The Auswine Forum

Hi all

It's been a while since the last Offline, and I have noticed lots of new posters who list Brisvegas as their location. Shall we get together and open a few good bottles?

Date: March is slipping away already so April 4 would seem to be the first realistic opportunity - then we have Easter, Anzac Day and Labour Day, so the 9th of May may be next date. Either is fine with me.

Venue: I would be happy to use Giardinetto again as transport is good, the food is good and not ridiculously priced, and corkage is only $3 per person (though it is definitely a BYOG affair). Happy to consider other suggestions.

Theme: What about "Wines of W.A."? Gives us options of Chardy, SSB etc in the whites and Cab or Shiraz (or dare I say Pinot) in the reds. And it would make a change from the usual South-East focus. Happy to do something else if someone has a better idea. Or no theme at all if you prefer, I just think it interesting to compare similar wines.

Your thoughts please!

Michael

I can't do 4th of April, but the 9th of May would work for me and I'd quite like to come along (as would a couple of friends of mine, I'm sure). The suggested theme sounds great - I'm a massive WA Cab/merlot blend fan. The only thing is that I couldn't contribute a terribly old wine as I only started a cellar a couple of years ago... Is that ok? I'll keep an eye on the thread!

Ciao,
Tim

Sounds good....
May be a small affair.

Graham

sorry would come along but in Canberra now.

Michael: I'll look into May 09 and let you know


ross

tim1210 wrote:The only thing is that I couldn't contribute a terribly old wine as I only started a cellar a couple of years ago... Is that ok?
Tim

Not a problem as far as I am concerned Tim - "From each according to their means; to each according to their needs!!"

Seriously though. My cellar isn't very old either. I rarely keep stuff more than 5 years (though I am starting to now with screwcaps) as a passive cellar in Brissy is a bity iffy longer term I reckon. For these events in the past I have checked out the older "cellar" releases at certain retailers with some luck. Anyway, it is nice to try a younger sibling or similar example to give a little perspective.

It looks like 9 May might be the go.

Sorry you can't make this one Brett, but let us know when you are next in town and we will try to organise something.

Size is not always important graham!

Hope you can make it Ross.

Cheers

Michael

Hello Michael,

Firstly, thankyou for organising a Brisbane Offline!. I have been meaning to come along for the past 12 months but have been either away or interstate. At this point in time all is looking good. Could you please add me to your list.

Cheers
Leigh

Hi all

Whats the latest date on this Brissy Gig
& whats the format?

Cheers

Mr & Mrs Ronaldo

G'day Michael,

Tentative yes for 3 or 4 of us for the 9th May, but at least 2. I look forward to it.

Ciao,
Tim

Welcome Leigh and Mr & Mrs Ronaldo . Hope you can make it.

Mr Ronaldo (are you a gap-toothed Brazillian footballer?). The date appears to have set at 9 May. I have not had any suggestions about theme so I presume most are happy with a Western Australia theme (I like to take silence as tacit agreement!). I have not had any suggestions about a different venue so it looks like it will be Giardinetto in the Valley (set menus avoid the bill-splitting dilemma and the $36ish menu including corkage is quite okay). But bring a decent glass.

Format: Usually one bottle per drinking attendee (actually a lot of people ignore this and bring two bottles or three between two). Usually bring a backup if you are bringing something old that might have carked it. We generally start with bubbles and whites, move on to reds and dessert wines but we don't generally open the bottles one at a time. It's not regimented in any way if that's what you are asking.

It's mainly a good way to have a social meal in a relaxed atmosphere and try a whole pile of wines you might not otherwise have had the opportunity (or inclination ) to try. It's not a formal organised progressive tasting in any sense (or at least the ones I have been to haven't been). Most people go home happy.

Cheers

Michael

* bump *

Just a reminder to Brisbane forumites that there is an offline on 9 May. Theme - "Wines from WA".

Will check my calendar Michael. Will there be a cut off date?

cheers

jeremy

jeremy wrote:Will check my calendar Michael. Will there be a cut off date?

cheers

jeremy

G'day Jeremy
Hope you can make it. I'll call the restaurant a couple of weeks out, give them tentative numbers and ask them for a cutoff date.
Cheers
Michael

Thanks Michael. I'll try and book it in and post back here as soon as I can. Should know in the next week. Hope to get there.

Cheers
jeremy

Arghh! Sorry Michael, but a friend from the US is dropping in for a week around the date of Brisbane Offline. Raincheck. Hope it is a fun night and I'll try to get to the next one.

cheers

Michael:
Have realised that May09 is the day/night before mother's day so still not sure...with multiple mothers events for me and my family it will no doubt clash i'm sure but i'll let you know closer to cut off

ross

Hi All

I have booked a table for 10 at this stage, but will need to confirm numbers a week out. So....who is coming?

The more the merrier obviously!

Michael

For three ( wife, myself and child if we cannot get a sitter.)
Booking for 7:00

Wine:

2001 Merum Shiraz

2002 Cullen Patricia Shiraz


Graham

damn ill be in Brisbane next weekend and Mid-June. Oh well. Next time.

graham wrote:2002 Cullen Patricia Shiraz
Graham

????????

oooppps

Brown Brothers

I had a call from Giardinetto as they are nearly full and have another request for a group booking. Given it is only two weeks away and Graham is the only person to have definitely confirmed they are coming (with Tim the only other probable interest), I have let the booking go. I'll try again later in May and see what sort of response I get. Hopefully some of the others who were double booked will be able to get along.

If anyone wants to suggest a date that is fine by me!

Cheers

Michael

Can I suggest the 6th of June?

I'd be very keen, haven't done an offline yet.

Cheers

Nick

redstuff wrote:damn ill be in Brisbane next weekend and Mid-June. Oh well. Next time.

Can we try around mid june? (I can get to the 9th at this stage!)

Mid June is good as well.

i can only do 11-13th June.

Cheers

June works well for me - you can still count me in, although I can't do mid-week as I'm living in Toowoomba this year.

Likely to be great weather for a nice WA cab blend....

Brisbane seems to be a difficult place to organise an offline. I tried to organise one when Allan (Waiters Friend) and Sue were there at the same time as I was. We three out-of-towners had a very convivial evening at Brents. Sadly, none of the locals who expressed interest were able to be there.

Brisbane is a wierd place when it comes to wine Daz, in every sense! Must be frustrating though. My apologies to Michael for having to pull out of the last one. Will do my level best to get to the next one if it happens.

Daryl Douglas wrote:Brisbane seems to be a difficult place to organise an offline. I tried to organise one when Allan (Waiters Friend) and Sue were there at the same time as I was. We three out-of-towners had a very convivial evening at Brents. Sadly, none of the locals who expressed interest were able to be there.

I think a lot of people travel from Brisbane to work elsewhere on a regular basis - I am in Perth this week. Lot's of people in the mining industry?