Swirling Stories: How The National Wine Centre Brings Australia’s Wine Regions To Life
Duy Huynh
In partnership with the National Wine Centre
Monty editor Tobias Handke headed along to the National Wine Centre for one of their tasting experiences and spoke with Head Sommelier Andrew Bruce about the role the Centre plays in celebrating Australian wine
The National Wine Centre has been the beating heart of the country’s wine industry for 25 years. Not only is it a celebration of the Aussie wine industry, but the Centre acts as a major hub for wine education, tourism and experiences seven days a week.
I must admit, I’ve never stepped foot in the Centre and thought it was nothing more than a function space, but as it turns out, this creatively designed building is so much more. Not only does the Centre host special events and tastings, but there is a fully equipped bar, the aptly titled Wined Bar, that’s open daily and serves both wine and food, with over 120 bottles on offer. Wine lovers can stop by for lunch with a glass of the good stuff, enjoy a tour of the Centre or take part in one of several tasting experiences, including the degustation Cellar Dining Experience, which pairs wine with food, and the Australian Wine Masterclass, which was my reason for visiting.
Arriving for the afternoon tour and tasting experience, a small group of fellow wine enthusiasts and I were met by our guide, Sommelier Fernando Miyazaki. Friendly, knowledgeable and personable, he took us on an informative journey through the history of wine in Australia, highlighting important figures such as James Busby, also known as the Father of Australian wine, and Richard Hamilton, the man behind South Australia’s first family of wine, while explaining how the industry has evolved over the years.
One of the most interesting parts of the tour revolved around the Centre’s cork tree. Unbeknownst to me, corks come from a tree. Who would have thought? This was explained by Fernando in great detail, with the Sommelier discussing how Australia changed from corks to screw-top lids in the ‘70s as a money saver, with SA’s own Yalumba helping pioneer the move.
After the tour, seven of us made our way into the belly of the Centre for the Australian Wine Masterclass. Surrounded by thousands of bottles of wine from across the country in the largest open cellar in the Southern Hemisphere, Fernando presented us with five wines (two white, two red, one rosé) chosen personally by him that showcase the diverse nature of Australian wine.
The Australian Wine Masterclass was not only a tasty exercise, but an educational experience that shed more light on the inner workings of the local industry and gave the group a better understanding of the characteristics of each wine, with Fernando happy to discuss everything from how the environment impacts the grapes, the story behind each glass and what food pairs best with each varietal.
Did you know olives act as flavour modifiers and you’re encouraged to eat them with wine to impact the taste of what you are drinking? Me neither, but it didn’t take long before I was snacking on olives between sips, with my palate opened to an array of new taste sensations. As someone who enjoys a red, it was the final glass of Henschke Keyneton Euphonium 2022 that really got my taste buds working overtime. A warm, premium blend with a taste of forest fruits and spice, it was a delicious drop with a reasonable price tag
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The Australian Wine Masterclass proved a wonderful snapshot of the country’s wine regions, and with every tasting featuring different wines, you can visit multiple times and always try something new. But if you really want to take a deep dive into the different varieties of wine available at the National Wine Centre, stop by the Tasting Room.
“We’ve got 50 regions up in that room,” explains Head Sommelier Andrew Bruce, who helps curate the Tasting Room’s wine selection. “When we go to buy the wines, we’re not buying it for a museum piece, we’re buying it because we want that wine to go to somebody’s lips.”
With over 30 years in the wine and hospitality industry, Andrew has a deep knowledge and passion for wine. Beginning as a food and beverage attendant at the Wined Bar, Andrew worked his way up to Head Sommelier, a position he took over in 2022.
Speaking about what wine means to him, Andrew’s passion is obvious.
“It’s more than just what’s in the glass. It’s a geography lesson. It takes you to places. It reminds you of people you’ve met and the food that you’ve eaten.” He believes his role, along with all the staff at the National Wine Centre, is to highlight the “regionality and the diversity of the Australian wine industry.” It’s about trying to find the next big producers while also focusing on “the stalwarts of the industry, the founding families of the Australian wine industry and unearthing hidden gems.”
Working at the Centre allows Andrew the chance to not only share his passion for wine but also help educate visitors in fun and immersive ways. Take the Wine Centre’s upcoming initiative, the A to Z of Australian Wine Regions, which Andrew is heavily involved with. Each month, the Wine Centre will highlight a wine region, offering visitors the chance to sample a range of varietals from a specific area. “It really gives a whole snapshot of the Australian wine industry,” he says.
Many of the wines on offer at the National Wine Centre are available via their online store, which currently hosts a curated selection of around 330 bottles combining both rare and fine wines with more affordable local drops.
“There might be a $200 bottle of wine you’ve heard a lot about, but if it’s a bit out of [your] reach at the moment, we’ve got an entry level of about $50 or $60,” Andrew explains. “Yes, we have allocations, and you’ve got to be in quickly to get [them]. But broadly speaking, I think wine should be accessible and fun and enjoyable for everybody, done best with good company and food.”
As I discovered during my afternoon, the National Wine Centre is more than just the figurehead of the Australian wine industry – it’s a fully immersive tribute to Australian wine with interactive experiences and tastings staffed by passionate, wine-loving folk where you can discover and taste the best wine from SA and across the country without having to leave the CBD.
The National Wine Centre is located at the Corner of Botanic and Hackney Road, Adelaide. For more information, visit nationalwinecentre.com.au or call (08) 8313 3355.
