The Auswine Forum

Every once in a while it's good to score when you're out at a restaurant/pub.

Last Saturday as I and a group of friends were watching NAB cup final at a North Adelaide Pub, we were pondering what wine to have with dinner.

I got asked what looked good on the wine list. At first it was the usual story - about a 100% or $50 mark up on everything, at which point I was thinking sticking to the Coopers Pale might be a good idea, until...

The second to last item in the Cabernet blends was a 2001 Yarra Yering Dry Red #1 for $40!

I said that had to be a mistake, so sure enough we ordered it and got it. At the time we were told the bottle didn't scan, but they sold it at the price listed anyway.

After that bottle disappeared one of the girls strolled up to order another and was told in no uncertain terms "THAT WAS THE LAST ONE ... YOU"LL HAVE TO ORDER SOMETHNG ELSE OFF THE LIST"

We got a "new" wine list which also happened to have the 2001 Yarra Yering #1 Dry Red ... for $140/bottle.

So for the second bottle we had a 2004 St. Hallett Faith Shiraz at $41 - sure it was $25 over retail, but we were $100 up at that stage.

While the Crows lost that night, we still all went home with a big smile.

Cheers,
Ian

w00t

I scored two bottles of 1999 Penfold's 707 at $40 a bottle from an IGA in Queenscliffe (near Geelong) two weeks ago. I suspect the same lack of a "1".

Also w00t! These stories are few and far between, but damn satisfying regardless.

My best restaurant buys lately on Icon NZ wines:

2002 Unison Selection - Iguasu Parnell $35 (Retail $42)
2002 Villa Maria Reserve Noble Selection - Peter Gordon's Dine - $52 (Retail $49)

n4sir wrote:The second to last item in the Cabernet blends was a 2001 Yarra Yering Dry Red #1 for $40!

Better than my sogggy chips and Coke Zero at footy park for about $8

Best I have scored was Rockfords Basket Press at $55 a bottle (Cellar door $46)

Three bottles of 99 Dead Arm for $29.95 at bottle shop in Crows Nest.

While I never have luck like this my brother always seems to score well.

Just a few weeks ago he scored a 1996 Lindemans Pyrus magnum for $25 (probably the missing 1)

A few years ago he found a 1991 Hill Of Grace for $86.

Once he was buying an odd assortment of single bottles including a Rosemount Traditional (I think) and a 1994 Mountain Blue. The guy scanned the Traditional and then hit the times 2 button and charged him the same for the Mountain Blue as for the Traditional.

There have been other incidents like this in the past too. The good news is he usually drinks them with me.