The Auswine Forum

Hey everyone. I will be back in Adelaide over the xmas/ny period and was wondering if anyone would be keen for an offline? I'll be in town from the 23rd of December until the 5th of January.

Possible themes:

Go harder or go home.
Rhone vs SA (or could be more specific with Cote-Rotie vs Shiraz Viogner from SA for example)
Bordeaux Vs Aus Boreaux Blends.
Bourgogne Vs The World.
2002 Vs 2004

Anyway.. I know it's a busy time for people so it might not work out but I thought I'd put it out there.

Jesse

This sounds like fun, as long it is after the 28th.
The Go harder or go home and Bordeaux themes both sound good.

Cheers

Mark

I'd be down for the 29th.

Go harder or go home is my pick of the bunch.

Count me in for the 29th and a 'go harder or go home' theme sounds like an plan!

Tony

Three people.. that's an offline!

Panda 9D wrote:Three people.. that's an offline!

Four, I will bring Gail.

I'm recently (like, fresh off the plane) returned to Australia and I'm keen for the 29th, too. I'm not fussed re: theme.

Sadly (is that the right word?) we'll be off on our honeymoon, but enjoy!

I'm interested. Finding a venue that time of the year could be tough though.

As far as a possible theme goes, anything except Shiraz Viognier blends. Seriously, anything else.

Cheers,
Ian

by n4sir
I'm interested. Finding a venue that time of the year could be tough though.

As far as a possible theme goes, anything except Shiraz Viognier blends. Seriously, anything else.

Not even a Cote Roti?
I would agree, NO Aussie Shz/Vio blends please.

As for a venue there was a discussion re the merits of pairing exemplary dining and top wines. where to focus your attention. do the wines dominate the food, or the food dominate the wine?

The thought on the night was to have competent food that would not outshine, and take focus off, the wines.

cheers
phill

n4sir wrote:I'm interested. Finding a venue that time of the year could be tough though.

As far as a possible theme goes, anything except Shiraz Viognier blends. Seriously, anything else.

Cheers,
Ian

.... seriously funny, that last line ....

and hope you are feeling well, Ian.

n4sir wrote:I'm interested. Finding a venue that time of the year could be tough though.

As far as a possible theme goes, anything except Shiraz Viognier blends. Seriously, anything else.

Cheers,
Ian

Anything else? Goons of Australia's Southeast it is

Looks like we can bring anything we like. As I have access to European wine at (slightly) more reasonable prices I will try to find something from over there. I figured venues might be tricky to get at that time so that's why I mentioned it early. I'm not sure what's good in Adelaide ATM but I can start emailing places people recommend?

crusty2 wrote:As for a venue there was a discussion re the merits of pairing exemplary dining and top wines. where to focus your attention. do the wines dominate the food, or the food dominate the wine?

The thought on the night was to have competent food that would not outshine, and take focus off, the wines.

cheers
phill

Just finding a venue might be a struggle - when the new penalty rates kicked in last year quite a few closed their doors altogether over the Christmas/New Years stretch because it wasn't worth it.

While we were talking about possible venue types at the last offline, I forgot to bring up another option that was mentioned once before. Would someone possibly host it at their place if they had enough space and it was reasonably central to everyone? We usually handle the wines ourselves anyway, it might then just leave us the option of finding someone to cater it for the night.

Cheers,
Ian

n4sir wrote:Just finding a venue might be a struggle - when the new penalty rates kicked in last year quite a few closed their doors altogether over the Christmas/New Years stretch because it wasn't worth it.

While we were talking about possible venue types at the last offline, I forgot to bring up another option that was mentioned once before. Would someone possibly host it at their place if they had enough space and it was reasonably central to everyone? We usually handle the wines ourselves anyway, it might then just leave us the option of finding someone to cater it for the night.

Cheers,
Ian

If I had a home I would offer it up but unfortunately, in Adelaide, I'm barely a notch above homeless.

Panda 9D wrote:

n4sir wrote:Just finding a venue might be a struggle - when the new penalty rates kicked in last year quite a few closed their doors altogether over the Christmas/New Years stretch because it wasn't worth it.

While we were talking about possible venue types at the last offline, I forgot to bring up another option that was mentioned once before. Would someone possibly host it at their place if they had enough space and it was reasonably central to everyone? We usually handle the wines ourselves anyway, it might then just leave us the option of finding someone to cater it for the night.

Cheers,
Ian

If I had a home I would offer it up but unfortunately, in Adelaide, I'm barely a notch above homeless.

I think George mentioned he might have space to possibly host something once before. Mark & Gail have just finished their renovations and are centrally located in the Adelaide CBD - I think it will all depend on who is going (and how many) to see if anyone is willing to host it. Timing could be an issue too with so much going on around that date.

One of my clients was a chef at Enzo's and does contract catering, which is why I was thinking that may be something to consider. With the timing of this offline right at the end of the year it may be a good option, particularly if the weather turns really nasty and we have to adjust what we are taking, or even regrettably pull the plug at the last second - doing that with some of the restaurants would be nothing short of disastrous.

Cheers,
Ian

n4sir wrote:

Panda 9D wrote:

n4sir wrote:Just finding a venue might be a struggle - when the new penalty rates kicked in last year quite a few closed their doors altogether over the Christmas/New Years stretch because it wasn't worth it.

While we were talking about possible venue types at the last offline, I forgot to bring up another option that was mentioned once before. Would someone possibly host it at their place if they had enough space and it was reasonably central to everyone? We usually handle the wines ourselves anyway, it might then just leave us the option of finding someone to cater it for the night.

Cheers,
Ian

If I had a home I would offer it up but unfortunately, in Adelaide, I'm barely a notch above homeless.

I think George mentioned he might have space to possibly host something once before. Mark & Gail have just finished their renovations and are centrally located in the Adelaide CBD - I think it will all depend on who is going (and how many) to see if anyone is willing to host it. Timing could be an issue too with so much going on around that date.

One of my clients was a chef at Enzo's and does contract catering, which is why I was thinking that may be something to consider. With the timing of this offline right at the end of the year it may be a good option, particularly if the weather turns really nasty and we have to adjust what we are taking, or even regrettably pull the plug at the last second - doing that with some of the restaurants would be nothing short of disastrous.

Cheers,
Ian

We could squeeze in 6 people at a pinch (Gail and I plus 4 more). Not sure about how to cater. Late cancellations would be worse with a caterer than a restaurant I would have thought.

If it is go hard or go home, we could go reasonably cheap and simple with the food and leave more money for wine. Open to suggestions on where to source the food from.

Cheers

Mark

Mark Jappe wrote:We could squeeze in 6 people at a pinch (Gail and I plus 4 more). Not sure about how to cater. Late cancellations would be worse with a caterer than a restaurant I would have thought.

If it is go hard or go home, we could go reasonably cheap and simple with the food and leave more money for wine. Open to suggestions on where to source the food from.

Cheers

Mark

From the replies this far out it's looking like a fairly small group:

Jesse
Mark & Gail
Steve
Ian
Tony

I guess you could possibly add Crazy Dave, Jeff, Chi, Phill and George, so that's anywhere between 6 and 11 at this stage. I might have room for 7 at most, and that's way out in the scary NE 'burbs...

The biggest possible problem cancelling late with a caterer would be if it's after he's already bought supplies, before that I don't think it would be a huge deal - I guess it all depends on who it is. If we all do BYO glasses and prepare/pour the wines ourselves, all we really need is a cook/food to arrange.

If we go harder or home, what wines do you have left on your list of Langtons Classifications to try Mark?

Cheers,
Ian

Whilst we can't do this one, if you want to save the caterer/hosting idea, we can fit 18-20 people at our place, and it's just in Magill, but as I said we won't be in town for this one!

Unfortunately I'm unable to host (young kids et al).

Crazy on the other hand might be able if he can make it.....i'll check

Cheers,
Tony

Won't be able to do the 29th fellows. Lots of stuff on at that time and I'll be stretched very thin. Shame not to see Jesse again, but I'll save it up for the next time.

-- George Krashos

Good news first... I Just heard back from Crazy and he's in. Bad news is that he is reluctant to Host...

I'm still finding it hard to believe there isn't a restaurant in the city that would take us?

Panda 9D wrote:I'm still finding it hard to believe there isn't a restaurant in the city that would take us?

I am happy with a restaurant if someone can find one that long as it is not tchow.

Could Assagio on King William be an option? I've never been there but they do BYO.

Panda 9D wrote:Could Assagio on King William be an option? I've never been there but they do BYO.

I thought they had a limit of one bottle per couple?

Oh... possibly.

I'll throw another one out there then. A very respectable source has recommended From Orient.

http://fromorient.com.au

Panda 9D wrote:Could Assagio on King William be an option? I've never been there but they do BYO.

I almost forgot, I do have a contact at Assaggio Cafe, Campbelltown.

http://campbelltown.assaggio.com.au/

It's the other side of town, getting towards the NE 'burbs which will suit some of us, others not so much.

I'll try and give him a call to see if they're open that day, and how flexible they're willing to be - as I mentioned earlier, for that time of the year it will be a nightmare to negotiate something reasonable with most places, so don't bank on it.

Cheers,
Ian

A quick update - I've rung my contact at Assaggio Cafe, he seems enthusiastic but will get the functions manager to contact me in regard to seeing if it's doable and arranging something.

Phill also mentioned something about checking with Barton's (Caledonian Hotel, North Adelaide), and may be able to drum in some additional people if we're short of attendees.

Cheers,
Ian

Either of those places sound good to me. Thanks for checking things out Ian.

I got a phone call from my contact at Assaggio Cafe today - we're booked in for the 29th, somewhere between 7-8 people until more commit.

We're working out a set menu which I'll confirm closer to the date, corkage is $10/bottle, they will vary that if we leave a bit behind for them to try.

Cheers,
Ian