Melbourne offline

[Waiters Friend]

G'day

Some of you may recall the board converstion, following a fabulous offline last year viewtopic.php?f=1&t=12675&p=101309&hilit=melbourne+offline&sid=caeaec696b0f0ea23d9464d75736c605#p101309. A sensational night, with eloquent company, and fabulous wines that I can still taste.

I will be in Melbourne again soon, and I am proposing another offline - this time at a restaurant, as Softie's place is no longer plausible. Softie and Sparky are likely to be available and I am looking at Wed 8th or Thur 9th May. The challenge for the last offline was Vic vs WA Cabernet and Chardonnay. How about this time we make it Shiraz and Chardonnay?

Please post some thoughts on where we should dine, and whether you agree with the Shiraz & Chardonnay challenge.

Cheers

Allan

[cuttlefish]

I'd like to come, at the very least. I'll have to put my thinking cap on as to a restaurant suggestion...

[via collins]

Hi Allan,

I'd be in for sure.

One excellent BYO option is Moreton's Brasserie in Carlton. French food, lovely hosts.

I'll see what else I can dig up. Would be great to see you again.

Cheers

Via Collins.

[mjs]

I am interested, been a while since I have been to an off-line in Melb.

Moretons is good, went there just before Xmas.

How about SA cab vs WA

[Waiters Friend]

Given two endorsements for Moreton's, lets give it a go. I'm sure I can get there from wherever it is I am conferencing.

Wednesday night? It's best for me. I hope you can join us. Now to look at the WA entries for 'the challenge'.

Shiraz and Chardonnay. My desert island wines? Bring it on, Victoria.

Cheers

Allan

[via collins]

Good stuff Allan, I've found some nice choices for the challenge.
To any lurkers who might like to come along, don't be shy, these nights are always enjoyable, as Allan says, good people, often some lovely wines, and pleasant surprises.
Plenty of lead-up time to get a final number to the restaurant, but if interested, please shout out any time.
Cheers,
Via Collins.

[sparky]

I reckon I can probably rustle up something interestingly Victorian and shouldn't be a problem organising around the date that far out.

Save me a seat..

[Waiters Friend]

Just putting this back on the radar.

It will be delightful to catch up again with those I have met before, and to meet new faces as well. It's certainly not a closed club.

We seem to have agreed on Moreton's Brasserie in Carlton, based on viacollins' suggestion. I'll trust his judgement there, especially if he is making the booking for Wednesday May 8. Is a 7pm start reasonable?

We also seem to have settled on a WA vs Vic Shiraz and Chardonnay challenge. I feel outnumbered already Does Moreton's provide a decanter or two? I would be looking to double decant one or two older WA Shiraz I intend to bring - and no, not a Margaret River wine amongst them

I'm looking forward to this. The last one was memorable.

Cheers

Allan

[tpang]

Room for one more to this party?

Moreton's is right around the corner from work for me, I'd be there in a jiffy!

[mjs]

Pretty sure I'm up for this, but it might have to be an SA Shiraz from me (no, not Barossa)

[Cloth Ears]

Ahh crap! Me and Mrs CE will be in Cambodia on the night. One of these days we'll get to an offline...

[via collins]

Hi all,

Sorry to be a little slow in reply, been travelling for past 12 days.

Allan, I'll make a booking for 6 on the 8th for 7pm - anyone struggle to make 7pm? I'll check on decanters and stemware,

Guest list at present:

Waiter's Friend
Softie
Sparky
Tpang
Via Collins
Cuttlefish
MJS to confirm

Sorry you can't make it Cloth Ears, anyone else want to come along? All welcome, happy to increase the booking.

[Softie]

Softie + 1 folks.



John

[mjs]

Confirmed

[Waiters Friend]

Thank you very much indeed, viacollins, for looking after the booking, and it will be an absolute pleasure to catch up again. And to hear about your travels.

We have at least 8 so far. For other people watching this thread, and who will be in Melbourne that night, please don't be shy. I can guarantee interesting wines, and eloquent company, and viacollins can stake his reputation on the food

Cheers

Allan

[Softie]

I'm happy to coordinate wines so we get both balance and surprise. Ive got reasonable WA Sh and Char to balance out if need be.
Suggest you PM me with preferred choices from your resources.
John

[via collins]

Okay, we are booked in.

Table for 8, on May 8th, at 7.00pm.

As Allan says, these evenings are top shelf for food, wine and company - all forumites, no matter what their stripe, totally welcome. I'd love to increase table size, so if you reckon you might like to dip a toe in, flag it here anytime.

No problems re: decanters Allan, "we get lots of wine groups" said the manager. I mentioned our wine focus, and she said not a problem for the menu, which is relatively standard French bistro fare I reckon. Web-site here if anyone's curious:

http://www.moretons.com/

Cheers,

[mjs]

Mate of mine grb2001 is keen to come as well

[Waiters Friend]

And the more, the merrier. I was in the cellar tonight, debating what to extract for the trip over. I've got a few WA classics in the Shiraz department, at 12-14 years of age. But what if they're past it? Or even corked? A young + an old one? Chardonnay? Not a problem. WA excels in this area.

Thanks to via collins for making the arrangements - I really appreciate it. And I'm looking forward to what will be the highlight of my business trip to Melbourne.

Cheers

Allan

[Softie]

Allan,

Don't U cart spares from WA!

I've got multiple bottles of young-but-not-ridiculously-so (2007, 2008) top notch Great Southern Shiraz from two producers. (Both under Stelvin.) They will be our reserves.

Cuttlefish and Sparky are also likely to have WA Shiraz. And these nights inevitably have an over abundance of great vino. (And cause headaches the next morning.)

John

[cuttlefish]

What's the theme here ? I saw Cabernets mentioned, but there's also some talk of other grape varieties ??
Are we sticking to Shiraz and Chardonnay ?

[sparky]

Allan,

Cuttlefish and Sparky are also likely to have WA Shiraz.

John

Wrong!! But I do have a few nicely matured Vic Shiraz which I hope will smash those WA interlopers out of the water...

John, I'll PM with some offerings. Moira

[via collins]

Theme is: shiraz and Chardonnay - Victoria versus WA

Caged bout, last state standing is winner.

[Waiters Friend]

Theme is: shiraz and Chardonnay - Victoria versus WA

Caged bout, last state standing is winner.

And I presume I will be severely outnumbered! Regardless, it will be fun.

[via collins]

C'mon Allan, I think that Softie will have your back, and I am happy to switch allegiances to keep numbers balanced.

Let's total up numbers a few days before and see what we've got to look at?

[cuttlefish]

I'll have a +1 for this

[sparky]

****WARNING: Blatant name dropping alert!!****

Damn it!! I can't make it as I'll be hanging out in Shanghai with Mr Gago. I was looking forward to that Vic/WA challenge as well!

Allan, can you organise another work trip again in the not too distant future??

[via collins]

Or we simply shift the event to China?

You're excused Moira, with an excuse that won't be bettered this year I reckon.

Enjoy!

[cuttlefish]

OK, one week out and I'd like to hear we're still on track for this. Is my +1 officially in ?

What if any is the format ? Shall we all reveal what we're bringing to make sure we have a reasonable balance of whites and reds ?? Or do we want to do some blind tasting ?

[Softie]

Tom
I offered to b a coordinator. I'd check and balance from my cellar.

John