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

Mystery Flight

Playing it by ear this WoW, 30 March. Granada it was to be, but alas, it seems there are so many options. A few of us will make the call closer to the time (around 7pm), so if you're interested in a glass tomorrow night, give me a call. At this stage, Cru bar on James Street is looking a solid chance - I've been wanting to check it out in terms of its wine for a while now (it's cellar and wine list are meant to be stellar). We'll see.... as there's another few other ideas I have on my list.

Ant

No Mylarkey

Really thought good things about this bar last week (The Lark, that is). And, apparently, they sell more wine than cocktails, so if you haven't, give it a go Keep an eye out for the nominee, who Lizzie introduced me to - a little bizarre - "Anthony Perry meet Perry Anthony".

 

Otherwise, its an abbreviated wine list on their blackboard, but very good. It does change frequently, so frequently it would seem that the nominee himself was catching up. In any case, the Tasmanian Freychinet Pinot Noir was fantastic. Very smooth.

On another note, I'm always scared of Alsace for sweet Reislings, but the French Pinot Blanc from Alsace was lovely. Likewise, had a sip of the Hunter Semillon Mitch chose - very good. Had some character, partiuclarly on the nose, but in the end, lovely and soft and balanced.

I'll leave the wanky wine chat there for now.

"Til next time

Frolic with an Old World Bird

The Lark. It's not even 3 years old. It's won one thousand awards. It's brought to us by the guy behind Bowery Bar and Lychee Lounge. And yes, while it prides itself on its cocktails, it also does wine. In fact they run an appreciation society.... or is that just for whisky? They don't give much away - the wine list is seasonal, changing so frequently, the chalkboard in the bar is the only place to find out about the fine wine they offer. So, next Wednesday, 2 March, from 7:30pm, let's have a look.

Address is 1/267 Given Terrace, Paddington

See you there any old how. Bus, walk or bike if you can.

Ant

February: the short month

It seems this month is fast getting away from us, or at least me. With only 28 days we might miss out on a WoW. So, next Wednesday, 2 March, let's catch up for a wine. Details to come.

In the meantime, I'll comment on the pleasant Australia Day afternoon at Sardine Tin. An eerie calmness. The sun out. Everyone seemingly still reeling from the flood and making the most of taking it easy on the mid-week public holiday. How good. And so, it was nice to call in there for a couple of quiet Aussie wines - red and white. They have a great little wine list actually. Not very big, but good variety. Nice drops. The food, I don't think, is as good. But, I did enjoy their namesake - the sardines were excellent. Solid little Brissie wine bar.

Talk soon

Australia and Wine v Beer

Hi to all in 2011. I thought I'd start us off on a good foot with the following article suggesting that, as a nation, we're appreciating our wines more than simply being beer drinkers...

http://www.smh.com.au/executive-style/top-drop/wine-takes-hold-as-beer-gets-coldie-shoulder-20110118-19vd1.html

there you go ...which leads nicely in to where we'll start this year - Australia Day. In the spirit, and particularly after last week's events, the plan is to keep it rather casual and relaxed. So, on Wednesday, 26 January, I'd encourage all to join and toast the day with at least one Australian wine from the list. Where? I thought Sardine Tin - a little local over on Little Stanley Street at Southbank - might be just the right venue for this type of enjoyment.

http://sardinetin.com.au/

Rach and I will aim to get there before the sun goes down so we can have some time in the afternoon light. Hope to see you there.