The Auswine Forum

Hi All,

Just wondering if anyone went to the Shiraz Expo a certain liquor chain (initials DM) held at various stores around Australia. If so, a list of wines that impressed or tating notes would be good. I did not manage to get there.

Check in the "May Already - Sunday Reports Due" thread....

By the way, did anybody else experience the sublime wisdom of Fosters group at this tasting?

The game they played before you could touch their beloved G liquid was ridiculous. Everybody was confused and bamboozled to find that as soon as you approached the table you were automatically poured the first wine from right to left then rudely told to move on and line up again. They would then discuss amongst themselves (two blokes) where in the line you were upon returning and proceed to pour you that wine regardless of what you told them you had last tasted. Their aim (????) was to get you to taste the whole Fosters collection before they would let you try Grange (but only single taste at a time). Not only did they not explain this to anybody the first time, it was left up to patrons to work it out by themselves. Have never met a ruder or arrogant rep/taster experience before in my life (gee wiz never would have thought it would come from Penfold’s group).

This was power tripping to the max and irresponsible service of alcohol. Well done Fosters (that said it was bloody good stuff dooohhhh).

Partagas wrote:By the way, did anybody else experience the sublime wisdom of Fosters group at this tasting?

The game they played before you could touch their beloved G liquid was ridiculous. Everybody was confused and bamboozled to find that as soon as you approached the table you were automatically poured the first wine from right to left then rudely told to move on and line up again. They would then discuss amongst themselves (two blokes) where in the line you were upon returning and proceed to pour you that wine regardless of what you told them you had last tasted. Their aim (????) was to get you to taste the whole Fosters collection before they would let you try Grange (but only single taste at a time). Not only did they not explain this to anybody the first time, it was left up to patrons to work it out by themselves. Have never met a ruder or arrogant rep/taster experience before in my life (gee wiz never would have thought it would come from Penfold’s group).

This was power tripping to the max and irresponsible service of alcohol. Well done Fosters (that said it was bloody good stuff dooohhhh).

In Canberra (Belconnen) it was different u got a ticket as u entered the store and then u queued up directly to the Grange and got your 30 odd mLs - was quite a fast process. It was a pain in the arse getting to the RWT and St Henri 05 as they were all at the same table with the Grange.

That sounds almost logical having tickets to first folk who walk through. Maybe the Fosters reps are a funnier breed here in Perth?

It was superbly organised in Adelaide.

You got your Grange ticket when you entered, picked up the grange straight away, drank it, then made your way to the other end of the store, where there were six tables arranged into a rectangle, there was very easy access to whatever wine you wanted, when you wanted it.

Multiple tastings of every wine would have been very easy.

Partagas wrote:By the way, did anybody else experience the sublime wisdom of Fosters group at this tasting?

The game they played before you could touch their beloved G liquid was ridiculous. Everybody was confused and bamboozled to find that as soon as you approached the table you were automatically poured the first wine from right to left then rudely told to move on and line up again. They would then discuss amongst themselves (two blokes) where in the line you were upon returning and proceed to pour you that wine regardless of what you told them you had last tasted. Their aim (????) was to get you to taste the whole Fosters collection before they would let you try Grange (but only single taste at a time). Not only did they not explain this to anybody the first time, it was left up to patrons to work it out by themselves. Have never met a ruder or arrogant rep/taster experience before in my life (gee wiz never would have thought it would come from Penfold’s group).

This was power tripping to the max and irresponsible service of alcohol. Well done Fosters (that said it was bloody good stuff dooohhhh).

I've officially boycotted Penfolds. I'm sure that ripples of my decision are being felt in the corridors of power at Castle Greyskull, but I'm sticking to my guns

Not being Australian, I don't hold Grange in the esteem that some people do. Still, if I was super rich I'd probably buy a few bottles and give them to poor people.

Rawshack wrote:

Partagas wrote:By the way, did anybody else experience the sublime wisdom of Fosters group at this tasting?

The game they played before you could touch their beloved G liquid was ridiculous. Everybody was confused and bamboozled to find that as soon as you approached the table you were automatically poured the first wine from right to left then rudely told to move on and line up again. They would then discuss amongst themselves (two blokes) where in the line you were upon returning and proceed to pour you that wine regardless of what you told them you had last tasted. Their aim (????) was to get you to taste the whole Fosters collection before they would let you try Grange (but only single taste at a time). Not only did they not explain this to anybody the first time, it was left up to patrons to work it out by themselves. Have never met a ruder or arrogant rep/taster experience before in my life (gee wiz never would have thought it would come from Penfold’s group).

This was power tripping to the max and irresponsible service of alcohol. Well done Fosters (that said it was bloody good stuff dooohhhh).

I've officially boycotted Penfolds. I'm sure that ripples of my decision are being felt in the corridors of power at Castle Greyskull, but I'm sticking to my guns

Not being Australian, I don't hold Grange in the esteem that some people do. Still, if I was super rich I'd probably buy a few bottles and give them to poor people.

Yep I know what you’re saying and do agree. After the way they treated me with a 02 St Henri Magnum and so many bad experiences by others, I wanted to boycott them too. If everybody genuinely did this I would join in and it would make a difference.

It is just so damn hard when they bring out good wine like 389’s (04, 05) and St Henri (04). These are great wines and although there are alternatives, I still really do like theses wines. Won’t touch anything else though .

Partagas wrote:

Rawshack wrote:

Partagas wrote:By the way, did anybody else experience the sublime wisdom of Fosters group at this tasting?

The game they played before you could touch their beloved G liquid was ridiculous. Everybody was confused and bamboozled to find that as soon as you approached the table you were automatically poured the first wine from right to left then rudely told to move on and line up again. They would then discuss amongst themselves (two blokes) where in the line you were upon returning and proceed to pour you that wine regardless of what you told them you had last tasted. Their aim (????) was to get you to taste the whole Fosters collection before they would let you try Grange (but only single taste at a time). Not only did they not explain this to anybody the first time, it was left up to patrons to work it out by themselves. Have never met a ruder or arrogant rep/taster experience before in my life (gee wiz never would have thought it would come from Penfold’s group).

This was power tripping to the max and irresponsible service of alcohol. Well done Fosters (that said it was bloody good stuff dooohhhh).

I've officially boycotted Penfolds. I'm sure that ripples of my decision are being felt in the corridors of power at Castle Greyskull, but I'm sticking to my guns

Not being Australian, I don't hold Grange in the esteem that some people do. Still, if I was super rich I'd probably buy a few bottles and give them to poor people.

Yep I know what you’re saying and do agree. After the way they treated me with a 02 St Henri Magnum and so many bad experiences by others, I wanted to boycott them too. If everybody genuinely did this I would join in and it would make a difference.

It is just so damn hard when they bring out good wine like 389’s (04, 05) and St Henri (04). These are great wines and although there are alternatives, I still really do like theses wines. Won’t touch anything else though .

Will only take the screwcaps as the after sales service is so poor. Shame they wont move the grange over. The special bins are under screwcap however...

cheers

Carl

Yeah but the problem is I have a bunch of cork still. All 5 of my 2004 St Henri's are cork and 2 out of 4 2005 389's are also. Seems that a certain liquor store down here discounts them but only has cork in stock when they do. Not happy but the prices were too good to miss.

Partagas wrote:By the way, did anybody else experience the sublime wisdom of Fosters group at this tasting?

The game they played before you could touch their beloved G liquid was ridiculous. Everybody was confused and bamboozled to find that as soon as you approached the table you were automatically poured the first wine from right to left then rudely told to move on and line up again. They would then discuss amongst themselves (two blokes) where in the line you were upon returning and proceed to pour you that wine regardless of what you told them you had last tasted. Their aim (????) was to get you to taste the whole Fosters collection before they would let you try Grange (but only single taste at a time). Not only did they not explain this to anybody the first time, it was left up to patrons to work it out by themselves. Have never met a ruder or arrogant rep/taster experience before in my life (gee wiz never would have thought it would come from Penfold’s group).

This was power tripping to the max and irresponsible service of alcohol. Well done Fosters (that said it was bloody good stuff dooohhhh).

That is simply extraordinary!!!

With all that booze on offer, I'm surprised no one told those two w$%#@rs where to shove it!

I know, I know, I am getting old and grumpy...

monghead wrote:

Partagas wrote:By the way, did anybody else experience the sublime wisdom of Fosters group at this tasting?

The game they played before you could touch their beloved G liquid was ridiculous. Everybody was confused and bamboozled to find that as soon as you approached the table you were automatically poured the first wine from right to left then rudely told to move on and line up again. They would then discuss amongst themselves (two blokes) where in the line you were upon returning and proceed to pour you that wine regardless of what you told them you had last tasted. Their aim (????) was to get you to taste the whole Fosters collection before they would let you try Grange (but only single taste at a time). Not only did they not explain this to anybody the first time, it was left up to patrons to work it out by themselves. Have never met a ruder or arrogant rep/taster experience before in my life (gee wiz never would have thought it would come from Penfold’s group).

This was power tripping to the max and irresponsible service of alcohol. Well done Fosters (that said it was bloody good stuff dooohhhh).

That is simply extraordinary!!!

With all that booze on offer, I'm surprised no one told those two w$%#@rs where to shove it!

I know, I know, I am getting old and grumpy...

Perhaps a consequence of the quantities of the various wines allocated to your local outlet based on sales?

Then perhaps the blokes running the show wanted to take home some good stuff themselves without having to pay $500-$600. Serious.

Absolutely Daryl, there were 3 Granges sitting back to start with and not too many people floating around. Reckon only a bottle and half were consumed maximum. Went back there not that long after I tasted it (was still the first bottle) and they were gone.