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