In Search of a Wine for St Roch

Have you ever given somebody a bottle of wine only to discover it tasted awful? I unwittingly have!

Those fun filled afternoons, wine tasting with friends, every sip somehow boosting your wine prowess. Great memories that continue to be triggered with every glass you get to enjoy. But what about when you end up bringing home an unexpected flavour amongst the booty. There was something about the label, atmosphere, the bottle, the person serving you, it was just different, all the above. And then of course, our tastes are so personal. You say ‘tomAto’, I might say ‘tomarto’, scientifically it might be referred to as an apple! You see my dilemma?

Coming from a design background, I know constraints are required to allow for a starting point in a ‘what if’ situation, such as ‘what wine to offer at St Roch’?

St Roch is in South Australia, where there are world class vineyards and winemakers, so constraint number 1. will be, the wine must be South Australian.

Who will it be offered to? Guests and visitors at St Roch. Will it be offered with food, and if so, what food? Sometimes there will be food, although in good Italian tradition it should always be accompanied by something to nibble on. My time in Milan taught me that. Initially, it will be summertime, so perhaps something light that will be cool, even crisp on a sunny day. Something to sip as people move through, critiquing the artwork on exhibit. Constraint number 2. will be, the first wine is a white variety.

With a bit of effert and consulting with those a bit batty about wine, I have been pointed in the direction of the “Halliday Wine Companion” as a great source of information on wineries and their wines.

Halliday Wine Companion 2026, published by Hardie Grant Books

Right, we are off to do some wine tasting with the guidance of the tasting team in Halliday’s book. Stay tuned for what we discover.