Throw back to December 11, 2016.
Until 2015 we drank Australian wine almost exclusively.
It was the only wine we knew and understood. Regions were familiar, wines labelled by grape variety, there was enough to wade through without it becoming tedious.
I would read comments on the various forums about wines from overseas, I would start reading and become overwhelmed, not just understanding the regions, naming, appellations and crus of Old World wines, but the pricing was intimidating.
We relocated to Melbourne in 2014 and I decided it was time to spread our wine wings. I had been reading the virtues of Burgundy for years. This is where I started.
I threw a call out to some of the Burgundy drinkers on a local forum, the response was immediate. With several experienced Burgundy drinkers who were already part of other wine tasting groups, we limited the number to nine and within a week we had a waiting list. The Melbourne Burgundy Social Club (MSBC) was formed.
For two years we met every three months, tasted Burgundy blind on various themes. I made lifelong friends and learnt an incredible amount from this Club.
Shell was the only female member, the only way I could imagine this working. She held court like royalty on these nights, always stunning. She also developed one of the best palates and noses I have seen. Many times she has described the wine on tasting and I have been able to pick commune.
This was a farewell dinner the MBSC threw for us before we relocated to Malaysia.
The theme was Burgundy Grand Crus. The wines were amazing and the company fantastic. I learnt so much in these two years.
