26/03/2010

26/03/2010, originally uploaded by charlierobinson1966.

what do you reckon ? should we crack one tonight?? they are for sale... xc

04/03/2010:: edible365

04/03/2010:: edible365, originally uploaded by charlierobinson1966.

Some things are seriously just meant to be unearthed. And this is no exception. By fluke through my day job i was fortunate enough to travel to Clare and meet a delightful elderly gentleman who after hearing of the wine group and all that it stands for, handed me this gift. he has three dozen more!!!

what a gem. what a celebration it will be once it has been opened. a good life - or a corker? xc

HWY to celebrate life with us...

The highway had always conjured up a “different” images for me. so, when I got a call from Tom (of HWY fame) after posting via the dead reds facebook group that fed out to twitter - that we needed a venue, I was all ears and open BUT....

To be frank, the response was within about ten minutes of my posting. So – all hail to social media working. And all hail to the HWY capatilising on that :)

I met with Tom later that day and secured the deal. I was so happy. And it’s easy to understand why. Firstly, check this image:

Secondly, my 15yr old daughter had been there for a birfday partee the week before (in the function room) with a bunch of other 15-16yr olds and was treated like a princess. Security to escort them to waiting parents cars later at nite displayed just good responsibility from the management and a true willingness to make the event for the youngsters work to everyone’s favour. How many of my friends had said to me that week “your kid is going where?”. It all turned out well.

Thirdly, I know they supported @monnie’s cup cake treats business. Seemed like we were onto a good thing!! As a venue, they obviously cared.

So, like I said – I was all ears. BUT... to be frank, I’m an old chick and grew up when the Highway wasn’t seen in quite the same light. So, I wanted to see it first hand.

I did and can say I was impressed. And I’m not just saying that cause I can or should. I was. Tom met me with a HUGE smile. With Mandy there as well, they showed me through the rooms available, spoke terms and confirmed they WOULD SUPPLY THE GLASSES.

OMG.

Did I just hear right?

A venue was going to supply glasses for my wine tasting function? I had never heard of this before (aside from the lovely Barossa country folk) and we all know the pain I have been through with this problem. Hiring or buying glasses has always eaten into my budget and when I am trying to donate as much as possible to the Heart Foundation well... every little bit helps.

So... the rest is history. I love them. Let’s hope it all goes just as smoothly on the nite – but by the sounds, it will. Let's celebrate :)

Dead Reds Wake Six:: Wear Red, Drink Red, Celebrate Life

Red wine is for drinking, not keeping at the bottom of the wine rack for that special occasion. This group has been formed to celebrate the dead reds in our cellar. We'd like to thank them for their wonderful contribution into our lives. 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?

This will be the first event for 2010 and we have some special things happening for the group that we'd love to share and celebrate with you in such a special venue. Let's get groovy...

Friday 26th March 2010 from 7.30pm
Venue: The Highway

• Complimentary glass on arrival
• $20 entry fee
• Everyone 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

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”?

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 400 members with quarterly events, called “Wakes”.

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.

The Dead Red Wake Celebrates Old Wine In Style

Charlie Helen Robinson
0418811703
charlie@charliedesign.net.au

28/01/2010:: Twitter365

28/01/2010:: Twitter365, originally uploaded by charlierobinson1966.

this is the entrance to the next dead reds event... it's to be held @ the hwy inn on anzac highway!! v.cool place :)) thanks goes to Tom seeing my shout out today on the dead reds facebook wall that ended up on twitter (im @charlierobinson). that ended up with him calling me and us meeting and it all being sweet by tonight!! dont ya just love social media?

i do :)
xc

PS YES a formal blog and invite will be done very very very soon, stay tuned .. love from charlie xx

26/01/2010:: red wine @ mercato's now... and wine tasting

26/01/2010:: red wine @ mercato's now... and wine tasting, originally uploaded by charlierobinson1966.

we mmust check it all out soon xc

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