As the evening unfolds, the atmosphere shifts with a DJ setting the tone for dancing, and wines will be available for purchase, offering a unique global wine journey.
Tasting experience with canapés: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
After-party with DJ entertainment: 8:00pm – 10:00pm
INCLUSIONS:
- Food: Substantial paired canapés curated by Scott Huggins
- Beverages: Tasting of eight wines: Champagne Cuvée NV, Bin 704, Quantum, Penfolds II Cabernet Sauvignon, CWT 521, FWT 585, Bin 389, Penfolds Grange. Wines available for purchase at the after-party.
- Additional items: DJ entertainment
Immersive Bites: A VR culinary exploration
10 May, Alliance Française d’Adelaide, WAYVILLE
$85
Experience a fusion of virtual reality and real-world flavours in this innovative event by Alliance Française Adelaide. Guests will be immersed in the kitchens of Michelin-starred chefs Hélène Darroze and Yumi Chiba through 10-minute video pieces, each paired with tasting-size dishes crafted by a local South Australian chef, accompanied by wine pairings, offering a multi-sensory journey that celebrates global gastronomy and local produce.
INCLUSIONS:
- Food: Two entrée-sized dishes: one savoury, one sweet
- Beverages: One mocktail on arrival, followed by two paired wines
- Additional items: VR experience with two 10-minute videos
9 May, PARC Brasserie & Bar, ADELAIDE
$175
Indulge in a three-course set menu at PARC Brasserie & Bar, meticulously curated by chef Francis Luzinier, and perfectly paired with wines from Deviation Road winery. This exclusive event offers a private dining experience where each course is matched with Deviation Road’s finest selections, promising an evening of exceptional dining and wine pairing.
INCLUSIONS:
- Food: Canapés and a set three-course dinner menu
- Beverages: Paired wine with each course, with additional drinks available for purchase
European Holiday 6 Course Degustation Dinner
9 May, Stamford Plaza Adelaide, ADELAIDE
$148
Take a European holiday from your table in this decadent six-course degustation. Head chef Dane Racic will recreate classic dishes from culinary capitals while also featuring the best South Australian produce.
Each course is a love letter to its city of origin, with local ingredients bringing new life to these timeless classics. English fish and chips, German confit pork, Spanish gazpacho and Belgian truffles are among highlights of this lavish journey.
INCLUSIONS:
- Food: Six-course dinner
- First course – London, England; Second course – Rome, Italy; Third course – Baden, Germany; Fourth course – Andalusia, Spain: Gazpacho with Port MacDonnell lobster medallions poached in butter and served with shaved crusty sourdough
- Fifth course – Paris, France: Poached meringue in an island of vanilla bean anglaise sauce, served with tuile wafer
- Sixth course – Brussels, Belgium: A trio of chocolate truffles featuring white, dark and milk varieties
- Beverages: Paired wines
French bistrot food at Town Square
You don’t have to go to an event to indulge in French food at Tasting Australia 2025. Among the food vendors at Tasting Australia 2025 is Le Cordon Vert, which will be serving delicious French bistrot dishes like French onion soup, Bistro salad with goats cheese, chicken cordon bleu goujons, and steak frites. Town Square will be open:
Friday 2 May: 11AM — Midnight
Saturday 3 May: 11AM — Midnight
Sunday 4 May: 11AM — 9PM
Monday 5 May: 11AM — 9PM
Tuesday 6 May: 11AM — 9PM
Wednesday 7 May: 11AM — 9PM
Thursday 8 May: 11AM — 11PM
Friday 9 May: 11AM — Midnight
Saturday 10 May: 11AM — Midnight
Sunday 11 May: 11AM — 8PM
KEY INFO FOR TASTING AUSTRALIA 2025
WHAT: Tasting Australia 2025
WHEN: 2-11 May 2025
WHERE: various venues in Adelaide and South Australia
HOW: Purchase your tickets (or add yourself to the waitlist) via the event links above.
HOW MUCH: Event prices vary depending on the event
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