Melbourne Offline - 3Bs: Barbaresco, Barolo & Brunello - 19/02/2016

[Diddy]

Hi all! Just over a week to go - really pumped for this offline.

As it currently stands, I have the following pencilled in (including tentative):-

Diddy
Blesso
conformistpete
alexc92
alexc92 Guest
mjs
Chris H
Ozzie W
Ozzie W Guest
grapeobserver

Can everyone let me know by the weekend if you're still keen so I can finalise with numbers/menu with the restaurant?

FYI, weather forecast for 19/02 is currently sitting at a lovely 24 degrees!

[Diddy]

Should have mentioned, I'll likely bring a Brunello of some description.

[Ozzie W]

Still coming with my +1. Such a great theme and perfect venue for it... I can't wait.

Haven't decided what I'm bringing yet, but I've got something from each of the 3B's in my cellar. Are we disclosing the region to ensure a good spread of wines?

[Chris H]

Are we masking wines ? I usually do as it helps the learning process but not overly fussed one way or the other. Ozzie makes the point that disclosing gives a better spread, so good either way.

[Chris H]

Any chance of starting earlier than 7.30pm ?

[Ozzie W]

I'd prefer earlier too if it works for everyone else. Gotta work the next day.

[Diddy]

Sure will see what I can do. 7pm or 6:30pm?

[Ozzie W]

6:30pm is good for me, but what the group wants should override my preference.

What's the consensus on blind tasting versus disclosing which 'B' we're each bringing?

[Chris H]

Yep, earlier the better for me. I am catching two trams back home which takes about an hour and a half.

[mjs]

7pm would be better for me, but I could cope with 6:30pm if necessary.

[Chris H]

No replies to masking or declaring, so cogitating on it I think declaring which B you are bringing might be best. Can still mask and ask questions if we want to for fun and education (I will).

Our wine group did this masked last year and independently almost everyone decided on Brunello which was a bit dissapointing.

[Ozzie W]

I'll bring a Barolo and a Barbaresco, one as my main attraction and the other as a backup. I won't say which is which so everyone can try and pick it blind on the night.

[Diddy]

Hi, I'm happy to go masked - was thinking of bringing something different in any event.

I'm sure we'll be able to organise a reasonable order on the night without giving too much away.

[Chris H]

"I'm happy to go masked"

What about your wine though ?

[alexc92]

Hi Folks. Finish work at 7 on Friday, Happy for you to start without me though. As for wine, ill be bringing a wine beginning with B.

[mjs]

And ending with "o"

[catchnrelease]

Hi Folks. Finish work at 7 on Friday, Happy for you to start without me though. As for wine, ill be bringing a wine beginning with B.

Brown Brothers?

[Chris H]

7pm start then ?

[Diddy]

Yep - that's what I'm thinking.

At this stage, need confirmation from:-

Blesso (out)
conformistpete (in)
alexc92 Guest
grapeobserver (in)

[conformistpete]

In.

Region .y wine is from has a B and R in the name.

[JamieBahrain]

The Blood of Jove versus the Wine of Kings & Queens. Not always ideal for Barolo perhaps lesser so for Barbaresco . Look forward to notes and impressions .

[conformistpete]

Double post

[conformistpete]

I think Alex pretty much confirmed he was in with saying he finished work at 7 and we could start

Not sure about his plus 1

[Ozzie W]

Region .y wine is from has a B and R in the name.

Barossa? Bordeaux? Burgundy? Canberra?

'T'is gonna be a fun night!

[alexc92]

Yep just me at this point! See you all Friday.

[Diddy]

Excellent - everyone is now confirmed!

Ends up being 8 of us:-

Diddy
conformistpete
alexc92
mjs
Chris H
Ozzie W
Ozzie W Guest
grapeobserver

[Diddy]

Restaurant is confirmed and now booked in for 7:00pm start.

[Ozzie W]

Excellent - everyone is now confirmed!

Ends up being 8 of us:-

Diddy
conformistpete
alexc92
mjs
Chris H
Ozzie W
Ozzie W Guest
grapeobserver

Blesso not coming?

[Chris H]

Yep. Diddy said that a few posts above.

[Diddy]

Blesso not coming?

Yeah, he's about to head off overseas on a wine trip to Italy and France ( ) so had to sit this one out.