Sydney Inner West Tasting Group

[bacchaebabe]

OK, so Softie has offered his place for the inaugural inner west group with anyone else willing to travel to the inner west being more than welcome too.

Softie lives in Redfern within a five minute walk of the station and there's quite a few buses that go by there too. There's also plenty of on street parking and taxis from the city are about $10 - 12.

I also don't mind offering my place for tastings and I'm in Newtown close to three train stations (Newtown, Macdonaldtown and Erskineville) and quite a few bus routes. There's quite a bit of on street parking between 5.30 and 6.30 but after 7pm it becomes almost diabolical. Taxis from the city are about $15.

Just so we can start again and keep it clean, who's interested. We can do the planning at the first meeting. Of course, we'll also need a date but maybe that's best suggested by Softie.

[Alex F]

I am coming.

As before, there is a breakout area next to my office at Sydney Uni with enough space. It has basic kitchen facilities, however after hour access is slightly tricky and the layout may be slightly uncomfortable. The upside is that it does have a very large space with enough seats.

I am free Mon-Thurs, I prefer Wed/Thurs for tastings (with the exception of next wednesday, and the last week of this month).

[bacchaebabe]

Nice one Alex. Maybe we can cycle it through these 3 venues with a BYO restaurant too so it's only 3 times a year for each place.

Those days suit me as well, with probably a preference for Thursdays too but I'm not that fussy.

[monghead]

Hmmm, I don't know of the politics of this all, but I would be certainly keen for the inner west meets. It's all about location, location, location isn't it...

Anyways, when, where (i guess softie's- thanx mate), and what?

Cheers,

Monghead.

[odyssey]

I have to admit that these locations are probably easier to get to after work than Mosman (I work in Surry Hills)! Thus my interest remains....

[bacchaebabe]

There's absolutely no politics involved at all. Just convenience of location. We can run in alternate fortnights so if people want to go to both they can, no worries.

[Softie]

Guys,

Yep, I confirm availability of our place. Will finally suggest dates tomorrow.

John

[cuttlefish]

We'll come if we can, dates, etc permitting.

Cf

[Softie]

Ha Kris,

Kerry and I are really flexible on dates - only a few dates out. U wanna be the chair about themes, settle on best consensus date?

Dates (post 20 Sep & up to 19 Oct) out for us for first tasting: Sep 23, 26; Oct 4-8.

Personally prefer a Fri or Sat, but happy to run with majority preference.

I would look forward to meeting all newcomers into our home and sharing our passion for wine and good company.

John

[Alex F]

How about the 9th of October?

This is a Friday.

We could either run with Hunter Shiraz/Semillon (Any vintage) as the opening theme, or decide a new one here.

[Benno]

I'm keen, October 9 is good for me (+1), as is Hunter Shiraz/Semillon.

[Softie]

Yep, 9 Oct is good, and we have heaps of Hunter Semillon.

John

[RedVelvet]

Late reply as just back from overseas. Work permiting i am certainly interested in attending the inner west tasting group. 9th October may be a little tricky for me as i may be OS again. I should be able to confirm this date in the next few days so will reply again here very soon.

[9redpens]

I'm In...... and +1. So one shiraz and one semm ????

[odyssey]

Myself and +1 will make it this time even if I have to go through hell and back to be there!!!

Even better, no problems digging through a multitude of Hunters from the cellar for this one!

[dave vino]

I should be OK if it's a Friday (can get a hotel room close by)

Although I can see about 10 bottles of Lovedale/Elizabeth and Maurice O'Shea/OP&OH making an appearance so maybe if people can list what they are bringing? or is it meant to be a surprise?

[Softie]

I'm In...... and +1. So one shiraz and one semm ????

Daniel,

That would be fine but you could also wait and see what others have so we can balance between Sem and Shiraz if needed.

Rgds,
John

[dingozegan]

Hi Softie,

Count me in if there's still space. Would most likely bring a Sem.

[TiggerK]

Hi all,

we'll be keen to come, but given that we'll be going to the North Shore one as well, only if there is space available.

Cheers
TIggerK (and +1)

[Softie]

Ok we're on.

9 Oct our home at Redfern, 7pm unless major consensus for earlier start. Exact address and phone number by PM later to confirmed attendees. Hunter Shiraz and Semillon theme. No lower cost limit because some have less money. Wines above $50 not expected (but appreciated!). No kitty yet - we can discuss the future of this. Please bring own tasting glasses.

Bread and cheese provided but please have a bite before the tasting. Good, cheap Lebanese BYO is 1 minute walk away from us. Our ground floor layout can easily accommodate 15-20 if the format is informal; I'd prefer to not turn away anyone on this first full-on meeting.

Would someone like to volunteer to be Chair for the evening (and co-ordinate wines beforehand, if necessary)

Softie + 1
Bacchaebabe (still in Kris?)
TiggerK +1
Dingozegan
Dave Vino
Odyssey + 1
9redpens + 1
Red Velvet (travel diary permitting)
Benno + 1
Alex F
Cuttlefish
[16 - have I missed anyone? Please advise any changes

[cuttlefish]

Ok we're on.

9 Oct our home at Redfern, 7pm unless major consensus for earlier start. Exact address and phone number by PM later to confirmed attendees. Hunter Shiraz and Semillon theme. No lower cost limit because some have less money. Wines above $50 not expected (but appreciated!). No kitty yet - we can discuss the future of this. Please bring own tasting glasses.

Bread and cheese provided but please have a bite before the tasting. Good, cheap Lebanese BYO is 1 minute walk away from us. Our ground floor layout can easily accommodate 15-20 if the format is informal; I'd prefer to not turn away anyone on this first full-on meeting.

Would someone like to volunteer to be Chair for the evening (and co-ordinate wines beforehand, if necessary)

Softie + 1
Bacchaebabe (still in Kris?)
TiggerK +1
Dingozegan
Dave Vino
Odyssey + 1
9redpens + 1
Red Velvet (travel diary permitting)
Benno + 1
Alex F
Cuttlefish
[16 - have I missed anyone? Please advise any changes

Can I have a plus one, please...BabyShiraz ?

[Softie]

+ BabyShiraz it is:

Softie + 1
Bacchaebabe (still in Kris?)
TiggerK +1
Dingozegan
Dave Vino
Odyssey + 1
9redpens + 1
Red Velvet (travel diary permitting)
Benno + 1
Alex F
Cuttlefish + BabyShiraz
[17]

[9redpens]

Happy to coordinate wine, help out and chair.

Being a man of so many words, I will however draw on the collective wisdom and wine expertise of those present and as that Floyd dude said, I'll sip my wine if I can't think of anything to say.

Do we want to taste blind or try some masked ?

[cuttlefish]

Tasting blind makes it an even playing field, so to speak. No preconceptions.

[dave vino]

Can I suggest in regards to the blind tasting that maybe the next one if people are so inclined, as it tends to intimidate people which you don't want on the first meeting.

[Softie]

Pensman: thanks for the Chairing thing - it spreads the work nicely. John

[bacchaebabe]

Yo, I'm in. Sorry started new busy job and so have been a bit quiet lately. Oct 9 suits me well.

[TiggerK]

Happy with blind or not blind, whatever is decided fine with me. But as a tasting group novice, I did enjoy last months' blind chardonnay tasting. We grouped by age so we knew what year, but blind otherwise. It was good having no preconceived notions about what the winery was, or how much the wine cost. I think as long as it's not done too formally, it's an interesting way to do it, with a couple of fun options questions after each bracket of 3 or 4 before the wine is revealed. The unmasking is one of the best bits!

For Hunter, we could group by sem or shiraz (obviously), but then perhaps pre-90's, 90's and 00's?? The other good option is just a wild mix of whatever years, picking if it's 2 years, 10 or 20 would be very interesting as well.

my little 2c... and it's one shiraz and one sem from us, with a backup shz if the cork gods aren't happy with me. Looking forward to meeting you /seeing you again.

[Loztralia]

I was waiting to post here till I was certain but what the hell, it's been up for ages now. I think my wife and I will be in if there is still room and our host is happy to have us. Can you put me down as a probable at this point?

[Softie]

I was waiting to post here till I was certain but what the hell, it's been up for ages now. I think my wife and I will be in if there is still room and our host is happy to have us. Can you put me down as a probable at this point?

Loz: you and partner are most welcome.

Everyone: I think we might cap it for now [at 19]. Others may wish to post or PM me if they'd like to be on standby; in these things there's always a drop out or two as contingencies arise.

Pensman - you know our place - we can have 19 with informal layout of some at tables and some in nearby lounge chairs. If we get a few drop outs we can seat 14-16. Let's go with the flow, eh?

John