Tractor Oil

WoW ventured south for January, hitting Mornignton Peninsula on what was a lovely Wednesday afternoon. A couple of the boys and I hit out a morning game of golf and then Ten Minutes by Tractor for a long late lunch. Truly excellent food and wine in a quaint, slightly understated setting. Although the restaurant has an extensive wine list (with options from all over the world), we stuck with a drop from the winery at hand and just had the one bottle - 2007 Ten Minutes by Tractor McCutcheon Vineyard Pinot Noir - very smooth (a red that played both big and small, which suited perfectly the meal we each had). Definitely one to check out if you're ever in the area. I needn't say anymore.

2012: To Women and Song

Borrowing the words of Hugh Johnson, prolific wine writer, in his book "The Story of Wine" I wish you a happy new year. WoW went distinctly missing there in the second half of last year. Let's call it a hiatus and shall we approach this year with ever more vigour and gusto, well, kind of. The thinking with Wine on Wednesday this year is for it to be a little bit more laid back than it has been (if that's possible), understated and unassuming, whilst still remembering the reason for it initially - simply honouring the ritual that is an honest wine on Wednesday with a mate. Cheers to that.

WoW's first hit-out in 2012 will be on the Mornington Peninsula next week. Pinot Noir country and I can't think of a better place to welcome WoW back. Looking forward to having a wine with you at some stage over the course of the year.

3 4 5

Last Wednesday was excellent. Exactly as WoW was intended. Later on, on a Wednesday, after work is done for the day, five people happened upon a great little basement bar serving wine and food to enjoy a quiet sip and chat. Hope you can join us next time.

Brisbane Supper Club Wine Boutique is certainly one to try. Out of the way, it's a fantastic little space down the stairs. Although not a huge number of patrons last week, it's not big so will fill up (in fact their wine tasting this week has 60 people going... that's busy). Regarding their wines - we tried the Mornington Pinot Noir, Ocean Eight (from those who brought us Kooyong), just received in that day. Not bad. Then, a Malbec from Mendoza in Argentina in aid of an upcoming trip to South America. Solid also. We finished with the best? It was a lovely, smooth, chocolatey aptly named Undercover Shiraz from McLaren Vale by Petaringa - a solid drinking and value wine. All, the perfect warming reds on a winter's night and lubricated conversation just enough - three bottles between five people seemed the perfect storm in fact. As for the food, unluckily the kitchen was closed, but the menu read very well, and the bruschetta and bread and olive oil and caramelised balsamic we convinced Sheldon to give us was superb.

Reds

Reds are synonmous with winter, and in Queensland it seems there's no exception. Not only is the local super rugby team performing, the nights are cold and require a winter warmer. So, with no State of Origin next week (22 June), if you're looking for a tipple, WoW is going to try out the Brisbane Supper Club Wine Boutique.

As ever, a few things are up in the air: I haven't been able to make a booking as yet; I have a late meeting that night so could be delayed getting there; and we potentially have international guests in attendance (Prue and Chuck if they don't sneak away to Melbourne beforehand). Not to worry, we'll have a wine regardless.

WoW has turned in to a quarterly affair it seems (going on recent form), so I perhaps ever so slightly more keenly look forward to this one next week. See you there I hope. 22 June, head to Macrossan Street in Brisbane City, around 7:30/8pm.

Cheers

Tuesday is the new Wednesday? Not WoW

It feels that way a little of late - I have found myself out on Tuesday nights sipping wines (and other drinks). It seems this has cannibalised the tradition that is Wine on Wednesday. So, back to task, let's enjoy some wines on a Wednesday soon - 22 June 2011 is the date I'm thinking for this next, so if you and/or others are keen, please come along. Venue to be confirmed.

Anto

Cru for Two

Fresh-faced on the wine front after a last minute trip to McLaren Vale (which was excellent) the weekend before, I headed to Cru Bar + Cellar with my brother for a wine on Wednesday, 30 March. This place, a Brisbane institution by most accounts, has eluded me to date (I think I've stopped in there for one beer once before). It seems it was the same for Jono, my brother, having never been. In any case, I've been keen to test their wine list as it is award-winining. Yes, Cru was Queensland state winner in Australia's Wine List of the Year Awards for 2009.

It was good too. It seems there is sufficient emphasis on the cellar part of the business. We had a Hollick, Cab Sav Merlot from Coonawarra (South Australia) in a half bottle. Glad to continue the South Australian theme, this one was soft and smooth in the mouth for those juicy red grape varieties. The 375mls was a great way to do it too... for two.

McLaren Vale