2012 wine events program

wine appreciation classes

wine masterclasses

winemaker dinners

wine tastings

previous events

MASTERCLASS

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

TUESDAY 28th JULY, 7:30pm - 9:30pm

Private Tasting Room, Dog's Bar

At the end of her extremely successful Wine Course CD, Jancis Robinson looks into the lens of the camera and states plainly and simply, “I have seen the future of wine and it is riesling and cabernet sauvignon.”

The subject of riesling is for another session, on this night we will be investigating what it is about the noble cabernet grape that has such luminaries singing its praise.

At this Masterclass we will taste a range of cabernet-based wines from Australia and overseas. The wines will be tasted in ‘flights’ of three so the whole gamut of the cabernet palate can be assessed and the subtle differences identified and discussed.

Of all the major red grape varieties, cabernet sauvignon translates the regional conditions the best. In warmer climes the richness of the blackberry dominates and in its cool climate guise the essential leafy component comes to the fore.

With our wine guru, Phill Meyer, you can discover the intrigues of one of the greatest of the red varieties.

Tickets available from Dog's Bar - $39pp inc. nine wines, nibbles & knowledge

- call at the bar, Monday - Thursday 4pm - 1am

- Telphone: 8534-3020 (credit card payment by telephone)

- Email: info@dogsbar.com.au

Background

We have been running winemaker dinners, wine appreciation courses and tasting events at Dog's Bar since 2003. Most of our events take place in our private tasting room / private dining room. Our aim is to provide you with interesting and fun ways of learning more about the wine you drink, give you confidence to be more adventurous in your wine selection and hopefully, meet new friends and generally have fun.

Sometime in the dark old days (maybe 2003), I looked around to find a "wine educator". I wanted to provide wine training for my staff (wine suppliers often offer free training but it's focused, for very good reasons, on their own wines) and also to run wine appreciation training for my customer base. Having looked around for somebody I felt would "fit" St Kilda, work with my vision for wine, not be a "wine wa#&er" and importantly have extensive knowledge of wine and be able to train people too!! It didn't take me long to work out that Phill Meyer was that amazing man. Phill has been teaching wine courses for more years than he cares to remember, regularly judges wine shows, consults to a number of companies and organisations and he's a really nice guy too!

In previous years we have run four week wine appreciation courses at introductory, intermediate and advanced levels. We have also run bi-monthly winemaker dinners hosted by some of Australia's great names in wine.This year all our events are being held on Tuesday nights. There will be range of wine events from eduational to just plain fun. Whether you want to learn more about wine tasting, where different wines come from or you just want a fun event where you'll meet some like-minded people on a Tuesday night, we have the evnts for you.To purchase a ticket for one of our events just click on the link next to the event details. You will be transferred to our secure on-line ticket purchasing web-pages.

Attending any of our wine events automatically qualifies you for membership of the "St Kilda Wine Society", and lots of benefits throughout the year.

Tuesday 30th June - Victorian Wine Regions - or taste your way around the State!

Starting at 7:30pm Phill Meyer, one of Melbourne's top wine guru's (we believe the top) will take you on a journey around the State of Victoria, stopping off at about half of the 23 official Victorian wine regions and he will have you back in St Kilda by 10:30pm or so!

By the 1880s, Victoria was Australia’s foremost wine producing colony and the Yarra Valley was the premier wine producing region. In 1889 a Yarra Valley wine made by Hubert de Castella won the ‘Grand Prix’ for the best wine at the Great Exhibition of Paris in 1889.  The French judges could not believe that a British Colonial wine could beat the best from France and insisted on a re-taste. The Yarra Valley wine was confirmed as, indeed, the winner!

In the 21st Century Victoria is second only to South Australia as the nation’s most prolific wine producing state and many argue produces the best table wines in the land. To showcase this, the Dogs Bar, in conjunction with wine expert Phill Meyer, is featuring a ‘Taste of Victoria’. This event will highlight the wine styles for which Victoria has become famous.

In our inaugural tasting we will be looking at the following wines:

• 2008 Plunkett Riesling (Strathbogie Ranges)
• 2008 Outlook Hill Pinot Gris (Yarra Valley)
• 2007 or 08 Kooyong Estate Chardonnay (Mornington Peninsula)
• 2007 or 08 Bass Philip Pinot Noir (Gippsland)
• 2006 Red Edge Shiraz (Heathcote)
• 2007 Pondalowie Tempranillo (Bendigo)
• 2005 Tahbilk Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Nagambie)
• 2002 Stanton and Killeen Vintage Fortified (Rutherglen)

The price for this wonderful event is $39pp members / $49pp non-members and includes a selection of finger food.

We'll pour you approx 1/2 glass of each of 8 wines (approx. 75ml each serve) which means your total consumption if you swallow and don't spit, will be 3/4 bottle (and approx 6 units of alcohol, if you're counting). There will be wine spittoons if you wish to taste rather than consume.

The finger food for this event will be light and if you like a "hearty dinner" you are welcome to have dinner prior to the event. Check out our Starving Artists Pre-Theatre Dinner Menu (5-7pm Monday to Saturdays). If you're hungry after the event, our main menu is still available until 11pm and our supper menu is available after that!

Tuesday 28th July - Masterclass - Cabernet Sauvignon

Tuesday 4th August - One Night Stand - a one-night introduction to wine appreciation

Tuesday 11th August - Raid your own cellar or bring somebody else's!!

Tuesday 18th August - South Australia in one night!

Tuesday 25th August - Winemaker Tasting Event - tbc - 12 wines matched with canapes

Tuesday 1st September - One Night Stand - a one-night introduction to wine appreciation

Tuesday 8th September - Italian Passion - a one night affair with Italian wine regions

Tuesday 15th September - Raid your own cellar or bring somebody else's!!

Tuesday 22nd September - Organic & Bio-dynamic - the future of wine?

Tuesday 29th September - Winemaker Tasting Event - tbc - 12 wines matched with canapes

Tuesday 6th October - One Night Stand - a one-night introduction to wine appreciation

Tuesday 13th October - French Fling - you'll visit a few Chateaux tonight

Tuesday 20th October - Masterclass - Champagnes, Cavas & Sparklings - just in time for Spring Carnival

Tuesday 27th October - Winemaker Tasting Event - tbc - 12 wines matched with canapes

Tuesday 3rd November - Melbourne Cup - take the night off!

Tuesday 10th November - Spanish Wine & Tapas Night - Spain has more hectares under grape than France!!

Tuesday 17th November - Masterclass - Fortified wines & Sherries

Tuesday 24th November - Winemaker Tasting Event - tbc - 12 wines matched with canapes

Tuesday 1st December - One Night Stand - a one-night introduction to wine appreciation for Christmas Parties

We're taking a break until February. 2010 February - April events should be posted by the end of November and gift vouchers are available if you would like to buy somebody a Dogs Bar win event as a present for Christmas

Previous Events that will be re-programmed

Tuesday 30th June - Victorian Wine Regions - or taste your way around the State!

Starting at 7:30pm Phill Meyer, one of Melbourne's top wine guru's (we believe the top) will take you on a journey around the State of Victoria, stopping off at about half of the 23 official Victorian wine regions and he will have you back in St Kilda by 10:30pm or so!

By the 1880s, Victoria was Australia’s foremost wine producing colony and the Yarra Valley was the premier wine producing region. In 1889 a Yarra Valley wine made by Hubert de Castella won the ‘Grand Prix’ for the best wine at the Great Exhibition of Paris in 1889.  The French judges could not believe that a British Colonial wine could beat the best from France and insisted on a re-taste. The Yarra Valley wine was confirmed as, indeed, the winner!

In the 21st Century Victoria is second only to South Australia as the nation’s most prolific wine producing state and many argue produces the best table wines in the land. To showcase this, the Dogs Bar, in conjunction with wine expert Phill Meyer, is featuring a ‘Taste of Victoria’. This event will highlight the wine styles for which Victoria has become famous.

In our inaugural tasting we will be looking at the following wines:

• 2008 Plunkett Riesling (Strathbogie Ranges)
• 2008 Outlook Hill Pinot Gris (Yarra Valley)
• 2007 or 08 Kooyong Estate Chardonnay (Mornington Peninsula)
• 2007 or 08 Bass Philip Pinot Noir (Gippsland)
• 2006 Red Edge Shiraz (Heathcote)
• 2007 Pondalowie Tempranillo (Bendigo)
• 2005 Tahbilk Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Nagambie)
• 2002 Stanton and Killeen Vintage Fortified (Rutherglen)

The price for this wonderful event is $39pp members / $49pp non-members and includes a selection of finger food.

We'll pour you approx 1/2 glass of each of 8 wines (approx. 75ml each serve) which means your total consumption if you swallow and don't spit, will be 3/4 bottle (and approx 6 units of alcohol, if you're counting). There will be wine spittoons if you wish to taste rather than consume.

The finger food for this event will be light and if you like a "hearty dinner" you are welcome to have dinner prior to the event. Check out our Starving Artists Pre-Theatre Dinner Menu (5-7pm Monday to Saturdays). If you're hungry after the event, our main menu is still available until 11pm and our supper menu is available after that!