Quite frankly, this is a group who enjoys their wine.

Tasting it, talking about it, sharing it, laughing over it, learning about it, you name it, we just enjoy it. And there's certainly not a single wine professional amongst us - we're all happy amateurs (although we'll happily listen to anyone who knows what the heck they're talking about!!).

The anticipation of opening that bottle and experiencing the first taste, checking if it's still a glorious beauty or a ghastly beast is something you need to experience. The expression on faces, the anticipation, the cry out when it's a goodie - or a disaster - is hilarious.

Just when one committee member uttered the words that we may not get many more deads (gasp shock horror), out came to the event another four or five from the 1970's (with the top three deadest being amongst them). The rest were scattered through the 80's and 90's. We had over 30 bottles to the event!! And I still think there are more to unearth.

Now, at this particular Wake, thanks go to Marc for bringing along the Steve Maglieri, voted by (judge) Miles Crawley as the nights winner as being best taste, best preserved, best everything. The punters who got to sample it still have stars in their eyes. It was yummy.

The Woodley Burgandy (1970, 1Pint 6FL OZ) simply didn't have the same reaction from the crowd and (judge) Jim Manning agreed. The beautifully aged and tragic bottle had obviously lived a tough life, gone green around the edges and may have enjoyed a more welcome entry into the world if it had been opened in the 70's, when it was made. Alas a lost treasure. Brought to us by Sean, the singing Irishman, who was happy to just have a bottle to take part!! An awesome DEAD RED! A winner.

Stay tuned for the next event. Planned for February 2009!
xc

Photos will be posted to the wall.
Plus, check the new blog: http://deadreds.blogspot.com/

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Big thanks to:
Jim Manning and Miles Crawley as judges

Steve Davis as our MC and roving mike. Love ya style !!!

Committee members on tables:
Karen Foster
Paul Prince
Darren Richards
Michelle Williams
Kay Walker
Lee Ryan
(sob that Steve Thomas couldn't join us)

Dana Malach who did a superb job with the photos on the night.

Bruce Gannon for his expert "Door Bitch" role. We all thought he was serious!! eeek.

The Earl venue
Mercato catering - nom
Willabrand nibbles - nom nom
Steve Davis coffee sampling - nom nom nom

and a special mention to Trevor Cologne (my man) who had to put up with me leading up to then event and did a great job of just being there when needed! He also did a supurb job as video guy on the night though (there's a lot of funny footage we're sorting through).