The Auswine Forum

Bugger, looks like I missed this one...

Would be keen to be on the reserve list guys.

Cheers,

Monghead.

No worries Mong, you're (& SWMBO) No1 on the reserve list. I'd be surprised if we don't have the odd pull out. I'll keep you advised by PM. John

Were looking good.

Does everyone want to PM the wines and ill advise of any doubles ???

In tems of tasting blind I agree with Dave in that it intimidates some, however as TiggerK said it can be heaps of fun and helps those, that way inclined, learn a little???????? We can always decide on the night.

11 sleeps and counting.
dc

I like the idea of blind tasting.

It would be great if you could get a list of everyone's emails who is participating, and we will send you what wines we are bringing and you can reject duplicates...

Never done a blind taste before so I don't know the typical format but can I suggest the wines are revealed after each bracket (if its not done that way already)?

That way we can go back to our present glasses and relate what we are tasting to the label? Besides those of us with poor memory, I'm guessing after 19 different wines we may not be able to tie each note back to the relevant bottle in our palate's memory, and with 19 tasters there may not be any leftovers to review the wines (or even our own bottles) a 2nd time...

Cheers

Yeah, we can taste blind, in brackets of 4 wines or so, and once we've had a few minutes to look through the four, we start running options, one-by-one.
We don't have to run options, but it does get you thinking.
Looking forward to this night !


NB - Tasting (or revealing) a blind wine is done by asking a most obvious question of the tasters first (like is it white wine or red wine), and then asking further questions to narrow down the field, so second question might be is it Old World or New World ?, Then second question might be is it from 2000, 2003, or 2005
...and so on, until you have asked enough questions that there are no more to ask. It's only really to add interest, and get people thinking. It also gets the question asker (ie. the person who brought that wine) to have a bit of a study, or do a bit of research on the wine they've brought.
Since this is a Hunter Shiraz/Semillon tasting, options (if one chooses to run them) are going to be shorter, since we'll already know it's from Hunter, and that it's either Semillon, or Shiraz (unless someone wants to try and fool us all by slipping in a cleverly disguised other varietal ! Then it's down to vintage and producer.
OBVIOUSLY, options are more entertaining when there are NO LIMITATIONS on what the wine could be or where it's from.

Cf

odyssey wrote:can I suggest the wines are revealed after each bracket (if its not done that way already)?

That way we can go back to our present glasses and relate what we are tasting to the label? Besides those of us with poor memory

...not to mention those of us with mediocre palates who are already worried about showing ourselves up...

Loztralia wrote:
...not to mention those of us with mediocre palates who are already worried about showing ourselves up...

There are no mediocre palettes only hypocrites who make out they where born with superior palates and eloquence.

Unless one is born a little defective we all have amazing olfactory senses and the nuances in taste our brains can interpret are truly amazing. Trying to describe such, another matter. Getting lost in it all, also far too easy.

Please don't fret in this regard, there is never right or wrong, black or white. Bring out the superlatives if you comfortable otherwise laugh at my inferences to hubba bubba........

So who is going to collect the list of wines and vintages so we're not doubling up ?

Is that you 9redpens ?

Shall we PM you our wines ?

Cf

Already done here, lucky 9redpens gets to see the full list...

I PM'ed my email as well.. might be an idea.

Cheers
TiggerK

Done and done....

Bump...

So everyone, how are we looking for the big night? Looking forward to it....

Cheers
TiggerK

I have a stinging sinus infection that hit me on Monday night. I'm still trying to get on top of it. I'm loathe to pull out, as this looks likely to be a great night. Softy, I may be a late withdrawal as a result, and will let you know one way or the other by mid-day tomorrow.

Cf

This thread has become ominously quiet.... Softy, are we still on ? I don't yet know where it's being held...??? Is someone going to PM the details to everyone ?

Cf

...and what wines I have to bring, I sent a list through with some options. I work in the city so have to take everything with me in the morning.

9RedPens was checking the wines but if he doesn't get back to you in time, just bring anything. It doesn't really matter as long as it's a Hunter semillon or shiraz. Even if we double up on a wine, it doesn't really matter as it will just mean we get a larger glass.

Don't forget to bring some glassess too. I'd suggest at least 4 per person so you can get a full flight at the same time. Other than that, maybe a pen and paper or however else you like to record tasting notes. Oh and bring a sense of humour. Softie should update us with the address for those that haven't been to his place before so check back in tomorrow for details. I'll remind him to send an email or pm tomorrow.

Thanks Kris,

looking forward to this event. Hoping softie or 9redpens can update us with the venue address today!

Mrs TiggerK will probably not be attending unfortunately, will know by lunchtime, but I'm coming. Might be hopefully room then for monghead?

Cheers
TiggerK

I'm afraid I'm the inevitable pullout - unexpected family arrival this evening. My apologies, but I hope my place can be taken by mong/whoever and I would like to be kept informed of future gatherings if that's not too much to ask. Have a great evening everyone.

Apologies all: I will PM Unit number but street address is 114 Pitt Street Redfern and the starting time as previously advised is 7pm. I can be reached on 8293 8455 (goes 24/7 to my mobile).

(Combination of mother in law in hospital very ill over last 10 days in a plus interstate trip.)

dave vino wrote:...and what wines I have to bring, I sent a list through with some options. I work in the city so have to take everything with me in the morning.

Sorry Dave, I was waiting for the final wine details and didnt think you may have to raid the cellar well before the event, so to speak. As it stands any of the wines on your list would fit the bill.

Now, I have wine details from all except the Cuttle, Babyshiraz and Benno. No Doubles so far, broad range of producers and an even split between Semm and Shiraz.

I will bring additional standard tasting glasses in case of need.


Confirmed (14)
Softie + 1
Bacchaebabe
TiggerK (+1, maybe)
Dingozegan
Dave Vino
Odyssey + 1
9redpens
Benno + 1 (i'm assuming your still on)
Alex F
Cuttlefish + BabyShiraz

Unknown??
Red Velvet
Mong +1

OK, so it's just me tonight, Mrs TiggerK can't taste anything at the moment!

Looking forward to it everyone. I can probably bring a few spare ISO glassess too.

Looking forward to it too...

I am bringing 6 iso glasses as well...

I'm really sorry to have to pull out at this late stage, but it looks like I'm going to be working late this evening. I promise to make up for my untimely withdrawal by bringing a good bottle next time. Sorry again, I hope it all goes well.

Kind Regards,

Ben

Won't see the internet now until I'm there, so will give you a call softie once I'm outside for the unit number.

Cheers
TiggerK (Tim)

[quote="Benno"]I'm really sorry to have to pull out at this late stage, but it looks like I'm going to be working late this evening. I promise to make up for my untimely withdrawal by bringing a good bottle next time. Sorry again, I hope it all goes well.

No worries Ben a '00 Graveyard should cover it.

Hope to see you next time.

I'm pretty sure the 2005 Guigal La Turque is a Hunter Valley wine.

9redpens wrote:

Benno wrote:I'm really sorry to have to pull out at this late stage, but it looks like I'm going to be working late this evening. I promise to make up for my untimely withdrawal by bringing a good bottle next time. Sorry again, I hope it all goes well.

No worries Ben a '00 Graveyard should cover it.

Hope to see you next time.

Funny you should say this. You know, I was going to bring this if I scored a gurnsey through cancellations. Also, the 2004 Meerea Park Alexander Munro Semillon. Anyways, maybe next time...

Hope you all have a great one...

Cheers,

Monghead.

So who's going to give the official match report then..?

Well, I'd like to thank everyone who helped make last night such a great time. Our generous hosts went above and beyond expectations and it was a lot of fun.

Thanks also to 9redpens for his organising of the wines, and dave vino for the extra cheese!

We arrived at the Softies' lovely apartment, some wetter than others from the rain, and certainly enjoyed the surprise of Lanson and Piper-Heidseck Champagne ready and waiting. Sparkling water, bread, cheese and fresh fruit was also in abundance, as was a nice ambience.

After a chat, we got down to the tasting... I've left my tasting notes at home, (working today ), and you wouldn't want to see my poor efforts anyway, as others are far more eloquent.

But 16 wines were served, two flights each of 4 Hunter semillons, and 2 flights each of 4 Hunter shiraz. No major standout wines, and no poor wines either, just a good solid bunch of interesting, tasty, enjoyable wines. Hunter really showed its' class, and the long term potential of semillon was obvious right from the start when my Vat 1 1998 looked and tasted half it's age! After a break, and a look at Softie's cellar, the reds really showed how good Hunter shiraz is, especially after a few years, as most were in the 97-02 age group.

Will post the actual wines this evening if no one else does first.

Thanks all for a great night, looking forward to the next one, the theme is Champagne and Sparkling Red.

Cheers
TiggerK