There's a record I could listen to over and over again, ess.

As for a wine gathering of FT'ers, here are my thoughts:
[*] Great idea. No, a REALLY great idea.
[*] I actually like the idea of having it in Oz. Ozstamps is correct about the exchange rate... it could be a bargain vacation once you get there. Why not make a nice mileage run out of it, eh?
[*] I would be happy to bring some wines from Virginia's wineries. While not considered "world class", they would make an interesting addition to the tasting.
[*] The sooner we nail down the dates, the sooner we can book flights (discount or award tickets, more upgrade availability, etc.). July or August of 2001 works for me. Maybe this is a perfect reason to book a r/t QF First Class Sleeper Seat award to Oz?
[*] For a location, I would vote for Australia first, California or New Zealand tie for second, ??? third.

cheers, -geo


[This message has been edited by geo1004 (edited 11-02-2000).]

Oregon wines are amazing for sure. Have you Violist or Essxjay ever had something called Chehalem? It is a Pinot Gris from Oregon. I had it once a couple years ago at the Dining Room in San Francisco and it blew me away. Crisp just begins to touch on this one.

As far as Virginia wine, I have never tried it and I will be queuing for a glass in front of your bottle geo1004.

Looks like we are getting close to time to start proposing and narrowing down dates as geo1004 says. July or August are on the table. Any preferences from anyone else?

Can we rule out the following dates?:
a) 22 June-3 July
b) 20 July-1 August
c) 17 August-27 August

I am going to be in ORD and BCN then and will have a tough time if it is in Oz which I would jump at in a heartbeat. If it ends up in Europe or the US I can tack a few days on those trips, but would be pretty keen on Oz if the rest of you are of a like mind.

If we have a small blind tasting, I will sponsor one of the prizes for on of the winners. Ever since reading that Roald Dahl story I love to see a true expert go to it.

As far as a head count it is starting to shape up like this:

dhammer53
svpii
ozstamps
smooth
Gaucho100K (depending on the timing)
violist (depending on the timing)
essxjay
bbinchi
geo1004
mjm

geordie6 and Law Lord, are you up for a bit of bacchanalian fun also?

Okay so we are in double figures already, That requires us to give Randy an invite also.

Randy...?

Ahem,...and how about you Rudi? Its not an FT gathering without you. Kommst du mit deiner Frau und ein paar Flaschen?

Mike

Count me in. Not sure what I will be packing yet, maybe some Chablis / Rhone Varietals...

geo1004's vote: Australia, July 8-15, 2001

Perhaps the Main Event tastings the weekend of the 13th - 15th?

I was trying to arrange a tasting in Vegas for early next year (late Jan or Feb). Check out
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum95/HTML/000678.html

dates still open...

Sorry guys - as much as I'd love to visit the land down under, I could neither afford the time nor the tickets to go to AKL ... foiled once again from a FT-do!

I also will cast an early vote for the week of July 8-15 with the 13-15 being a good main event time. Australia is nosing into an early lead here it appears. Starting to sound better and better to me all the time I must admit.

Head Count so far:

dhammer53
svpii (depending on the location)
ozstamps
smooth
Gaucho100K (depending on the timing)
violist (depending on the timing)
essxjay
bbinchi
geo1004
mizu
mjm

[This message has been edited by mjm (edited 11-02-2000).]

If I am not busy, I'll be there in a heartbeat, anywhere in the world.

My first choice would be France;
Second choice Napa Valley;
3rd choice, Oregon; and
4th choice, Australia.

(Sorry, Oz, it's just that Australian wines, while extremely good, are so new and scientific, whereas the French are sooooooooooooo romantic.)

Ahhh, but Punki, let me state for the record, I would rather split a warm Budweiser beer with you than a bottle of vintage Krug with a boring stranger.



[This message has been edited by geo1004 (edited 11-02-2000).]

I can't speak for your time svpii, but the US Airways 95,000 mile award for a roundtrip Business Class ticket on Qantas from Hickory-CLT-LAX-SYD is one of the best buys out there in mileage award land, IMHO.

I can't tell anything for sure yet, but there is a [\b] slight [\b] possibility that I'm down under next July, and if I can make it I've got some good ones from Burgundy as well as maybe a Swiss or two...

Add me to the list of the interested.

I'm in. Anywhere, but if the intent is to get as many people as possible to participate, Punki's idea of France would be best from a cost/availability viewpoint. My second choice would be NZ/OZ.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE PLANNING ON ATTENDTING THE OREGON BREW FEST THE WEEKEND OF JULY 28, 2001. IT WOULD BE PRUDENT TO SCHEDULE THIS AS FAR AS POSSIBLE FROM THAT DATE.
Ed

I'm in. Anywhere, but if the intent is to get as many people as possible to participate, Punki's idea of France would be best from a cost/availability viewpoint. My second choice would be NZ/OZ.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE PLANNING ON ATTENDTING THE OREGON BREW FEST IN PDX THE WEEKEND OF JULY 28, 2001. IT WOULD BE PRUDENT TO SCHEDULE THIS AS FAR AS POSSIBLE FROM THAT DATE.
Ed

MJM, I would cheerfully participate, most readily in Britain or France as I can talk Mrs. Law Lord into joining me. Any time that isn't June (20 year college reunion) is good. The British don't make decentwine themselves, but they're good at assembling the top picks from the rest of the world.

(Sorry, Oz, I can't get her to go to Aus or NZ with me.)

------------------
"If you want to win the game, write the rules."