August - Sydney Offline - Hunter Valley

[Bobthebuilder]

Just putting it out there, but FWIW, I"m happy with a 40ml pour if we decide to treat the whole event as one table. Worth considering especially if we get any dropouts. Cam would likely come back in too, hence 750ml/18 = ~ 40.

People would have to be ruthless with ensuring fair and even pours around the table, but we would end up with some wonderful flights!!

Happy either way though, but if two tables (as mentioned), lets make them 8 and 9, not 7 and 10.

I'm fine with 40ml pours too and like the idea of tasting more wines but less of each.

Another variation of this that might work if people would like to see slightly larger pours;
assume for mathematical simplicity each person was only bringing one bottle.
everyone starts with their own bottles and everything gets passed in the same direction around the table.
So if you had 50ml pours and 18 people the last 3 would miss out on that bottle, but out of the 18 bottles everyone get to try 15 of them.
If they were 60ml pours and 18 people, then you get to try 12.5 bottles.

Considering the average amount of bottles per person is close to 2, were all going to taste close to double that amount of bottles anyway.
I think considering the amount of wine coming maybe an attempt at 40ml pours might be a great idea, but chances are that by the time it gets to the 16th or 17th person it runs out (especially with the reds with sediment), but if this method (of starting at the person who brings the bottle and passing in one direction) is followed, then we are all only going to miss out on trying a couple of bottles out of everything there.

Just a thought

[Polymer]

18 is really a stretch IMO....40mls is doable but it'll be hard....People should really try to understand what 40mls looks like in their glass..

I'm open to it...though...but I agree with Bob, with some of the older bottles the only thing left will be sediment so even more important people don't go over.

But if we split it should be 8 and 9. Probably move Pat over to even out the reds/whites. I don't think Winetragic is showing up.

[Croquet King]

I just poured 40mls into a glass its about what you'd get at cellar door - enough for one tasting mouth full.

I'm happy to do that or we could stay in the two groups, have 60 ml tastings and then swap whats left over with the other group. That group then splits it up depending on who wants to try what.

Whatever the organiser decides - he's done a good job so far.

[TiggerK]

Didn't mean to cause a fuss, just thought the possibility was worth mentioning since we've all ended up at one big table, we might as well pass each bottle around and all can enjoy everything. The pour size may be small, but we're talking 40+ wines here! I don't think swapping groups will work out in the venue, moving around won't be a good option, so I'd say one group or two distinct groups, keep it simple.

A reminder that the restaurant is expecting us to bring our own glasses. I'm sure they'll have a small number, but for flights we might need 2,3 or 4 each, so we can't expect them to supply more than a few people.

[Bobthebuilder]

A reminder that the restaurant is expecting us to bring our own glasses. I'm sure they'll have a small number, but for flights we might need 2,3 or 4 each.

We're going to need quite a bit of space just for the boxes

[dave vino]

I can see the merits of both sides, but I'm probably leaning towards bigger pours and then as the night wears on and people start doing smaller pours as they realise it has caught up with them maybe any bottles with leftovers can be 'sent down the other end'. 40Ml doesn't really give you a good 'go' with the wine.

[TiggerK]

I can see the merits of both sides, but I'm probably leaning towards bigger pours and then as the night wears on and people start doing smaller pours as they realise it has caught up with them maybe any bottles with leftovers can be 'sent down the other end'. 40Ml doesn't really give you a good 'go' with the wine.

Yeah fair enough Dave, it's borderline and there will be good (and fairly similar) lineups on either table anyway. Think I'll do two reds to help balance out Table 1.

[Bobthebuilder]

Yeah I can see the merits and disadvantages of both too
There's never going to be a shortage of off lines to test the waters
Dave, what do you think is a suitable pour size?

[Krusty]

I'm with Dave, I think trying to get a bottle through 18 people no matter will be difficult, especially after a few and with 40+ bottles flying past. I think a simple split is a good solution and will also give each "table" a bit more time on each wine as well.

[dave vino]

I'm happy with anything above 60ml in a large tasting, although I tend to take the perspective of how many bottles you'll be consuming if shared equally, at the current rate it is going to be about 1.75bottles per person (way too much). Most will bail at around one so in reality there will be more and more left in the bottles as the night goes on. So I'd be inclined myself to be doing 60ml pours even if between 8 and leaving a bit left 'for the other end if they want a cheeky sample'. People like Burges won't be hitting the whites with great gusto so there will be that aspect as well. Que Sera, Sera I reckon.

I'm driving so won't be pouring much, just enough for a few sips and swirls and spits. So as organiser I'll be cracking the whip and keeping things moving as people get tipsy and lose track of time.

[Polymer]

Yeah...the pours end up being around 60mls which means there will be more to hit the other table if need be or more if someone wants a little more...and as Dave said, there is so much wine the pours will get smaller as the evening goes on......well, unless it is Nick and dessert wine .

With about 12 wines per table declared plus any random extras that always pop up...that's going to be more than enough..

[Krusty]

...well, unless it is Nick and dessert wine .

Poor Bob !

[Polymer]

Haha...I think the rule is we're allowed to mention it for a year or until the next person does it .

[9redpens]

I'm happy with anything above 60ml in a large tasting, although I tend to take the perspective of how many bottles you'll be consuming if shared equally, at the current rate it is going to be about 1.75bottles per person (way too much). Most will bail at around one so in reality there will be more and more left in the bottles as the night goes on. So I'd be inclined myself to be doing 60ml pours even if between 8 and leaving a bit left 'for the other end if they want a cheeky sample'. People like Burges won't be hitting the whites with great gusto so there will be that aspect as well. Que Sera, Sera I reckon.

I'm driving so won't be pouring much, just enough for a few sips and swirls and spits. So as organiser I'll be cracking the whip and keeping things moving as people get tipsy and lose track of time.

Its not the 2 bottles per person I'm scared off, its you with a whip and Nick with his corkscrew.

[pc79]

Got a 2013 Gundog WIld Semillon & a 1997 Maurice O'Shea if i can find him.

[TiggerK]

Latest Status update...

Table 1
1. Dave Vino (2000 Lakes Folly, 2004 Maurice O'Shea)
2. TiggerK (2007 Maurice O'Shea, Capercaillie The Ghillie Shiraz 2003)
3. Krusty (Thomas Braemore '06,'09 & '12)
4. Croquet King (1997 Lakes Folly)
5. Burges (03 Lovedale Semillon)
6. 9RedPens 99 Vat 1, 00 Glenguin Aristea,
7. 10RedPens - sparkling semillon and perhaps a Francis sparkling Pinot 2009
8. Pat (2000 Tyrrell's Vat 1)
(7 whites, 7 reds)

Table 2
9. PC79 (2013 Gundog Wild Semillon and a 2007 Vat 9)
10. Polymer (2 Reds)
11. Deejay (96 Lovedale Sem, 98 Mt Pleasant Late Harvest Semillon Dessert Wine)
12. Lauren (99 Vat 1)
13. bobthebuilder (92 Vat 1 and? Meerea Park Hell Hole Shiraz 2006)
14. barbthebuilder (2007 Meerea Park Alexander Munro Shiraz)
15. Dingozegan (Chateau Francois 2013 Shiraz and 2009 Semillon)
(5/6 whites, 6 reds)

[Bobthebuilder]

I'm going to bring a 2006 meerea park hell hole shiraz to try and balance the red/white on table 2 a little more

[Winetragic]

Sorry I'm out, my son has a concert on Friday evening and despite my best efforts my wife is not giving me a leave pass.....Sorry its taken me so long to reply but I've been trying to wear her down with no success, I am very disappointed, there doesn't seem to be a super sad smilie..... Just a quick note as well to say thankyou, firstly for allowing me to join, despite you not knowing me form Adam, and secondly to TiggerK for kindly pm'ing me to remind me that the least I can do is confirm whether I am attending.

See you next time

[Polymer]

I think moving Pat over to Table 1 is probably best seeing as Table 2 have couples, verticals and need the reds.

I'll bring two reds (and maybe something else).

Should leave us with 8 and 8 which works out.

[Pat]

i'm happy to move to table 1 if that assists. What wine would table 1 prefer me to bring i.e Vat 1 or ILR?

[TiggerK]

Cool, have modified my list above... Pat, my vote is for one of the Vat 1's, but if under cork, you know how iffy they can be, might need a backup?

[Polymer]

Pat - you don't have to bring a backup btw....

[TiggerK]

Pat - you don't have to bring a backup btw....

If it's under cork though, and you want to play it safe and have us taste something you brought. I wasn't suggesting it has to be opened.

Edit : Of course it's not a requirement, I did say 'might'.

[Polymer]

Well, I don't think it is a requirement to bring a backup...you can if you want but you don't need to...

Especially with what will be 1.5+ bottles per person..it isn't a big deal...

Tim - Yeah I know you said might..just want to make it clear since Pat is new .

[Croquet King]

What wine would table 1 prefer me to bring i.e Vat 1 or ILR?

I'll put a vote in for Vat 1 but ILR also an excellent choice.


So for Table 1 we have

Thomas Braemore vertical 2006, 2009, 2012
1999 Vat 1, 2000 (or 2002) Vat 1,2003 Lovedale
1997 Lakes Folly, 2000 Lakes Folly,
2004 Maurice O'Shea, 2007 Maurice O'Shea, 2003 Capercaillie The Ghillie Shiraz, 2000 Glenguin Aristea

plus a sparkling semillon and perhaps a Francis sparkling Pinot 2009

A fine line up indeed.

[Polymer]

Yeah..some cool mini verticals there....great stuff..

[deejay81]

If we're lacking in anything I can bring in addition to what i'm already bringing either
a Mount Pleasant Leontine Chardonnay
Mount Pleasant Rosehill Shiraz
Mount Pleasant OP OH Shiraz
Thomas DJV Shiraz
all from 2011...

If you guys want me to bring any of these let me know and ill be more than happy to...

[Polymer]

David - If you want to bring something else then I'm sure no one would object .

I hope no one feels as if they have to bring extras....Anything extra is always appreciated but it is definitely not a must...

[Pat]

I'll bring the 2000 Vat 1 (and a backup )

[Bobthebuilder]

Getting excited tonight
Picked up my zaltos this arvo (thanks Greg!) and pulled out the wines for tomorrow and placed them in a spot that will remind me to pre decant
What time we kicking off?