The Claire is deservedly famous for its Riesling, but… have you tried their reds? Every time we go we come back with more reds than whites. It is ridiculously good value compared to The Barossa and The McLaren, the bang for buck is exceptional, and just like McLaren new grape varieties are taking off.

#SouthAustralia #ClareValley #AustralianWine #RedWine

Fantastic start at Jim Barry Wines, then some stunning reds (Sangiovese, Grenache, Pinot noir and Cab Sauv accidentally bought) at Reilly’s Wines, then across the road for lunch at the Magpie & Stump. Phew! What a morning.

#ClaireWines #SouthAustralia #Australia #AustralianWines

Having a great morning at Chateau Yaldara, the home of one of favourite celllardoormen Sam. Methode Traditionelle that rivals the great champagne houses of France, aged ports to die for, and excellent Petit Verdot sparkling, Grenache, GSM and Shiraz. Perfect thing before breakfast.

#ChateauYaldara #Wine #Wines OfAustralia #SouthAustralia #Barossa #BarossaWine

I think some of the wineries we visit really get us.

#SouthAustralia #AustralianWines #WinesOfAustralia #Wine

Yup, El Niño has arrived with a vengeance. 6am and 27.4C overnight.

#Summer #Australia #SouthAustralia

2022 was lousy for #solar production here in #SouthAustralia compared to recent years. Our year ended approximately 0.8MWh down on the previous 4 years! It’s our first year below 8MWh, but with the very soggy winter and spring it’s not really that surprising. Here’s hoping 2023 is better! #solarpower #australia

Lightning Detected ! Energy: 177479 - distance from storm front : 1km

#SouthAustralia #Lightning #LightingSA5125 #LightningAus

Lightning Detected ! Energy: 62336 - distance from storm front : 1km

#SouthAustralia #Lightning #LightingSA5125 #LightningAus

Lightning Detected ! Energy: 12617 - distance from storm front : 1km

#SouthAustralia #Lightning #LightingSA5125 #LightningAus

Ah yes, 29C at 5am when we got up. #BOM were right - looks like the Indian Ocean Dipole, La Niña, the Southern Annular Mode and the Sub-Tropical Ridge have indeed moved phases between Christmas and New Year, as predicted…

#SouthAustralia #Australia #Weather

And how did the grid see our day? Very similar. The morning where the battery was charging from the new panels, the old were exporting to the grid, and a little bit was used in the afternoon.

The data from SAPN also shows the day before where it was sunny but cool. You can see when the battery filled and suddenly we’re exporting the rest of the day.

#SolarPower #SouthAustralia

Christmas Day and our 37C temp shows how solar+battery really works, with a modern air conditioning system. Despite having to run the AC from midday, so it only had to drip feed cold rather than fight the heat, it barely went above the 6.5kW of the first solar array. During the morning it charged the batteries ready for the main event & exported. Result? Only 1kW of net imports all day - which was easily covered off by the old 3kW system, so the day was in credit. #solarpower #SouthAustralia

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas… just like the ones I used to know.

#australia #SouthAustralia #Christmas

I'm now well and truly into plague avoidance mode. I've got 6 days to survive to ensure that D-Day on Tuesday happens, and the wrist can be operated on, otherwise it's no surgery till February :(

That means catching the plaguemobile to the city and back at non-peak times, masking I've done continuously anyway, refused all face-to-face meetings, living off our stores, and not going to the office Christmas party.

#Plaguemagedon #COVID #Surgery #Adelaide #SouthAustralia

@keepof4worlds we talked about #Sangiovese the other day - this is one of the “peasant” rosés we can get here, that absolutely laughs at the idea. Deliciously dry, fruity and smells divine! #Pauletts is a great local #ClareValley winery, with a cellar door you could stay at all day just admiring the view, and eating divine food on the balcony overlooking the valley.

#SouthAustralia #Wineries #Wine #WineOfAustralia

Drink local and eat local for Christmas and help a farmer. I can’t remember the last time we even thought about buying a non-Australian wine since we moved here. And I can’t wait for the Reed Avocado season to start - they’re easily our favourites.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2022-12-11/how-your-christmas-spread-can-help-aussie-farmers/101754166

#Food #Foodie #Wine #Wineries #SouthAustralia #Australia #avocado

and The Iberian which is a delicious easy drinking but far from simple blend of Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional, Syrah, Monastrell, Garnacha and Malbec.

Oh, and a bottle of their newly released Vin D’Or - a wine they only managed to make 20 cases of, and will lose money on every one. It’s only took 10 years to get it ready for bottling.

I do love living in South Australia

(2/2) #Wine #SouthAustralia #Adelaide #Wineries #Kuitpo #McLaren #AdelaideHills

Just been out to do our only bit of Christmas shopping - a trip down to Kuitpo (just between McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills) for lunch and to stock up on fruit courses. Courtesy of our friends at Coates, we’re now replenished with cases of their brilliant Blanc de Blancs, Limestone Coast Shiraz, a very moreish Cabernet Shiraz (2017), a delicious Dolcetto / Barbera / Sangiovese blend,

(1/2) #Wine #SouthAustralia #Adelaide #Wineries #Kuitpo #McLaren #AdelaideHills

Today was a sad day, it was our friendly local butcher’s last day before she sells it to one of the current staff. To say thanks for our custom, she gave us a spectacular red! Absolutely blown away. A Halliday 98 pointer!

https://londonwinecompetition.com/en/blog/news-2/wild-witch-shiraz-by-kellermeister-crowned-wine-of-the-year-254.htm

#butcher #adelaide #SouthAustralia #wine #Barossa #Shiraz #Kellermeister #Halliday

Sometimes being in #SouthAustralia makes timezones hard - what with being 30 minutes off the east cost, and so far ahead of Europe and the Americas.

But I love that "midnight" episode releases on Disney mean new shows are ready here at dinnertime 😀