The Auswine Forum

Hi all,

Is anyone else going to the RAS wine show in Sydney tomorrow?

Having been a 'starter' for this for some years now, and given that in the past the tasting time was limited to about 2 - 2.5 hours, I developed a 'technique' of working the show that meant tasting the trophy winners (in their own room), then trying the medal winners in each category of interest, followed by any particular wines of interest ('big names' ..etc). I also sometimes try the lowest scoring wines in an attempt to determine just what it is that divides the 'top' from the 'crop'. This may sound a bit silly, but I see it as a 'self education' moment. Given that this show has so many wines available, has anyone got any bright ideas on an a better 'approach'? Even though this show can end up getting a 'bit messy', in my mind it's one of the most enjoyable of the year. Although, www.divineonline.com.au are advertising a German Riesling tasting (no date yet) that I'm very keen to attend...

cheers,
dave

Just back from the show. Boy - has the format changed!!! The 'new' show allows you only to taste 3 gold medal wines, 6 silvers and 8 bronze. You may taste any of the others (non-medal wines), but this year you must not touch the wine, but must wait for some of the hired help to wander your way and pour for you. All in all, a real waste of cash. This was once the a great show, but I fear its days are past.
Of the wines I did try, the Starvedog Lane Cab Sav was a stand out, along with the Gramps 2004 shiraz.
Note to self: Read the 'fine print' before signing up for wine shows in future....

Unfortunately the stupid minority have foisted this type of thing on us.

Over here in SA, the excellent Barossa Wine Show public tasting was deleted last year after a few idiots over imbibed the previous year and the show committee copped some grief or got scared about public liability implications.

That jewel, the Adelaide Wine Show public tasting was also cancelled last year for the same reasons and won't be revived after being substantially cut down in tasting time from previous years. Even the much shortened time didn't stop the clowns from getting pissed and causing a scene.

Sydney looks like it's kept the public tasting but made it impossible to drink too much by having to get the wines poured for you. Doesn't sound like it's worth the effort any more.

The NWS doesn't have a public tasting as such, hasn't for many years, but it does have a Trade tasting and a sponsors/friends free tasting that you can get to if you know the right people or buy enough wine from Vintage Cellars.

Tasters still pour for themselves but all but one bottle of the bubblies, all the brandy and the unopened fortifieds are removed before the final tasting session, this seems to cut down on the average level of intoxication and there were no problems that I saw last year.

You're right Brian, all of these shows have Exhibitors tastings and the major ones like Adelaide show also have a Trade/Sponsors tasting.

These are now the "ticket" for those of us with winery connections but unfortunately the average keen consumer has been left out in the cold by the dickhead element.

707 wrote:You're right Brian, all of these shows have Exhibitors tastings and the major ones like Adelaide show also have a Trade/Sponsors tasting.

These are now the "ticket" for those of us with winery connections but unfortunately the average keen consumer has been left out in the cold by the dickhead element.

I guess this answers Wine Girl's question in another thread "are allowed to use the D word?".

n4sir wrote:

707 wrote: but unfortunately the average keen consumer has been left out in the cold by the dickhead element.

I guess this answers Wine Girl's question in another thread "are allowed to use the D word?".

Sure does, and I think where she wanted to use it was most appropriate!!