August - Sydney Offline - Hunter Valley

[dave vino]

Is a restaurant going to take 18 odd people BYO is the next question I guess. Two tables of 9-10.

Greg, what are the costs like for Studio Neon?

[camw]

If it turns into 2 tables I'm out sorry - I'm fine either way it goes though.

[TiggerK]

I've got no issue with two tables, would rather be in a room full of people enjoying great Hunter wine instead of thinking of all those missing out. The two tables will each have their own wines of course (as rooman suggested), we run it as per the wine-pages dinners. If someone wants to give someone a sip of theirs, entirely up to them, if someone wants to PM someone to ask for a table swap, that's their perogative. First thing would be to decide on max numbers, obv dependent on venue.

Rocket comes to mind again, I believe their private area has room for a table of 10-12 and a table of 6-8. Worth considering and they woudl appreciate the business I'm sure. Studio Neon is just a 10 min walk from Redfern station, and the food can be very good in a funky space. If they would have us on that date though? My main criteria would be a venue that isn't too noisy, which is the main reason I'm thinking back to Rocket, although SN is pretty good too.

I could always suggest a second event for people not in the first twelve, but don't see much point when we could all do it together?

[Michael R]

Not sure if anyone follows the UK wine forum site .

Hi Mark
I like this forum too, very friendly place, but only occasionally check it. Griff(aka Carl) used to live in London and speaks really highly of the lunches and banter over there. Would love to attend a WIMPS one day.

[maybs]

I dunno Tim, second event sounds like a genius idea to me (the guy who can't make it!)

[rooman]

Not sure if anyone follows the UK wine forum site .

Hi Mark
I like this forum too, very friendly place, but only occasionally check it. Griff(aka Carl) used to live in London and speaks really highly of the lunches and banter over there. Would love to attend a WIMPS one day.

I used to spend a lot more time on the UK forum and really like some of the guys up there. They drink some amazing wines given its so much CHEAPER up there but haven't posted there for a while. I would however love to attend one of their WIMPS lunches, these appear seriously hardcore. I've seen the wine lists from each table and if everyone is a serious contributor I would be happy at any of their tables. Everyone seems to bring far more than they can drink and people move around between tables. As I said above the key to more than one table is to have everyone turn up with decent bottles. I would suggest making all wines pre 2005 and before given 2005 was an excellent vintage.

Mark

[Polymer]

There doesn't need to be an age limit unless that is the theme.....and I don't think we need to worry about what people show up with. That has never been a problem in the past and honestly, if someone shows up with something they think they want to share, that should be more than sufficient. There is always more than enough great stuff and I don't think we'd want to exclude people just because someone is making some sort of determination that a specific person's bottle isn't good enough.

Most of these things are very self policed...IMO, if anything you pressure yourself into bringing something you think other people will like or find interesting...I don't think anyone is trying to get away with bringing as junky a wine as possible...

I mean, if this became a real problem...eg. Someone consistently brought yellow tail...there would probably have to be some sort of guidelines put in place but I'd like to think that isn't necessary..

I don't doubt it could end up being a problem...obviously it sounds like the UK has had this issue..I know some offlines in California have had this problem as well....but until it becomes one, I think we want to leave these as easy to attend and as least intimidating as possible...

[deejay81]

There doesn't need to be an age limit unless that is the theme.....and I don't think we need to worry about what people show up with. That has never been a problem in the past and honestly, if someone shows up with something they think they want to share, that should be more than sufficient. There is always more than enough great stuff and I don't think we'd want to exclude people just because someone is making some sort of determination that a specific person's bottle isn't good enough.

Most of these things are very self policed...IMO, if anything you pressure yourself into bringing something you think other people will like or find interesting...I don't think anyone is trying to get away with bringing as junky a wine as possible...

I mean, if this became a real problem...eg. Someone consistently brought yellow tail...there would probably have to be some sort of guidelines put in place but I'd like to think that isn't necessary..

I don't doubt it could end up being a problem...obviously it sounds like the UK has had this issue..I know some offlines in California have had this problem as well....but until it becomes one, I think we want to leave these as easy to attend and as least intimidating as possible...

I second that!

Being a relatively new collector/wine appreciator, My selections are much more limited then that of others. Kevin is right, I do put pressure on myself to bring something that I would think is a decent drop and that could be interesting on the night, and if i brought something that wasn't good, then i'd be disappointed in myself. If I don't have that something to fit into the theme and I really wanted to attend, I'd probably look for something at auction instead of bringing something mediocre.

I don't really mind how this turns out, but more than anything I like the social aspect of it where I can talk about something to other people who are all interested in the same thing, and it's also a place where I can taste some wines that I would never have had the opportunity before. So even though you may miss out on some wines from another table, the more the merrier I say!

Every offline thread people are always commenting on the "generosity of the attendees" so I don't think we should really worry about what people bring until it becomes an issue. To me, i'm more worried about what I will bring!

[Red Smurf]

Is a restaurant going to take 18 odd people BYO is the next question I guess. Two tables of 9-10.

Greg, what are the costs like for Studio Neon?

Would be perfect for this but they are already booked for 28th.
They are usually about $90 x5 courses. Unlimited BYO.

[dingozegan]

Recognising my bias in this particular instance, there is something less attractive about dividing a large group between tables. But if it means more people can come, why not? The way the UK Wine Pages members do this tends to work in my experience, and some wines get shared across tables in such cases anyway (at least among certain groups from there).

I can't imagine wine choice being an issue either. I find people usually try and bring something they value or find interesting. Discovering what others find interesting is of interest to me, even if I don't find the wine interesting myself (note: big-weighted fruit-foward oaky Hunter Shiraz ). It doesn't matter whether the wine is widely regarded / entry level / less expensive or not ("lesser" wines can often end up being prefered to those of greater reputation anyway) - wine lovers who consider Yellow Tail interesting I find extremely rare.

[TiggerK]

It may be less attractive (only because you want all to share every bottle?), but as you say, way way more attractive than having people sitting at home wishing they too were gathered around a table sharing their tasty Hunter Valley wines with like minded enthusiasts. It's no different than being in a restaurant where there is another table near you also having a wine dinner, except it's better because they happen to be particularly friendly!

[dave vino]

OK, OK, it will just mean a bit more organising and what not balancing up the tables.

Restaurants?

Brio (not sure if they could fit us probably could) cheap, friendly and varied and frankly I could eat Zucchini chips every day of my life.
La Boheme (the space upstairs could be configured to fit us, not sure if people are ready for that again)
Rubyos (always a bit awkward with the food as it is really precise shared servings)
Sofritto (not sure if they could fit us, and a bit more expensive than the other options at the end of the day (closer to Rocket in price)

Any others people could recommend?

Have updated the Attendee Post, just did a straight split will chop and change when people advise what they are bringing, Cam are you still in? Let's keep it at 8-10 per table.

[catchnrelease]

*Magnums are encouraged*

Just saying what everyone's thinking.

[Croquet King]

I have a few magnums and even a double magnum of Lakes.
Unfortunately or fortunately they are all allocated to significant events so need to be kept in the cellar.

I had a vertical of Lakes from 1990 to 2000 but have been getting through them.

[rooman]

I have a 99 Lovedale Sem which is entering the honeysuckle phase. The 99 vat 1s however still aren't really budging. We should try for a few old sem if people have them. They are quite amazing once they do the whole ugly duckling changing thing.

[Bobthebuilder]

I have a 99 Lovedale Sem which is entering the honeysuckle phase. The 99 vat 1s however still aren't really budging. We should try for a few old sem if people have them. They are quite amazing once they do the whole ugly duckling changing thing.

I have a 92 vat1 I was thinking of bringing

[mjs]

*Magnums are encouraged*

Just saying what everyone's thinking.

I knew my suggestion a couple of months ago would have an effect on you Sydneyites!!!

[dave vino]

No magnums. Too hard, especially with a theme and some relative newcomers it's not fair on them.

At the moment I'm happy with broad indications of what you might be bringing Old Sem (90's) Young Sem (00's), Old Chardy, Young Chardy, Heavy/Light Red etc.

So I can start balancing the tables up.

[Polymer]

I have a 99 Lovedale Sem which is entering the honeysuckle phase. The 99 vat 1s however still aren't really budging. We should try for a few old sem if people have them. They are quite amazing once they do the whole ugly duckling changing thing.

Really? All of the 99 Vat 1s I've had were very very good but still had more than enough acidity to go longer....I've been fortunate enough not to have any dodgy cork ones but I haven't had any corks so perfect I thought the wine was still it its dumb phase...

Also, I think it should be people can bring magnums if they want....but it shouldn't be the theme...

[rooman]

I have a 99 Lovedale Sem which is entering the honeysuckle phase. The 99 vat 1s however still aren't really budging. We should try for a few old sem if people have them. They are quite amazing once they do the whole ugly duckling changing thing.

Really? All of the 99 Vat 1s I've had were very very good but still had more than enough acidity to go longer....I've been fortunate enough not to have any dodgy cork ones but I haven't had any corks so perfect I thought the wine was still it its dumb phase...

Also, I think it should be people can bring magnums if they want....but it shouldn't be the theme...

Its not a criticism, far from it. It just seems the Vat 1 '99 are evolving so slowly compared to a wine such as the Lovedale that has now rolled into its swan like phase with honeysuckle like flavours. I believe the Vat 1 is still a number of year away from entering its optimal drinking window.

[Polymer]

I didn't think it was a criticism at all...But I've seen a number of people say they've had some that were as you said....I've just not seen them myself....

Great wine either way...98/99 Vat 1s..fantastic..

[Winetragic]

Hi

I've only just come across this forum after picking up a reference on the July offline tasting on the RBG forum. It seems great and the offline dinners are exactly what I've been looking for in Sydney for what feels like a long time. If there are any spaces or opportunities to come along to the August offline tasting I am very keen, if not, happy to wait for my turn in the future. I'm an enthusiast of Hunter wines, particularly the aged Sems, and can definitely bring along an interesting aged bottle or two, if I get a spot it would be good if someone could give me some guidance as to what might suit so there is some balance at the table between young/old white and red. I have a few Vat 47s from across the 90s that are drinking like well aged burgundies which might be worth a look.

As an aside I was in the HV about 3-4 weeks ago, the weekend of the Tyrrells members release, and tried a few barrel samples of the 2014s. To me, the quality was astounding, the best I have come across, with the young disjointed samples still being stunning wines already. Also not wishing to advertise for anyone but if you are visiting the valley I must recommend making an appointment to drop into Chateau Pato and meet Nick. He is great company, has beautiful wines from his own family estate and also has an interesting experiment going on.

[swirler]

There doesn't need to be an age limit unless that is the theme.....

Legally speaking, it should be over 18

[Polymer]

Looks like there are spots open so you're more than welcome to come!

As far as what to bring...Bring whatever you think will be interesting.....don't worry about the white/red balance I'm sure there will be more than enough of either...First and foremost, bring something you think will be interesting and want to share with a bunch of like minded "winetragics".

Also, no one should feel pressure to bring anything more than 1 bottle. If you want to, I'm sure everyone will appreciate it..but no one should feel like they have to.

[Bobthebuilder]

welcome to the forums winetragic!
As polymer said, what you think will be interesting is the best advice.
your 90's vat 47's sound perfect

[Winetragic]

Thanks for the feedback, I'm excited, I hope I can manage something interesting and I believe wine is meant to be shared, particularly with like minded individuals........unless of course its really really really good, then you hide in the cellar

Swirler - I can confirm I'm over 18 by at least a whisker so all boxes ticked so far

[Red Smurf]

Davo,
Red Smurfet is keen if that's cool?

[Bobthebuilder]

dave,

Miss BTB is also keen if there's room

[dave vino]

Done and Done. And I think we'll cut it off there? That is 20 people.

[Polymer]

Cam said he was out..and I asked him about it on Friday as well...Maybe we can have him confirm...So 1 open spot assuming Cam is still out....

19-20..that's a lot...