The Auswine Forum

Thought I'd start this thread to see what everyone is eating, drinking and doing over the festive season.

SWMBO and I are driving from Adelaide to Sydney (I just love the wide open spaces on the Hay Plains) this Thursday with the car loaded with just some good quality quaffers to feed to a thirsty crowd of relatives over the 2-3 week period. Daughter will fly in closer to Xmas day. With the inlaws house packed with relos we have booked the caravan in the front yard. In the 1950s father in law dug slight depression under the house and lined it with concrete to make a sort of nuclear bomb shelter. No I'm not joking!! It is now my cellar in sydney. Not great but a little more temperature controlled.

Will do Xmas with my sister and family next Sunday (usual feast of seafood and turkey etc) before she heads to NZ for Xmas there while we share Xmas day with in laws and family. Boxing day will be spent in front of the TV watching cricket and yachting and scoffing prawns and any left overs. Plenty of beer and sparkling white and red to wash it down.

Plenty of surfing at Harry Harbord beach and catching up with friends. A few single malts will be shared I imaging.

I do miss Sydney but am very glad to return to Adelaide and the peaceful atmosphere.

Carl

We'll probably be doing a truckload of yard work, because that's what we've been doing this year and still haven't finished hahaha

We're hosting my outlaws for Christmas lunch. For the last four years the current Bin 389 has been the Christmas wine. I think my FIL will bring a peach bubbly and who knows what else we'll have. The food on their side is usually cold meats and salads (more practical) but this year we're cracking out a warmed pulled pork. No seafood though, it's not traditional on my side of the family (roast chicken, pork, ham off the bone with roast veggies) and on the in-law side, there's allergies.

Mmm thinking about an Italian or Spanish red for Christmas Day. Had a great lunch today with some wine loving mates, Black Shiraz, 05 Dead Arm, 04 Meshach, with lamb ribs. Heaven.

Christmas is always at the in laws and I’m the one that usually looks after meat.
This year we are having a whole lamb and pork belly on a spit.

I have a 2002 Andersons Sparkling Shiraz (I’ve had one of these the last 4 years) and a NV St Hallett The Black Sparkling Shiraz lined up.

Cheers Con.

A bit of Rockford Black Shiraz, a Wynns Michael 1990 needs to get drunk and so does a 1996 Magill Estate. For New Years likely a comparison between a 1976 and 2000 La Louviere (the former likely to be dead and gone) and anything else I dig up.

-- George Krashos

We are headed to Russia for Xmas and NYE itself, so we are hosting friends for lunch this coming Saturday.

Last year we did a goose, but my oven capacity is somewhat limited so I have opted for a two part roast- first, a slow-cooked Porchetta which can be prepared in the morning, and then a nice free-range chook. These will be served with "all the trimmings"- roast tatties, buttered carrots, greens, bread sauce, apple sauce, gravy.

We will kick things off with smoked salmon and various anti pasti.

On the wine side, we have a Rockford Black Shiraz, Briar Ridge 2011 Semillon, and a 1979 Kopke Colheita definitely lined up, will need to pick some other bubbles, red and white but I am waiting on two shipments to arrive which will determine what they are.

This is more about what im bringing, rather than whats going to be drunk. Simply because in melbourne, who knows what the temperature/weather will do!

Ruinart n/v
Primo joseph sparkling red
Rockford black shiraz
Braydun hill crimson silk
2005 vat 1
2010 seppelt henty chardonnay
2013 ashbrook estate chardonnay
2010 by farr sangreal pinot
2004 double magnum of colonial estate exile shiraz
2007 le tertre du lys d'or sauternes (750ml)

Smoked salmon, prawns & snapper
Turkey, ham & all the sides
Christmas pud with cognac custard
Afternoon nap around 3:30

Boxing day leftovers of all the above watching the test.

Should be nice and relaxing this year, something we always aim for. We'll probably have a small roast - Pheasant, Guinea-Fowl or maybe wild duck - but we had that 2 years ago.

My preference would be for an old nebbiolo, though I'm not sure I could sneak an old Northern Piemonte one onto the dining table. At that age they can be variable and an acquired taste.

We like to celebrate with wine from the kids birthyears. So probably a Pontet Canet 2005, the first from the case, some German 2007 Riesling and some Sauternes 2005, I'm guessing Ch Rieussec if I can find it.

Off to my sisters, first Christmas in her own place...then flying out that night for 4 weeks in UK/Europe.
Cheers
Craig

Beer.

No-one feels sorryfor you

I'll be at my Mother in laws house so careful planning is required.

Food will be cheese to start then prawns, ham, chicken with a variety of salads, then ice cream with homemade butterscotch sauce.

Wine will be

Cuperly Champagne Prestige
Leasingham Classic Clare 2006 Sparkling Shiraz
Rockford Black Shiraz
Morris Grand muscat to finish

rooman wrote:We like to celebrate with wine from the kids birthyears. So probably a Pontet Canet 2005, the first from the case, some German 2007 Riesling and some Sauternes 2005, I'm guessing Ch Rieussec if I can find it.

Nice ...
Hope thats canet's enjoyable as mine where.
Enjoy.

Hunter wrote:

rooman wrote:We like to celebrate with wine from the kids birthyears. So probably a Pontet Canet 2005, the first from the case, some German 2007 Riesling and some Sauternes 2005, I'm guessing Ch Rieussec if I can find it.

Nice ...
Hope thats canet's enjoyable as mine where.
Enjoy.

I haven't tried one yet. I have been holding off to try and let them get a little more age but figure now is the time to crack the case open. I know they need at least another 5-10 but can't wait any longer

Christmas lunch at my parents under a temporary gazebo set up on the lawn down next to the water (Lake Macquarie). Cold stuff, chicken, ham, prawns, bugs, salads.

I've got Krug MV for a starter then not 100% sure. Probably 2006 pewsey vale contours Riesling, 2010 Giaconda Chardonnay, then some Pinot. Not sure what. Looking for a sweetish German rizza to drink with dessert (tiramisu).

Rockford Black Shiraz for Boxing Day cricket, and a 2004 Seppelt Show Sparkling when that runs dry.

Some Arras Bubbles, 2011 Hoddles Creek 1er Chardonnay, 2008 Rockford Basket Press and either a Cornerstone Grenache from Greenock Creek or a Fraser Gallop Cabernet blend depending on the heat up here in Brisbane.

And food, Not sure. Everyone brings a little something. So could be turkey, curry or seafood.

Plenty of cold ham, prawns and chicken with salads and more dessert than you can poke a stick at.

Will wash it all down with the following

2003 E&E Sparkling Shiraz
2010 Clover Hill Sparkling Rose
My brother will bring some late 90's Lovedale Semillon
2002 Richmond Grove Watervale Riesling

and dependent upon weather and how hot it is

1999 Wirra Wirra RSW
2002 Torbreck Steading
2007 Kooyong Meres Pinot Noir or Paringa Estate Pinot

I'm going with a Texas theme on the food, 24hour pulled pork sous vide, tangy slaw and buns, Buffalo Wings, Brisket Burgers, Texas potato salad, yadda, yadda.

Wine
Mumm Champers/Seppelt Sparkling Shiraz/Rockford Semillon/Noon Reserve Cabernet/WDC Springflat Shiraz/Tokay/then about 6 different Caribbean Rums, pass out, wake up next day around lunch time, promise to never drink that much again.

Hunter wrote:

rooman wrote:We like to celebrate with wine from the kids birthyears. So probably a Pontet Canet 2005, the first from the case, some German 2007 Riesling and some Sauternes 2005, I'm guessing Ch Rieussec if I can find it.

Nice ...
Hope thats canet's enjoyable as mine where.
Enjoy.

Found the Pontet Canet 2005 and the Ch Rieussec 2005. Have added to it a 2005 Leeuwin AS Chardonnay, a Maximim Grunhaus Spatlese 2007 and a Dupont-Tisserandot Charmes Chambertin 2007.

I reckon that's a fair contribution to my friends lunch/ dinner.

Christmas Eve-Eve dinner with some good friends at my place, keep it simple.
- Nibbles / Pizzas / Ice-cream cones
- Some Aus sparkling, then 2012 Bannockburn Chardonnay, 2015 Mac Forbes Pinot, 2006 Castagna Genesis, maybe a ~10 yr old Noble One.


Christmas Eve dinner with my parents, the in-laws and my brother/SIL and my place.
- Ham off the bone, prawns, whole fish, salads, mangoes, some dessert creations that my SIL is working on.
- NV Champagne TBC, Crawford River Riesling, 2015 Oakridge Willowlake Pinot, 2012 Drumborg Pinot. If it's not too hot maybe an Adelina Shiraz Mataro or might try a Sami-Odi Little Wine. Plus whatever my old man brings - likely an old Riesling and young Pinot. Paul Mas Chardonnay for my Mum, who likes what she likes. Plus whatever dross my father-in-law brings.

Christmas Dinner with my wife's parents, her brother & SIL and her family at their place.
- Big hot cooked meal with Lamb, Pork, Turkey, baked vegies, Yorkshire puddings - they put on the whole spread, can be a bit of a struggle in a Qld summer but we'll do our best.
- I'll take a couple of Aussie sparkling wines, some presentable Sauvignon blanc and Pinot Noir but nothing special. Will take a bottle of Durif of some sort for the hosts also as they love them even in summer.

Boxing day Lunch with my sister & brother and their families at my parent's place.
- Food TBC, probably left over ham. Think I'll slow roast a pork belly.
- My last bottle of '04 Yalumba "D" Sparkling Cab Shiraz for my sister. Probably open some old-ish Rieslings, maybe 02 Mesh and 98 or 99 Crawford River. Then try to raid my Dad's cellar once he's appropriately accommodating.

Merry Christmas All!
Will

Xmas lunch will def include some natural oysters and a glass or 3 of crabtree riesling. Maybe some Knappstein or Penna Lane.
I've got a 2004 Taylors St Andrews Shiraz I've been thinking of cracking on xmas day but it looks like it's going to be 40+ so
maybe just stick with the rizza. The old boy will have a GC AP block tucked under his arm so I'll 'assist' him with that.

Some sparkling red in the form of Primo and Braydun hills (love this gear) will make an apperance over the break at some point.
Other than that an Aperol Spritz or two will help in the heat (dont forget the sicilian olives!).
I've also been quaffing away on some primo estate la biondina colombard and cleanskin rizzas from crabtree at the moment.
There's enough in stock to carry that trend thru the break.
Got a lads lunch the end of this week which I dare say will include some current vintage BP over the bar and whatever
else takes our fancy. dare say a traditional cleasing schooner of coopers PA to begin proceedings.

Benchmark wrote:Beer.

+1...now that its going to be 40 degree C in Adelaide.
Some Grolsch swing tops or Carlsberg Elephant (nothing like a 7.8%er to get morning proceedings underway)...proper beer not the soap that is made under license.

I was also thinking a 94 Sepplets SRSB, these have been sitting quietly for about 16 years now

Scotty Vino, hard to beat the Crabtree Riesling clean skins at $90 or whatever a case they are..an absolute no brainer, particularly as made by KT.

I was watching 'Finger licker in the black skivvy' last night...the domestic goddess and OMG she so is...Miss Lawson's Christmas special. If the day is as relaxed as that it will be magnificent.

Happy Christmas to all and thanks again GAV for the opportunity here...haven't been so much on the rant of late...perhaps I am mellowing

Cheers
Craig.

PS. don't know what Ian (N4Sir) has been up to of late...I trust and hope he is well...can Chuck or Carl or any of the other Adelaide forumites throw any light here??

Rockford Black Shiraz......same as every year!!

Plus a few whites as we don't normally do the whole hot lunch thing, due to the heat up here on the Gold Coast.

Merry Christmas to all the forumites. May 2017 be filled with great wine, fantastic memories and much happiness.

Cheers
Ian

phillisc wrote:

Benchmark wrote:Beer.

PS. don't know what Ian (N4Sir) has been up to of late...I trust and hope he is well...can Chuck or Carl or any of the other Adelaide forumites throw any light here??

My star sign is Gemini so it's appropriate you mention my real name and forum nickname.

Ian has been absent from the forum for some time which is most unusual. I believe he had a health issue last year but was better. I do hope he is in good health and still enjoying a vino or 2.

From all the posts it looks like we'll all be meeting in the new year at the AA meetings, the gym and Jenny Craig. But that's what Xmas/New Year is all about....I think. Also please drive carefully, no DD and be kind to relatives you may only see once a year.

Have a wonderful Xmas and New Year and keep smiling. And thanks to Gav for putting up with us for another year. He does a lot for us tragics by giving us a forum that is populated by some nice people with a common passion. I do recall many years ago someone here dropped the line - Life's too short to drink bad wine. Not a truer word said. And continuing the theme I was listening to a podcast with Jeff Kennett, ex VIC premier during which he recommended highly we all give thanks when we wake up each morning. Good advice IMO.

Carl

Like Scotty Vino, will be in Adelaide also, so 40+ degrees!
Focus for us will be on the white wine I’ve picked up ex cellar doors:
'16 Turkey Flat Barossa White (Marsanne, Viognier & Roussanne blend)
A couple of ’16 Clare Rizzas (Riesling Freak No.3 & Naked Run) and a ’12 Taylors St Andrews Riesling

I have an in law arriving from overseas in the next day or so with some Barolos – probably will crack a few of those prior to xmas before the weather heats up. Looking forward to that.

Benchmark wrote:Beer.

Not surprised in KL

6 or 7 of us

Cold food ... prawns, cray, chicken, ham, salads, then pavlova, then cheeses

Then to drink ...
Romney Park 2012 Blanc de Blancs
Wynns 2016 Riesling (token Coonawarra)
maybe a Clare rizza
probably a special bin Penfolds, Bin90A, 920 or Block 42
miscellaneous other wines relaxing later

Back to the future, Xmas-eve-eve-eve at Paris Go, scene of a very drunken off-line last week, hope they let me in

Best wishes for a Merry Xmas and a safe and happy New Year to all forumites and families.

It's been another great year for wine experiences, I wish you all the best for more of the same in 2017

cheers, Malcolm

Christmas lunch will be turkey and ham.

Wines will be Brezza 2009 Barolo (doesn't pair well. Ur I picked the Barolo and the family picked the good, I blame them!) and a Domaine du Pegau 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape...maybe start with a beer.