Sydney offline Thursday March 20

[Waiters Friend]

G'day

I will most likely be in Sydney for business around this time, and I am wondering if there is any interest in meeting up for an offline on Thursday March 20.

I've done this a few times before; i.e. advertise an offline in a city I don't live in, and likely to be attended by people I don't know, except on this forum. Previous results have been so successful, that I am posting again.

Usually, I like to go for a theme for these; a 'WA vs whatever state I am in'. In SA, it was riesling and shiraz, while in Vic it has been chardonnay and cabernet, and chardonnay and shiraz. Generally playing to the strengths of both states for comparison.

What would it be for a WA / NSW challenge? I'm a fan of Hunter semillon, but WA cannot compete here.

Are you available, and interested? If so, I'd like to hear your suggestions on themes, and (this is where local knowledge comes in) a bloody good BYO with good glassware and service, that is prepared to host a bunch of wine tragics. Apparently, I am staying somewher in the CBD, so maybe that is a starting point on the map.

I love Sydney, and I haven't been there for 2 years now. I am looking forward to returning. If we can make an offline out of it, then so much the better.

Cheers

Allan

[TiggerK]

Sounds good count me in!

WA vs The World...

[Hacker]

Count me in too, hope the date is ok, I am up the coast at present, will confirm early next week. WA vs. the rest of Australia is a fair matchup I recon. I don't think NSW alone will cut it I'm afraid, not from my cellar anyway.

[Polymer]

I'm up to go..20th sounds good.

[griff]

Shows the lack of parochialism with New South Welsh wine drinkers! Just thinking about it and NSW can give WA a bit of a run. Whites from Tumby and Hunter and reds from Hunter and Murumbateman in particular. It is really Cabernet that is letting us down. Just Lake's Folly that can match up I think. As for whether I can make it it is a little far away yet to confirm but will try.

[Hacker]

Griff, I'm sure you are right, there are many NSW wines which can match the WA challenge.

Sorry though, my wife reminds me we are busy that night. Apologies Allan.

Cheers,
David.

[Michael R]

Sounds great Allan.
Look forward to meeting up!

[TiggerK]

Still three weeks away, but thought I'd give this thread a bump to see if it's still looking like getting up? Any further update Allan, or wait until closer to the date?

Happy with Fix as always, but has anyone got any other good CBD BYO options ??

[rooman]

I have had a long dry period whilst on a mad diet but its coming to an end, at least for now, so I would be interested. I recently had dinner at Maclay St Bistro in Potts Point which is BYO. It tends to get overlooked but the food was superb and its only 3 mins from the CBD. Its a nice change to Fix which I do enjoy.In terms of reds, I have really been enjoying some of the 2003 Marsh Estate shiraz which a friend of mine talked me into purchasing a while back. They are a great example of a medium bodied HV shiraz off 40 year old vines.

[cuttlefish]

Obviously I can't attend this as I'm in Melbourne, BUT, could I just say that I thought you dismissed WA semillon way too quickly. There are quite a few, and they're generally significantly different from Hunter semillon which could make for a very interesting comparison...

[burges]

Would've loved to join you guys, but unfortunately I'll be away then.

[Polymer]

Obviously I can't attend this as I'm in Melbourne, BUT, could I just say that I thought you dismissed WA semillon way too quickly. There are quite a few, and they're generally significantly different from Hunter semillon which could make for a very interesting comparison...

I dunno...do you have some suggestions for WA Semillon? I've tried quite a bit but most of it was a blend...and you have a good number (of better ones) that use oak..but even then I'm not sure I'd put them against good Hunter Sem.

[cuttlefish]

Fermoy Estate
Willespie
Moss Wood ??
Voyager ??

You could work on the regions strength in SSB/SBS and enjoy those alongside the Hunter straight Semillon, which is their strength. Why does it need to be straight varietal vs straight varietal ?

I don't see the point in judging them before they've been compared.

As a rough guide, you'd expect the oaked WA ones to be a fair bit weightier, but vive la difference !

[Waiters Friend]

G'day

I confirmed my plane tickets today, so will definitely be in Sydney for Thursday 20th March. I'm staying at the Mercure (no, not 5 star, but that's where the conference is) so anyhing near to there would be a bonus for me. Happy to go further afield if necessary.

I may have missed something along the way: did we end up with just a "WA and NSW anything" theme? Please let me know so I can raid the cellar accordingly.

In terms of restaurants / cuisine, I will be guided by local knowledge. I'm not big on seafood, but apart from that, I am fairly versatile (and it doesn't mean others cannot eat seafood).

I may have a +1 also (one of my conference attendees) but probably not. Regardless, can we:

a) identify a restaurant. It needs to be BYO, prefereably close to CBD, and have reasonable glassware and a tolerant attitude to wine tragics
b) 7pm start time?
c) agree on a theme (unless 'anything from your home state' is a theme)
d) start deciding on numbers for booking purposes.

Time to get excited? It's been a while since I have done this, and I look forward to walking into a room of Forumites that I have never met before.

Cheers

Allan

[Polymer]

Fermoy Estate
Willespie
Moss Wood ??
Voyager ??

You could work on the regions strength in SSB/SBS and enjoy those alongside the Hunter straight Semillon, which is their strength. Why does it need to be straight varietal vs straight varietal ?

I don't see the point in judging them before they've been compared.

As a rough guide, you'd expect the oaked WA ones to be a fair bit weightier, but vive la difference !

It doesn't need to be straight varietal...

I'm also not judging them before they're compared (I've tried quite a lot of WA SSB/SBS as well as Hunter Sem). I wasn't the one that mentioned not doing Sem, it was the guy from WA that said WA doesn't compare...I would agree with that opinion. That isn't to say there aren't any good Sem Blends in WA..there are...I just haven't seen them develop any of that same depth I see out of the Hunter. My general thoughts are you pay a lot more for a WA SSB/SBS that has good texture and mouthfeel when it is young (my guess is the oak adds a lot to the cost)...but they don't seem to develop longer term like a Hunter Sem...which for almost nothing you get something that is very meh when young but starts to really come along after 5-10+ years.

[Michael R]

How about we include wines that have been cellared for most of their lives in Nsw?...nationalised wine

[TiggerK]

I'm with Mick, while I'm happy with any theme, the best variety of interesting wine would be had by a free for all 'bring something you're keen to finally open or a favourite to show others'. Let's admit that (for casual offlines) themes often go by the wayside anyway, does a solid result ever eventuate, and do we mind either way?

Otherwise we'll end up with a Semillon/SSB flight and a Cabernet/Shiraz flight. Bring on the variety I say! Let's express ourselves through our wines.

[dave vino]

I'm with Mick, while I'm happy with any theme, the best variety of interesting wine would be had by a free for all 'bring something you're keen to finally open or a favourite to show others'. Let's admit that (for casual offlines) themes often go by the wayside anyway, does a solid result ever eventuate, and do we mind either way?

Otherwise we'll end up with a Semillon/SSB flight and a Cabernet/Shiraz flight. Bring on the variety I say! Let's express ourselves through our wines.

Translation: Tigger wants to bring some NZ SavBlanc.

I'll go tentative on this, as I think I have my School of Hard Knocks 25th Reunion the next night.

[TiggerK]

Translation: Tigger wants to bring some NZ SavBlanc.

He's kidding, I REALLY hope you all know that.

[Waiters Friend]

I'm happy to leave the style and variety wide open. Whatever people want to bring will be fine. If it has a story attached, then even better, but not essential.

I'm looking forward to it.

Cheers
Allan

[Polymer]

I'm ok with anything really...I'll bring a Hunter Shiraz..

[Red Smurf]

I'd be keen to come to this if there is room still?

[Michael R]

I'd be keen to come to this if there is room still?

Brilliant. I don't think we've even finalized a theme, let alone numbers...so saddle up mate!!
Some more venue options option.....Verde, v close to CBD, or Bistrode in the CBD.

I'd happily go to Macleay St Bistro too, been there many times and always a decent performer.

Edit...I'll probably bring a white burg btw.

[maybs]

Sounding like it's got good momentum and will be fun guys. I have a big day at work the next day and just wouldn't feel right coming. Have fun!

[Krusty]

I'll jump in on this, also happy with a venue change, do we consider Surry Hills given Waiters Friend indicates he will be staying at the Mercure at Central ?

[TiggerK]

McLeay St Bistro likely means a short taxi ride, but that's easy on a Thursday, they BYO happily, and reviews are very good. It's looking like my preference. Fix is always decent and easy to get to, but I'm craving a change of venue!

I'm totally easy with anywhere though! What to bring is the next question! I predict a great night.

Definite/possible attendees...

Waiters Friend
Polymer
TiggerK
Michael R
Red Smurf
Griff
Rooman
Dave Vino
Krusty
redvelvet

[Waiters Friend]

G'day

Apparently I am staying at the Mercure Sydney 818-820 George Street, Railway Square. Is this walking distance to the restaurants under discussion? As I don't know any of them, I am happy to go with consensus, and if it means a taxi trip, that's fine too.

Thanks to TiggerK for assembling the imbibers list. Should be good!

Cheers

Allan

[Hacker]

Sorry though, my wife reminds me we are busy that night. Apologies Allan.

Cheers,
David.

I wish I could come but have theatre tickets that night, sorry chaps. Have a great night!

[RedVelvet]

Is there room for one more?

[Michael R]

Nice one Shannon!
Think that makes 10 (inc you), which is a good number to cap attendees IMHO.

Note: I'm a small chance of not being able to attend. Should be ok, but will wait to confirm 100% until later next week.