Irregular Update
Sydney Time
Copyright © Ric Einstein 2009
Welcome to this week's Irregular Update which features Chapter Five of the 2008 South Australian Tour Diary but first, a couple of other things.
First a Snippet. When I was in primary telling people I had a secret, and wasn't going to tell them what it was, was a sure fire way way to suck them in. Robert Parker took that to a new level recently and turned it into an art form. His "news" was going to "shake the fine wine world." Well, Parkers Secret is Out now but I just don't geddit! Will you?
My Scam stories have saved a few people getting burnt, which is great.
Today I received an email from a grateful person in the German wine business.
They had been contacted by Maxwells Brown, who wanted to buy some wine,
pay by card, and have it picked up by courier and sent to the UK. The
negotiations were going smoothly until the winery started to smell a dirty,
great big rat .Maxwells wanted them to pay for the freight, to some obscure
freight company, by Western Union transfer. The winery did some internet
research and found my story outlining Maxwells methods. They sent Maxwells
the link. He
responded, "MY GOD!!!
SO SUCH AS BEEN HAPPENING?.WELL I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT MEBUT REALLY
MY BIRTHDAY IS COMING UP AND I DON'T EVEN HAVE TIME TO SEAT AND START SCAMMING
PEOPLE.I SWEAR I AM NOT A SCAMMER,ONLY SOMEONE WHO NEED WINES FORHIS BIRTHDAY."
When I saw this response I laughed. It sounded like a petulant child
yelling and stamping their feet in the supermarket because their mother would
not buy them the chocolate bar they wanted.
Chapter Five is the shortest Chapter in this series. It covers our first 24 hours in Coonawarra. First stop was one of the 'Bissell' wineries, Parker Coonawarra Estate. We then had an appointment at Wynns. As well as tasting some terrific wines, we had a tour of their new "winery within a winery." The dinner that night was something I am unlikely to forget! Ever; ever if I try hard. Hollick has a swish new cellar door and restaurant, as well as a new range of wines. The second 'Bissell' winery on this trip is one of my favourites. Its the 'mother ship' or Bissell home. Balnaves, opened the upcoming new releases for us and they continue to do good things. We also had a long chat with Peter Bissell. The last winery in this Chapter, Penley Estate opened their upcoming releases. They are not only good, they are sensational value. Chapter Five can be found here.
Next week Chapter Six will be out, its just about complete and turned out to be bigger than expected because it contains an excellent "dirty story." Or maybe its a story about dirt!
The News section has picked up a little this week. Stories of interest include...
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Foster's newcomer steps into the breach
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The big squeeze is over and wine can be a good investment if you pick the right company
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Chateau Montelena and Chateau Cos d'Estournel Jointly Announce Proposed Acquisition
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France continues to set the standard for global fine wine production
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Wine 'publicity' on web still illegal in France
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UK Pubs may be forced to to offer smaller glass sizes for wine and spirits
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Wine merger could boost SA marketing
Those stories and more can be found here.
This weeks wine wisdom. Did you know: The world’s most planted grape
varietal is Airén. It occupies over one million acres in central Spain. It is
made into average white wine, and apparently, some respectable brandy.
Until next week .... Cheers Ric
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Copyright © Ric Einstein 2008