Brisbane tasting club

beef · Post by **beef** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 3:56 pm

'Afternoon all,

Having come this far in my exploration of the wine world, I'm incredibly grateful for the guidance that I've received from this forum, and for the fine wines that I've been able to consume. At this point, however, I've become frustrated with the number of (reportedly fine) wines that are available on the market, and how few of them my budget allows me to taste.

I'm therefore planning to set up a tasting group in Brisbane, to allow myself and others access to far more wines than our individual circumstances would otherwise allow.

I'm thinking of a monthly event (at least to start), held each time at an appropriately excellent BYO restaurant. The nights would sometimes be themed, sometimes not, and would involve each person bringing along a wine that they perceive to be of high quality, or one of considerable interest (e.g. foriegn wines, highly anticipated new releases, etc.).

"The Brisbane Wine Club" would, I think, be a sufficiently (and no doubt falsely) dignified name.

graham has expressed interest in such an endeavour, and I'm wondering: is anyone else interested? Come one, come all!

Stuart

Andrew Jordan · Post by **Andrew Jordan** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 4:05 pm

Stuart,

Although I do not currently reside in Brisbane, I am in town most weeks for business. So if I am around the area on the day/night of a tasting, would definitely be interested in joining the group.

beef · Post by **beef** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 5:16 pm

Andrew Jordan wrote:Stuart,

Although I do not currently reside in Brisbane, I am in town most weeks for business. So if I am around the area on the day/night of a tasting, would definitely be interested in joining the group.

Very pleased to hear it Andrew! Are you able to nominate days of the week or month on which you're most likely to be in town?

Stuart

Gavin Trott · Post by **Gavin Trott** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 5:35 pm

beef wrote:
Andrew Jordan wrote:Stuart,

Although I do not currently reside in Brisbane, I am in town most weeks for business. So if I am around the area on the day/night of a tasting, would definitely be interested in joining the group.

Very pleased to hear it Andrew! Are you able to nominate days of the week or month on which you're most likely to be in town?

Stuart

Send the plane tickets

I'm so there!!!!

peterk · Post by **peterk** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 7:29 pm

Sounds good Stuart
Keep us informed
Peterk

Andrew Jordan · Post by **Andrew Jordan** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 8:12 pm

beef wrote:Very pleased to hear it Andrew! Are you able to nominate days of the week or month on which you're most likely to be in town?

Stuart

Stuart,

If you give me at least 2-3 weeks notice of a planned event, I can probably plan my trip around that date. Unfortunately my schedule is very fluid, so giving dates a month in advance is near impossible. But if you plan for Monday, Thursday, or Friday nights I will more than likely be able to attend as long as you give me enough time to plan accordingly.

redstuff · Post by **redstuff** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 9:03 pm

Sounds good....there are plenty of awesome restaurants around to do this.

Elvispga · Post by **Elvispga** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:36 pm

I've just moved back to Brissie with my Fiancee and were discussing this very idea at Cru bar this evening.

Very keen.

Cheers
Elvis

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 4:32 pm

I'm in for an occasional drink of wine in this fair city

Cheers, Mark

Wizz · Post by **Wizz** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 7:06 pm

Elvispga wrote:I've just moved back to Brissie with my Fiancee and were discussing this very idea at Cru bar this evening.

Very keen.

Cheers
Elvis

I drove past Cru last night at 10.30 it as still packed to the gills!

I might be an occasional starter,

Andrew

jacques · Post by **jacques** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 4:37 pm

It is an excellent idea and I would love to join it, unfortunately, only got around a week in Brisbane every month. The rest of the time will be in Hong Kong or mainland China.

JamieBahrain · Post by **JamieBahrain** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:20 am

Ensure the "Brisbane Wine Club" climate controlled.

Jacques

In for a China offline? The World According To Suzy Wong is my Beijing local.

Brett · Post by **Brett** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:02 pm

I would definitely be in, Brisbane would be much better for it

parb · Post by **parb** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 2:00 pm

I'd be keen to get along to something like that. Monthly sounds good.

Cheers,
Parb

beef · Post by **beef** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 2:10 pm

OK, it's on.

I propose that the inaugural piss-up of The Brisbane Wine Club will occur on Friday, February 17, and will be held at Timmy's in South Brisbane (http://www.timmys.com.au). And on the third Friday of every month thereafter.

I would have provided everyone with more notice, but I went and got myself married on the weekend, and am planning to take my honeymoon in the week following the above date.

I suggest the following structure (depending on numbers) as a standard. It will change for evenings that are themed or underpopulated:

- 1 bottle per person.
- 1-2 people bringing bubbles to start.
- Some people bring whites, some bring reds. My preference, however, is to focus on reds.
- 1 person brings a dessert wine.

I'll inform the restaurant ahead of time that we'll need to occupy our tables for a good portion of the evening, with large gaps between courses.

At our first dinner, the wines will be served in the open, with people taking notes if they wish. Subsequent dinners will involve serving the wines blind, with wines being ranked on themed evenings.

And that's about it. Everyone should feel free to comment on the format or the venue. Can anyone with tasting group experience make any further suggestions?

So who's in?

Stuart

Brett · Post by **Brett** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 3:43 pm

Stuart, I am happy to bring any of the above

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 5:00 pm

Apologies, can't make the inaugural session of the BTC :cry:

chillwrx · Post by **chillwrx** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 6:03 pm

parb wrote:I'd be keen to get along to something like that. Monthly sounds good.

Cheers,
Parb

Me too. Date may be an issue at this stage but I may be able to get around that.

Craig

Elvispga · Post by **Elvispga** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 6:05 pm

Arghhh. We're going to Sydney on the 17th to get married. We'll be gone for a week but are keen to come to the next one.

Cheers
Elvis

Andrew Jordan · Post by **Andrew Jordan** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 7:43 pm

beef wrote:I propose that the inaugural piss-up of The Brisbane Wine Club will occur on Friday, February 17, and will be held at Timmy's in South Brisbane (http://www.timmys.com.au). And on the third Friday of every month thereafter.

Sorry Stuart ... but I also cannot make the inaugural meeting of the BWC as my trip to Brisbane for that week is already booked for the Monday and Tuesday. However, if all future monthly meetings are the 3rd Friday of the month I will plan all my future travel around this.

Hope it goes well and make sure you give us a full report!

Michael McNally · Post by **Michael McNally** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 4:05 pm

Beef

Sounds good. I would like to be involved.

I haven't much experience of tasting clubs per se, but would suggest we discuss what we are bringing, in terms of price range (so no one is embarrassed, annoyed) and perhaps suggest some kind of theme.

I would think it might be more instructive to taste similar wines - say a region or varietal. But I may be competely wrong too!! :shock:

Hope to see everyone on the 17th.

Michael

chillwrx · Post by **chillwrx** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 4:10 pm

Kilgore Trout wrote:Beef

Sounds good. I would like to be involved.

I haven't much experience of tasting clubs per se, but would suggest we discuss what we are bringing, in terms of price range (so no one is embarrassed, annoyed) and perhaps suggest some kind of theme.

I would think it might be more instructive to taste similar wines - say a region or varietal. But I may be competely wrong too!!

Hope to see everyone on the 17th.

Michael

I will be OK for the 17th and second these comments. As a McLaren Vale freak I can supply these types of wines with ease but if we are intending to theme I will need to know (and prepare).

peterk · Post by **peterk** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 7:24 pm

Sturat

It sounds fine,if you are organizing it let me know what you would like me to bring.
Cheers
Peterk

parb · Post by **parb** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 9:35 am

I've been pipped at the post. My Partner is out that night. Looks like its me and the kids and a bottle of red. Hopefully I can get to the next one.

Cheers,
Parb

graham · Post by **graham** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 1:59 pm

Yep....sounds good for me and the Missus. :lol:

I'm a red boy....big shirazs. :evil:

Guidelines :?:

Price

Age

Graham

beef · Post by **beef** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 2:16 pm

It's wonderful that so many can make it to the first BWC meeting.

I have the following people marked to attend:

Brett
Kilgore Trout
chillwrx
peterk
graham and partner
myself

Anyone else bringing partners? Or will Mrs Graham be the only female in attendance?

The club's shaping up to be a good size. I'll try and keep the number of attendants to <= 10 in the future, so everyone gets a decent sample from every bottle brought.

I think we'll have one person bring bubbles, one person bring a dessert wine (pref >= 500mL), and to theme the evening, everyone else bring McLaren Vale Shiraz. One bottle per person. Everyone should also bring a backup.

I'll bring the bubbles.

Bottles should have an rrp (present-day equivalent) >= $30. Bottles can be of any age.

Timmy's have a set menu (three courses) for $50. Details: http://www.timmys.com.au/files/set_menu_three.doc. Is everyone happy with this?

Any comments? I'd like to get things finalised tomorrow, so I can book the restaurant.

Stuart

beef · Post by **beef** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 2:48 pm

Oh, I forgot: let everyone know what you're bringing (primary and backup), in order to avoid conflicts, and to ensure complimentary offerings.

I'll look to start the club in fine style, bringing a 1987 Seppelts Show Sparkling Shiraz. Secondary market (and potentially not good), however

Backup will be a Turkey Flat NV Sparkling Shiraz.

Stuart

Brett · Post by **Brett** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 3:03 pm

Stuart

I must concede I am more a barossa man, but hey lets go with Mclaren Value shiraz. I am happy to provide a 2001 Kays Block 6 and will bring 1998 Reynell Shiraz as a back up

I will also bring a 83 Reynell VP for after dinner.

Wife is a question mark but will know by the end of the week.

Brett

Brett · Post by **Brett** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 3:05 pm

Stuart

Presume you had a look at the menu, Mclaren Vale shiraz could go a treat, or not with a few of the offerings on the menu

Brett

beef · Post by **beef** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 3:07 pm

Sounds wonderful Brett. And since you've been the second person (after chillwrx's McLaren Vale comment) to voice an opinion on the subject, I promise that the second dinner will carry some sort of Barossa theme.

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