Melbourne offline Thursday September 11 2014

[conformistpete]

Looking forward to this, geriatric wines and people welcome. Are we going down the blind path? If so, we should give the restaurant a heads up to prepare an appropriate menu.

With all the talk this week by wine writers about not enough standard Aussie wine on restaurant wine lists, this evening could be a good straw poll of what punters like to drink or see on a list!

[Waiters Friend]

Looking forward to this, geriatric wines and people welcome. Are we going down the blind path? If so, we should give the restaurant a heads up to prepare an appropriate menu.

With all the talk this week by wine writers about not enough standard Aussie wine on restaurant wine lists, this evening could be a good straw poll of what punters like to drink or see on a list!

It will be difficult to serve 'blind' if we don't know what people are bringing. Also, even more difficult for the restaurant to plan. Maybe better if those of us attending check out www.moretons.com and make sure the wine approximately suits the menu, rather than the other way around. I'm sure there will be a few left-fields regardless, and that's half the fun.

Cheers
Allan

[sparky]

Regretfully, I'll probably be a no show for this one as I've got a half ironman in QLD that weekend and I'm out at some ungodly hour on the Friday morning.

To make it worse, I usually spend a pre-race week alcohol free - it feeds the fires of rage on race day:-)

[via collins]

That's a drag Moira, another veteran not available.

Still, you left us with a vision of a half iron man, and that's something to be appreciated.

Train well, we shall be thinking of you as we pull the socks off the mysteries!

[Waiters Friend]

Regretfully, I'll probably be a no show for this one as I've got a half ironman in QLD that weekend and I'm out at some ungodly hour on the Friday morning.

To make it worse, I usually spend a pre-race week alcohol free - it feeds the fires of rage on race day:-)

A shame, Moira. I was saving a Capel Vale Scholar for you (after the one you enjoyed a couple of years ago) but it can wait until next time (I have several). It would have been delightful to catch up again.

If you're going to such sacrifice, then I expect to see your triumphant victory all over the TV news the following day Good luck Moira.

Cheers
Allan

[mjs]

I'd like to change my "might be a starter" to a definite starter on the 11th

[Diddy]

One week to go - how are we looking for numbers?

[Waiters Friend]

Well, I'm in, for a start Plane tickets and accommodation all sorted.

[Ozzie W]

Still in +1.

[via collins]

I shall also be there with bells on. Mainly cause the restaurant has my phone number .
Anyone else care to confirm, or otherwise?
Remember, all welcome - most of the group are new, so there's never been a better time to dip your toe.
And Allan is a lovely feller, and a rare visitor.
Salut.

[Diddy]

I'm in and pretty sure Blesso is as well.

[conformistpete]

I am still in. Went to the cellar and had a dig around and managed to utilise my tetris skills and find myself some more space. Oh and found some wine to bring.

[Blesso]

What's everyone bringing??

[Ozzie W]

What's everyone bringing??

1991 Best's Pinot Meunier
1994 Best's Cab Sav

Hopefully the cork gods will be on our side.

[conformistpete]

2008 Cape Naturalist Cabernet Sauvignon
and something I have yet to pick... either another red or a sweetie.

[alexc92]

Hey guys, sorry for the late reply, been quite busy lately! Finish work at 7 so might be a tad late.
Will be bringing a 94 bannockburn shiraz and maybe something else!

[conformistpete]

Looks like I'm bringing wine from the wrong decade!

[Waiters Friend]

Looking good so far ......

I just wandered out to the cellar and took a look. Ironically, some of the first wines to hand were older Victorians - Yeringberg red and white with a few years each. But I should be patriotic and bring WA ....

So, a Capel Vale Whispering Hill Riesling 2008 (Mt Barker), and a Voyager Estate CM 2001 (Margaret River). I may also slip in a Swan Valley surprise.

A quick perusal of the suggestions to date would indicate most people are bringing more than one wine. Possibly not a good idea if we want to function the following day Of course, I'm allowed to bring more than one because I am representing WA, but I'd recommend that not everyone does this!

See you all Thursday!

Allan

[Ozzie W]

I'm bringing 2 bottles, one for me and one for my +1.

[mjs]

Something else has come up, so I can't make it now. The rest of you enjoy the evening. Look forward to the report

[grapeobserver]

I am afraid too that I unfortunately can't now make it I shall console myself though with reading your reports

[Waiters Friend]

Sorry to hear that some of you cannot make it.

Is it worth working out final numbers, or just see who turns up tomorrow? I'm in Melbourne, now, so, barring major incident, I'll be there for 7.30pm.

Just as a matter of interest, I have lost my voice. It's going to make tomorrow's business meeting rather interesting (hopefully lots of nodding sagely ) but may restrict my conversational flow somewhat tomorrow night. It won't stop my appreciation of the wines, food and company, however!

Cheers
Allan

[Diddy]

Blesso and I are still in!

[Ozzie W]

If I've tallied up all the confirmations correctly, the numbers are as per the original booking.

- Waiters Friend
- conformistpete
- Ozzie W + 1
- via collins
- Diddy
- Blesso
- alexc92

8 people all up.

[Waiters Friend]

Sounds fine. We were originally going for 8 people, and that's how many we had at Moretons last time. It's likely we will get the same table!

Cheers
Allan

[via collins]

Excellent news - sorry I have been way too busy to stop in, but will be there tonight.

I'm a big fan of blind, so I shall bring a bottle in a paper bag - and high hopes that it will taste good Seems like we are very red wine heavy, happily, we are in the final days of red weather by the looks of it. Aside from looking forward to catching up with everyone and enjoying some nice wines, I am just as happy to be eating the food at Moretons again.

See you all there.

[conformistpete]

Great night, thanks!

[Ozzie W]

A huge thanks to Waiters Friend for initiating this offline and to via Collins for making the booking. The food was great. The wine was even greater and the cork gods were on our side - not a single dud wine. The company was fantastic and a great night was had by all. I'll post some photos and more details later.

[Ozzie W]

I took some photos last night of the wines we shared. Thanks to everyone for the thought and effort that went into selecting each wine. I was very impressed with the line-up we had.

Cape Vale Whispering Hill Riesling


Best's Pinot Meunier 1991


Wendouree Cabernet Malbec 2012


Xanadu Stevens Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2011


Cape Naturalist Torpedo Rocks Cabernet Sauvignon 2008


Chalmers Aglianico 2005


Voyager Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2001


Rosemount Balmoral Syrah 1996


Bannockburn Shiraz 1994


Best's Cabernet 1994


Faber Liqueur Muscat NV


The complete line-up

[alexc92]

Great food, great wine and great company..thanks for everyones genorosity...
Look forward to the next one!