In a part of Adelaide already crowded with bars, Jennie fixes its gaze on a smart selection of wines from around the world. While championing small growers and producers embracing sustainable practise, there are also a lot of surprises on the list – especially a selection of Maderia, always close at hand.
The Jennie list leans slightly more left of centre to more conventional tastes, with a mix of textures to explore, but a regulars’ favourite is the daily mystery wine, which is always a hit with punters looking for a quick but challenging sip.
Lachlan spearheads front-of-house, presenting a list with about 250 bottles and at least 27 wines sold by the glass (plus a few more beloved Madeira). The list boasts a balanced 50/50 split of domestic wines and internationals, with an eye on promoting diversity. “I drink for the same reason people like to go traveling – to taste and experience new things,” says Lachlan. “So that’s what we provide at Jennie; an offering that can appeal to a parochial local but with an extensive list of wines from abroad to take people on a journey of discovery.”
While it’s not dogmatic, Jennie’s philosophy is about championing small growers and producers who practice sustainable, organic and bio-dynamic farming reflecting their origin, vintage, grape variety and the personality of the grower. “While we feature what’s known as ‘natural’ wines, I dislike that phrase. I like to show that most small, quality-conscious producers make wines with no additions that are clean and varietal. That’s our main mantra.”
The space is small, encouraging intimate conversations – 22 seats inside, 29 outside – and food is provided as a subtle accompaniment, with fresh oysters shucked to order, a coveted 9+ marble score wagyu bresaola, Olasagasti anchovies, and snack plates utilising seasonal items with a selection of pickles, cured meats and cheeses.
An online component of the Jennie business offers a wine subscription service, providing packs of three or six selected wines with tasting notes and recipe ideas.
And the bar name? It revives the forgotten moniker for a 500ml wine bottle, and the owners also like its unpretentious nature; likely to surprise serious wine fans rather than set any preconceived notions.
On the face of it, The Summertown Aristologist started as a restaurant that acts as a showcase for the wines of Anton van Klopper (Lucy Margaux) and Jasper Button (Commune of Buttons). But it’s a lot more than that. A whole lot more. Van Klopper sat on the lease of an old shop on Greenhhill…
La Buvette could not proclaim its Frenchness any more emphatically, with the retro-Parisian exterior a striking blue that could have been lifted straight from the Tricolore, and name and purpose stated in classic script font and oh-so Gallic drop shadow. Yes, it’s immediately clear what you’re in for at La Buvette. Well, to a degree….
Please sign in or create account as candidate to bookmark this job
Please sign in or create account to save this search
Please sign in or create account as candidate to create a resume
