Interesting and funny fact...

In 1965, the members of the Stock Exchange Club of Adelaide dined at the South Australian Hotel. The guest of honour was Sir Robert Menzies. During his speech, Sir Robert declared the 1961 Yalumba Galway Vintage Special Reserve Claret, "to be one of the finest Australian wines I have ever tasted".

In April 1987, Yalumba harvested the first grapes from a Coonawarra vineyard known as the Menzies block... hence the release of "The Menzies" Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon on the 15th May 1990.

But... we find this amusing as the Dead Reds Five winner was in fact the 1958 version of Yalumba Galway Claret... on a road to bigger and better things and certainly not dead yet (ie to be named after Menzies).

We'd like to thank Robert Hill Smith, from the The Yalumba Wine Company himself for this little gem of information via Bunty the winner with the '58 - taaaa :))

xc

PS I hear from Bunty she has an even better dead ready to share in the new year... I'm thinking the competition will be fierce next year!!!

Dead Reds Wake 5 went OFF

Dead Reds Wake 5 went OFF on Friday nite at the Royal Hotel in Kent Town. Literally!! We had way too many dead bottles of wine to choose from. That said, nothing (and I mean NOTHING) beat the 1958 Yalumba Claret (big thanks to Bunty & Michael for unearthing this little gem). It was simply disgusting. And so bad was the colour and smell, that no one would put it near their lips!!

Scott Collett from the Woodstock Winery totally agreed. His own not coming even close to being dead!!

Personal thanks to Bruce for stepping in as MC (in Steve's absence) and Jim for his judging efforts again. Thank you to Dana and Stephen for their fotos, to make us all laugh. If you haven't found them yet - they are here [Stephen's: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2023458&id=1608354735 ] [Dana's: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=108048&id=683547357] [Charlie's: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2023458&id=1608354735 ]

Big big thanks to YOU, the deaders group. You are simply the best vintage of them all. Without your support and dedication to this fun different concept for a wine group, it wouldn't be here today. Its now larger than life and the events are enjoyed by many. I've had requests from all over to copy the theme and replicate the events. Happy to help with ideas if you want to hold something local to you.

I'm taking a break til next year... so stay tuned for Wake 6 news in January 2010.

In the meantime please continue to support the Heart Foundation and all our wine sponsors. It means a lot to all of us.

"Drink Red with Heart and Celebrate Life : Drink Red with Heart and Be A Part"

http://www.everydayhero.com.au/deadreds

Special Announcement - Dead Reds Wake 5

Dead Reads Wine Group is proud to announce that Scott Collett from the family owned, Woodstock Winery and Coterie, has kindly agreed to sponsor Wake 5.

Scott is a well known local identity and is one of the state's best wine makers with a swag of awards under his belt. As well as great wines, Woodstock's Coterie Restaurant recently won the "Best Restaurant in a Winery" at the 2009 Restaurant and Catering Awards.

To his credit, Scott is also one of a talented group of passionate South Australian winemakers that create the Heartland label.

Scott will be registering his own red for judging. This certainly puts the pressure on our member group. So, what red are you bringing???? Dead??? Hmmmmm. I think not!

We look forward to seeing you there, as this promises to be one of the best Wakes yet.

Please do your bit by supporting Woodstock Winery and have a looksee at their website. You can read the gossip about Pink's recent visit to the Winery and how she fell in love whilst there..... Also, if you're in need of a fabulous wine and a lovely meal, the Coterie is open for lunch 7 days a week and for functions anytime you like.

http://www.woodstockwine.com.au/

Thanks to Scott for his support towards the National Heart Foundation and Dead Reds Wine Group.

See you all this coming friday at the Royal Hotel in Kent Town xc

PS we will be raffling a Magnum of Stocks (etc) on the night, so please bring a few extra dollars along as it all goes to a good cause :)

Dead Reds, Wake Five

Image by Kim Bach via Flickr

The Dead Reds Wine Group was formed to celebrate and send off, in appropriate style, older wines from our cellars. These are wines we may have been keeping for that special occasion... but we’ve perhaps now also kept a little too long? These are wines that are ten years or older and may have traveled a far bumpier harder road than others. Such wine that might still be a corker, or just simply “corked”?

These events encourage you to bring along such a bottle to share with fellow wine hoarders for an adventurous evening of wine tasting. Some turn out sublime, some vinegar. But that’s what the night is all about. Wakes are evenings of sensory highs and lows, animated conversation and a lot of laughs.

• Friday 4th September 2009
• Evening commences at 7pm (concludes 9pm)
• To be held at the Royal Hotel in Kent Town (front VIP area)
• Complimentary glass on arrival
• Guests encounter a $20 entry fee (no freeloaders)
• Everyone is encouraged to enter a bottle
• Bottles entered for judging encounter a $10 entry fee
• Bottles entered must be 10yrs or older
• All are encouraged to help with judging
• No responsibility is accepted for poor tastings whatsoever
• All proceeds after expenses are donated to the Heart Foundation
• All are encouraged to remain for the after parteee

The groups beginnings
On the eve of a special dinner party, which was to boast a Penfolds Grange, the challenge was set to find a wine that could match such a pedigree. Alas, all the “special” old wines in the cellar were too old to risk. And that’s when the seed was planted for a special night dedicated to brave wine tasting – to boldly drink what should have already been boldy drunk! The idea was shared on Facebook and the Dead Reds Wine Group now has nearly 400 members with quarterly events, called “Wakes”.

The Dead Red Wake Celebrates Old Wine In Style
Please RSVP
Charlie Helen Robinson
0418811703
charlie@charliedesign.net.au

well live up to expectations it did.

nothing dead about the long room @ chateau tanunda (not that we thought that anyway). the hospitality of John, Matt and the staff was excellent. so good in fact we have said we will go back next year for an annual style event there (seriously).

have to say thanks for sharing the Château Tanunda 2009 Barossa Tower Pinot Grigio with us - it had just scored a nice 90 points.. and was very tasty :)

the winner of the "dead" was no other than Mr Paul Prince with a bottle of Basedows Claret Vintage 1975 (kindly donated or sponsored by Doug Lehman... so do we have some real challengers in our midst??).

thanks to everyone who traveled up, spent the nite, enjoyed the countryside over the weekend... brought friends from the valley and generally had a good time. it's true we had a smaller crowd (40) like the launch last year - but having said that the noise and fun generated was equally as good as any of the events we have run...

true to our word the profit from the evening will go to the Heart Foundation. at this stage that sits at $300.

my personal thanks to Matt and Jim for judging (i think they enjoyed the job at hand immensely)... Steve for his expert MC'ng and videos (not sure how much of that will turn out tho mate), Dana for photos, Bruce for his excellent role as door bitch and Maria for helping set up and just being there.

take care, drink sensibly, see ya at the next dead event!!
xcharlie

ps big thanks to the tanunda clubhouse for putting up with our after party too... we let our hair down :)

Dead Reds in the Barossa... (event sponsor)

Mick’s Maille is a jewellery company formed to bring the art of Chainmaille into modern times. They will be joining us for Dead Reds in the Barossa.

The art of Chainmaille has been around for centuries. Originally it was designed to protect a soldier against close combat weapons and many missile attacks, such as arrows and slings. It was designed to be flexible and conform with the combatants movements, yet strong enough to repel blows from these attacks.

Chainmaille is French, meaning Chain Weave. It is made of hundreds of interlocking rings in a chain

Image via Wikipedia

weave pattern. The Chainmaille armour took many months to make and cost a soldier an average of a years wage. It survived as a cheap and effective form of defence, for many centuries during the medieval period.

Today the art of Chainmaille is still around in its original form and is emerging as a current fashion trend (check http://www.eastonpearson.com/ ‘s latest range including a chainmaille jacket).

At Dead Reds Barossa, you will have the opportunity to view some of the beautiful pieces. All pieces can be ordered on the day and some will be available for purchase. Once you own your own Mick’s Maille piece, we are certain it will become a wonderful talking point amongst your friends and family.

http://www.micksmaille.com/

When Red Wine Attacks

When Red Wine Attacks, originally uploaded by Ross Culshaw.

Original post by photographer goes:

"So my good friend chris and I met up today and shot some wine glasses and liquid......I've seen shots like this done before using tilting tables and longer exposures but we went for the basic approach of shoving the glass into shot and hoping.....

This is sooc, i used PS just for cropping.

F42 left, snooted and fired at the background @ 1/32
Uploaded by Ross Culshaw on 4 Jul 09, 7.52AM CST. "

I've asked them to add it to our Flickr Photography group here:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/1007846@N20/

xc

Drink Red with Heart and Celebrate Life

As you know the Dead Reds Wine Group has never been about making money for itself. In fact all proceeds from Wakes after expenses (if there is any) are donated to a nominated charity of choice. Admittedly, we've had varying successes depending on venue support, caterers and sponsors but we have always hoped to improve what we can contribute over time.

And we will now do so with heart.

It is with great pleasure I announce the Dead Reds Wine Group has chosen the Heart Foundation as it's ongoing charity of choice. With the continuation of all proceeds from wakes after expenses being sent their way.

It's a great synergy for the wine group as the Heart Foundation don't mind a glass of dam good red a day either... they encourage healthy living and are all about lifestyle with a heap of fun events mixed into their own calendar. As an organisation they are active participants in the community with a variety and mix of activities we (as a group) can also get involved with.

And, as they proved recently they'll get behind ours, such as the Wear Red : Drink Red event held at the Universal Wine Bar for "Go Red for Women Day". We had a stellar event with about 40 punters celebrating in style and raising a few dollars.

So, from here on in the group will be about "Drink Red with Heart and Celebrate Life"

To find out more about the Heart Foundation, please visit:

http://www.heartfoundation.org.au/Healthy_Living/Pages/default.aspx

Dead Red Wake Celebrates...... Old Wine In Style

Château Tanunda, 'Icon of the Barossa Valley,' is Australia's largest and oldest Château (est. 1890) and is one of Australia's First Growth Châteaus.

Where else but here could we hold the first "dead reds event" in the Barossa?

The Dead Reds Wine Group was formed to celebrate and send off, in appropriate style, older wines from our cellars. These are wines we may have been keeping for that special occasion... but we’ve perhaps now also kept a little too long? These are wines that are ten years or older and may have traveled a far bumpier harder road than others. Such wine that might still be a corker, or just simply “corked”? These events encourage you to bring along such a bottle to share with fellow wine hoarders for an adventurous evening of wine tasting. Some turn out sublime, some vinegar. But that’s what the night is all about. Wakes are evenings of sensory highs and lows, animated conversation and a lot of laughs.

• Friday 31st July 2009
• Evening commences at 7pm (concludes 9pm)
• To be held in the Château Tanunda Long Room
• Complimentary glass of Château Tanunda 2009 Barossa Tower Pinot Grigio on arrival
• Bottles entered for judging encounter a $10 entry fee
• Bottles entered must be 10yrs or older
• Guests encounter a $20 entry fee (no freeloaders)
• Everyone is encouraged to enter a bottle
• All are encouraged to judge
• No responsibility is accepted for poor tastings whatsoever
• All proceeds after expenses are donated to the Heart Foundation
• All are encouraged to continue post judging (approx 9pm) at the Tanunda Clubhouse

The groups beginnings
On the eve of a special dinner party, which was to boast a Penfolds Grange, the challenge was set to find a wine that could match such a pedigree. Alas, all the “special” old wines in the cellar were too old to risk. And that’s when the seed was planted for a special night dedicated to brave wine tasting – to boldly drink what should have already been boldy drunk! The idea was shared on Facebook and the Dead Reds Wine Group now has over 280 members with quarterly events, called “Wakes”.

It’s time to share this concept with the Barossa.

The Dead Red Wake Celebrates Old Wine In Style
Please RSVP
Charlie Helen Robinson
0418811703
charlie@charliedesign.net.au

Here tis the official facebook event :

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=72790552363&ref=share

**if you need help with accommodation, i have some numbers etc in all prices. let me know how you go with your planning.

Dead Reds, Wake in the Barossa

Unearthing the earth...

Château Tanunda, 'Icon of the Barossa Valley,' is Australia's largest and oldest Château (est. 1890) and is one of Australia's First Growth Châteaus.

Where else but here should we hold the first "dead reds" in the Barossa. How appropriate!!

The guys at the Chateau are working with me to make this event very special. You will enjoy an evening of old wine (with your contribution as always included for judging), and you'll experience the excellent hospitality of the Barossa. This event will include the formal wine judging process - as well as a proper "after parteee".

For Adelaide guys: accommodation packages and additional "things to do" will all be coming to you soon... so join the Barossa crowd for this next event!! It will be a classic.

More on FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=72790552363&ref=ts

dead red four wrap up...

hello members,
hey sorry for the delay in the wrap up note from wake 4 event. but here are my ramblings...

each and every event we learn. eg: this past wake we didn't get a really really disgusting dead and people complained (in good humour!). the deadest-red-less event inspired a blog by Andre @ Qwoff. i have challenged him to find something more disgusting (or fantastic) for the next one!!

for the majority we are starting to get things right. we feel more organised and we do get good feedback (thanks!!). however, in making this a group that everyone wants to get involved in - i'm asking for your input. i'm hoping you might like to contribute :)

so, do you have any suggestions??? venues (we can do better and free i'm sure), wine sponsors (wasn't Kirrihill awesome for us this last time), timings (June = winter = port?), and / or charity fundraising on the nite ideas (how can we raise more and still be in theme)?

I would love to hear your ideas... all of them!!

Big thanks for help go to: Tanya, Steve, Jim, Lee, Bruce, Kay, Carlos, Maria, Martin... and me mum LOL

In the meantime... here's a heap of fotos (aside from the Independent Weekly article):

Stephen's album...
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2011494&id=1608354735&ref=mf

Sunday Mail fotos:
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/gallery/0,22613,5038302-5006370-19,00.html

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/gallery/0,22613,5038302-5006370-18,00.html

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/gallery/0,22613,5038302-5006370-17,00.html

............. aren't we a bunch of fun beautiful people!! til next xxx

How to connect with us

Well, there's a couple of ways...

Through the FaceBook Group: Bring out your dead reds

http://groups.to/deadreds/

Through the FaceBook Wine Club Page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Adelaide-Australia/Dead-Reds-Wine-Group/27082388743

Through the LinkedIn Group: Dead Reds Wine Group

http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1112617

Or by emailing the Founder, Helen (Charlie) Robinson: charlie@charliedesign.net.au or m: 0418 811 703

Day Eighty Two (of the Twitter 365 Project), look @ you

Day Eighty Two, look @ you, originally uploaded by charlierobinson1966.

*dead reds pops up again*

the bottle i hold isn't mine BUT will make an appearance at an event soon :) xc

Seriously good news...

Kirrihill Wines will be sponsoring the Dead Reds Wake 4

Your first welcome wine sample will be a yummy drop courtesy of the wine group... and there will be a few things raffled off as well on the night. All in good cause towards the MS Foundation. Our charity of choice this round.

http://www.kirrihillwines.com.au

Dead Reds Wake 4.... rules

Hi all,
I've had a few emails so thought I'd send a general blanket one... as we have a few newbies coming (and that's awesome!!!)

So, the rules are quite simple really:

a) have fun, b) enjoy yourself, c) meet people and d) taste wine and hopefully find a goodie (or dead one!!)... however also at the door you need to pay $10 if you bring an old bottle of wine (older than 10 years) OR pay $20 to contribute to the nite :)

Your bottle is labeled with your name and entered into the judging / tasting "pool". Your bottle has an official bottle opening ceremony at one of the tables - with you having first taste (it's all fairly casual really). The bottle is then shared... and if it's any good - it's all in to taste. If it's dead, generally it's all in to taste too as people LOVE trying the dead ones (strange I know).

Official judges for the nite are Jim Manning and Lee Ryan.

It's a friendly mob... this is our 4th and so we are all kinda still new to it. Each one gets better but the format is still changing slightly each event - we think we are getting the format down pat now though...!

The official part of the nite goes for about one / half hours, maybe two... with some staying on for a more casual "after party".

I look forward to meeting all the newbies - and catching up with the regulars!!! xc

Introducing: the Nederburg Wine, Edelrood 1986...

Nederburg 1986, originally uploaded by charlierobinson1966.

Have you ever heard of a wine being (Gesertifiseer) Certified before?

If you haven't, you will get to witness, see, smell and maybe even taste the Nederburg Wine, Edelrood from 1986... with another bonus being that the wine is from the Paarl Valley (coastal region), South Africa.

Dead Reds Wake 4 is due to unearth the next round of dead reds in 2 weeks time, Friday 27th March from 7pm. The venue is the Adelaide Bowling Club - in the Adelaide Parklands. Looking forward to catching up with you all again. You know the group/wake rules (and if you don't - please message me).

Take care til then, and enjoy the fringe!!! We caught the BOTOX show the other nite @ Comedy Cellars. AWESOME xx

networking at events

best friends meet for first time, originally uploaded by charlierobinson1966.

it's not just a place to share stories, taste some excellent (and dead) wine... you also get to meet up with new people AND perhaps even network a bit. the event has it all. it's what you make it.

a great nite out xc

remembering deads reds wake 2

DRW2 bottle line up, originally uploaded by charlierobinson1966.

the bottle line up... quite impressive all round really :)

Dead Reds Wake 4 - venue announced

Finally, we can share our next venue... like I said last email, our theme this round is steeped in history. And our venue has a bit of history too.

The Adelaide Bowling Club has been based in the Adelaide Parklands since 1897... gosh... and wouldn't we all like to get our hands on a bottle from back then! However, i doubt we'd find any (LOL).

That said, on the night I am positive there will be stories to be told!! (or MC Steve can make some up for us!!)

Let's have a session that looks at the why the bottle label came into "being".

There have been MANY conversations within the group and at events about the various labels on the bottles presented. I remember fondly one of my own bottles still had the measurements in pints and ounces.

And another from the connawarra (inland) including a ship - it turned out the vineyard owner was previously the captain of one.

Bring and share the stories of these bottles that we open and enjoy - or judge as "dead". xc

PS address details are on the event wall now xxx

PPS spread the word and bring a friend... we're friendly !!

Dead Reds Wake 4 supports MS: what is MS and why should you help.

As you know, last event we raised dollars and donated to Movember and Cancer research. This time round we have selected "MS" as our charity. Here's a special message from the MS Foundation... to us.

http://www.ms.asn.au/default.asp

======================

What is MS and why should you help.

Multiple Sclerosis is a disease that involves the gradual destruction of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) by the bodies own immune system.

MS is the most common neurological condition affecting young Australians with diagnosis occurring in people between the ages of 20 and 40, however in 2007 and 2008 we had diagnosis occur in children as young as 12. The average is that out of every four diagnosis’s 3 will be women.

MS is random in the effect that it can have on a person from almost unnoticeable to very aggressive with a high level of disability. MS is not only physical it is also cognitive; this leads to the need to often re-educate on movements, processes and general tasks.

The impact of MS not only affects the person with the diagnosis but also the family, as they may have to change work and social behaviours to care for their child, partner or in many cases a child will have to provide care to their parent, a responsibility that changes their childhood.

The Society provides low or no cost services to people and families living with MS, the cost of these services equates to approximately one point two million dollars per year. The South Australian Government provide only 4% of our funding, the rest of our income derives from our 6 lotteries that we hold over the year, fund raising events, charity partners and most recently the development of our community fund raising.

Services provided by the Society are occupational therapy, physiotherapy, nursing, social work, counseling, and exercise programs such as hydrotherapy, theravitals and movement classes and rehabilitation.

The Society strives to continue to improve the services and facilities we can offer clients, families and carers to ease the impact on their quality of life.

Donations and support go a long way in assisting with this aim.

Here's the event details again:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=42622196321

Steeped in history. The theme for the next dead red. @Wake 4

There are stories to be told!!

Whilst I'm securing approval for use of our next event venue (needs management approval at their end) this note is to touch base, remind you to pop the date for the next Wake (4) in your diary and start hunting down that bottle from the back of the pantry, nana's house, cellar, favourite bottle shop, or vintage auction (if ya dare share).

Let's have a session that looks at the why the bottle label came into "being". There have been MANY conversations within the group and at events about the various labels on the bottles presented. I remember fondly one of my own bottles still had the measurements in pints and ounces. And another from the connawarra (inland) including a ship - it turned out the vineyard owner was previously the captain of one.

So, let's tell and share the stories of these bottles that we open and enjoy - or judge as "dead".

To follow:

Dead Reds supports the Multiple Sclerosis Australia fund raising efforts this round... more soon...

Wine sponsor suggestions... please let me know if you or one of your contacts would like to be featured at event commencement (approx 6 bottle donation to group). Contact me.

Table monitors... please let me know if you are happy to be one again - or want to join the fun. Table monitors help with bottle opening ceremonies and alert our 2 judges (Miles & Jim) when that special moment happens... IT'S DEAD!!! Contact me.

Chat soon... xc

Day Twenty of the Twitter 365 Project, conversation a plenty

Day Twenty, conversation a plenty, originally uploaded by charlierobinson1966.

and the Dead Reds Wine Group is featured...!

tonight was the first meeting for the year and we focused on ground rules to take it forward. the characters in the back were there to lend a hand...

Here's more about the project:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/twitter365project/

=======================
So crack open that red, give it a tasting and then share the news with the rest of us. How old can that bottle go?

Here's the next event details:

http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/event.php?eid=42622196321

See ya there :) xc