Cause
Hangovers aren’t just caused by beer, they are caused by everything that surrounds drinking. Food, wine, partying and having a good time are all causes and here at My Aching Head we are slowly documenting having a good time.
Governor-General’s Wine Cellar
A few weeks ago I posted about the Governor-General’s wine cellar. At the time there was very little information at hand other than the article in The Age so I contacted Senator Scott Ryan’s office who has provided the entire list. Here for your viewing the entire list of wine at Government and Admirality House. This cellar is pretty impressive and I would personally be very disappointed if it was sold and not appreciated by the guests of our “head of state”.
The purchase price of the current cellar is $88,067 but I would suggest that the real value is more than twice that. Needless to say, whoever has put this collection together (the previous Governor-Generals) has pretty good taste, or at least pretty expensive taste.
The wines marked with ** have been purchased by the current Governor-General
| Type of wine |
Number on hand |
| Baileys Bundarra Cl Herm 1989 | 12 |
| Bannockburn Shiraz 1996 | 48 |
| Bleasdale Shiraz Cab/Sav 2003 | 6 |
| Bleasdale The Wise One Verdelh | 12 |
| Blue Cutting Rd Cab/Merlot 03 | 9 |
| Brands Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 | 12 |
| Brands Shiraz 1997 | 12 |
| **Brindabella Ries 08** | 7 |
| Brown Bros Banks. Shiraz 1997 | 24 |
| Brown Bros Fam Res Chard 1995 | 3 |
| Brown Bros Graciano 1997 | 9 |
| Brown Bros LH Nob Ries Dess 96 | 6 |
| Brown Bros LH Noble Ries 1998 | 1 |
| Brown Bros Orange Muscat/Flora | 6 |
| Brown Bros Pat Pinot Chard 97 | 12 |
| Brown Bros Pat Shiraz 2000 | 24 |
| Brown Bros Verdelho 1999 | 9 |
| **Chalkers Cross CabSav 06** | 24 |
| Chalkers Crossing Merlot 04 | 4 |
| Charles Cimilky CabSav 1992 | 23 |
| **Clare Vall St John Blanc de B** | 58 |
| Clare Vall Stephen John Blanc | 28 |
| Coldstreams Hills R Chard 1996 | 6 |
| Dalwhinne Shiraz 05 | 12 |
| Dalwhinnie Moonambel Chard 00 | 3 |
| Dalwhinnie P/Noir 2001 | 3 |
| D’Arenb GrenShirMourvedre 1993 | 12 |
| D’Arenberg CabMerl Franc 2002 | 12 |
| **D’Arenberg Ceno CAT 07** | 18 |
| D’Arenberg D’arrys Orig SG05 | 34 |
| D’Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz ’00 | 18 |
| D’Arenberg Fort Shiraz 2000 | 12 |
| D’Arenberg Noble Reisling 95 | 10 |
| D’Arenberg Noble Ries 1998 | 12 |
| D’Arenberg Pepperrm. Pdk Champ | 10 |
| D’Arenberg Shiraz 2000 | 4 |
| D’Arenberg The Stump Jump GSM | 25 |
| **D’Berg Fish Sav Blanc 09** | 24 |
| **D’berg Money Spider Rouss 06** | 24 |
| **D’berg Money Spider Rouss 07** | 12 |
| **D’Berg Noble Riesling 08** | 6 |
| **D’Berg Stump Jump Sticky 08** | 48 |
| Devils Lair Chardonnay 1998 | 36 |
| Elderton Botrytis Semil 2004 | 12 |
| Elderton Botrytis Semillion 02 | 4 |
| Elderton Botrytis Semillion 05 | 3 |
| Elderton Command Shiraz 2001 | 6 |
| Elderton CSM 2001 | 24 |
| Elderton Friends Riesling 05 | 13 |
| Elderton Merlot 2001 | 7 |
| Elderton SB Verdelho 04 | 1 |
| **Fire Block Grenache 03** | 12 |
| **G/Burge Hillcot Merlot 07** | 1 |
| **Geoff Merrill Shiraz Gren Mouv** | 35 |
| Grant Burge H.T GrenShirM 1997 | 23 |
| Grant Burge Mashach Herm 1991 | 12 |
| Grant Burge Meshach Herm 00 | 6 |
| Grant Burge Meshach Herm 1996 | 24 |
| Grant Burge Meshach Herm 1998 | 36 |
| Grant Burge Shad. CabSav 1996 | 24 |
| H/ford Hill Btryt Sem 2004 | 9 |
| Hav Alkoomi Blackbutt Blend 98 | 24 |
| Hav Alkoomi CabSav 2001 | 24 |
| Hav Alkoomi LH Chard 2004 | 12 |
| Hav Alkoomi Shir Viognier 2002 | 12 |
| Hav Edlerton Est Shiraz 2002 | 12 |
| Hav Wil Br Rs CabSav Rose 2003 | 12 |
| Hav Willow Br CabSav 2001 | 24 |
| Hav Willow Br Est Merlot 2001 | 2 |
| Hav Willow Br Res Shiraz 2001 | 10 |
| Henscke Hill of Gr. Shiraz ’94 | 19 |
| Henscke Hill of Gr. Shiraz ’96 | 6 |
| Henscke Hill of Grace Shir 1993 | 2 |
| Henscke Mt Edelstone Shir 1996 | 8 |
| Hungerford Botrytis Sem 2000 | 1 |
| Hungerford Hill Botrytis Sem05 | 26 |
| Ingoldby Cabernet Sauvignon 89 | 12 |
| Jasper Hill G. Padd. Shiraz 93 | 36 |
| Jim Barry The Armagh Shir 1998 | 4 |
| Jim Barry The Armagh Shiraz 96 | 2 |
| Jim Barry The Armagh Shiraz 99 | 36 |
| Kilikanoon Conv Shiraz 2002 | 12 |
| Kilikanoon Oracle Shiraz 2002 | 8 |
| Lindemans H.R Burg. Shiraz ’91 | 24 |
| Lindemans L.R Shiraz Cab 1992 | 24 |
| Longview My Fat Goose SSB 06 | 38 |
| **Longview Red Bucket Shir Ca 07** | 21 |
| **Longview Red Bucket SSB 07** | 8 |
| **Longview Whippet SBlanc 08** | 48 |
| **Majella Musician 07** | 67 |
| Majella Musician 2004 | 26 |
| Majella Musician 2006 | 12 |
| McWilliams Mt Pleas. Shiraz 96 | 24 |
| Miceli Michael Meth/Champ 2001 | 12 |
| Moorilla B/L UnW Chard 03 | 6 |
| Moorilla Botrytis SB 05 | 6 |
| Moorilla Res Pinot Noir 1999 | 6 |
| Moorilla Vintage Brut 2000 | 12 |
| Mount Langi Ghir Shiraz 1990 | 3 |
| Mount Langi Ghiran Ries 1999 | 16 |
| Mount Mary Lilyd Cab 1990 | 4 |
| MSV The Barossa 2005 | 12 |
| Oakridge Res Cab Sauvignon 91 | 5 |
| Old Station Gren/Shiraz 1999 | 8 |
| Parker Estate TRFG Shiraz ’98 | 24 |
| Penfolds Bin 407 CabSav 1990 | 30 |
| Penfolds Bin 707 CabSav 1997 | 24 |
| Penfolds Bin 707 CabSav 1998 | 22 |
| Penfolds Gr Herm 1985 | 17 |
| Penfolds Gr Herm 1986 | 32 |
| Penfolds Gr Herm 1987 | 12 |
| Penfolds Gr Herm 1988 | 8 |
| Penfolds Gr Herm 1989 | 12 |
| Penfolds Gr Herm 1990 | 2 |
| Penfolds Gr Herm 1991 | 6 |
| Penfolds Gr Herm 1992 | 3 |
| Penfolds Gr Herm 1993 | 36 |
| Penfolds Gr Herm 1995 | 30 |
| Penfolds Gr Herm 1996 | 48 |
| Penfolds Gr Herm 1997 | 42 |
| Penfolds Mag.Est Shiraz 1992 | 24 |
| Penfolds Mag.Est Shiraz 1997 | 12 |
| Penfolds Mag.Est Shiraz 1998 | 24 |
| Pepp Tr GR C’Warra CabSav 2000 | 12 |
| Pepper Tree R C’Warra Mer 1998 | 12 |
| Petaluma (Hanlin Hill) Ries 02 | 26 |
| Peter Lehm Ment CabMerSM 1996 | 12 |
| Peter Lehm Ment CabMerSM 1997 | 12 |
| Peter Lehm Stone. Shiraz 1991 | 12 |
| Peter Lehm Stone. Shiraz 1996 | 24 |
| Peter Lehmann Shiraz 1998 | 24 |
| Pirramimma R Petit Verdot 2001 | 24 |
| Pitchfork Cab Shz Mer 2005 | 12 |
| **Pitchfork Sem SB 08** | 36 |
| Polkolbin Lks Foll Cab 1996 | 2 |
| Polkolbin Lks Foll Cab 1998 | 3 |
| Polkolbin Lks Foll Cab 2000 | 12 |
| Redbank Emily NV | 48 |
| Rosemount B.S Shiraz 1995 | 6 |
| Rutherglen Botrytis Musca 05 | 24 |
| Rutherglen Ratafia 2003 | 6 |
| Rutherglen Ratafia Viognier 03 | 1 |
| Rutherglen Shiraz Durif 2006 | 24 |
| Rymeill Merlot Cabernet 2001 | 6 |
| Rymill June Traminer | 1 |
| Rymill Merlot Cabernet 2001 | 15 |
| Sandalford Sandalera | 7 |
| Seagrams Sambucca Liqueur | 2 |
| Shottersbrooke Merlot 2003 | 12 |
| Tatachilla Cab Sauvignon 1999 | 24 |
| Tatachilla F.L Shiraz 1998 | 24 |
| Thomas Hardy C’Warra CabSav 90 | 11 |
| Tyrrells McLaren Merlot 99 | 16 |
| Tyrrells McLaren Shiraz 00 | 24 |
| Tyrrells RH Shiraz 00 | 15 |
| Tyrrells RH Shiraz 98 | 6 |
| Tyrrells Rufus S Merlot 00 | 12 |
| Tyrrells Show Res Cab Sav 1990 | 4 |
| Tyrrells T Block G’traminer 05 | 7 |
| Tyrrells Vat 1 Sem 96 | 3 |
| Tyrrells Vat 1 Semillon 1996 | 24 |
| Tyrrells Vat 1 Semillon 1997 | 1 |
| Tyrrells Vat 47 Chard 00 | 10 |
| Tyrrells Vat 47 Pinot Chard 00 | 1 |
| Tyrrells Vat 47 Pinot Chard 99 | 36 |
| Tyrrells Vat 55 Shiraz Mer 98 | 24 |
| Tyrrells Vat 6 Pinot Noir 1996 | 9 |
| Tyrrells Vat 9 Shiraz 1991 | 23 |
| Tyrrells Vat 9 Shiraz 1995 | 36 |
| Tyrrells Vat 9 Shiraz 1998 | 12 |
| Vasse Felix noble Riesling 00 | 2 |
| Virgin Hills Blends CabShir 88 | 12 |
| Water Wheel Memise Red 06 | 69 |
| **Water Wheel Memsie White 07** | 6 |
| Water Wheel’Memsie’ 2003 | 7 |
| Watermark Cabernet Sauv 2002 | 12 |
| Wellington Iced Reisling 2001 | 6 |
| Wellington Iced Riesling Des. | 1 |
| **West Cape Howe Riesling 08** | 37 |
| **West Cape Howe Rose 08** | 1 |
| **West Cape Howe Sau Blanc 08** | 24 |
| **West Cape Howe SS Blanc 08** | 31 |
| **West Cape Howe Tempranillo 07** | 7 |
| West Cape Howe Viognier 07 | 6 |
| Wilson Leucothea Liq Gew | 1 |
| 375 Wirra PinotGris 2003 | 1 |
| Wirra Wirra Late Picked Pinot | 8 |
| Witchmount Estate Cab. Merl 04 | 12 |
| Wynns Cent. Cab Shiraz 1991 | 24 |
| Wynns C’Warr Ridd Cab Sav 1992 | 3 |
| Wynns C’Warr Ridd Cab Sav 1993 | 13 |
| Wynns C’Warra Cab Sav 1986 | 5 |
| Wynns C’Warra JR CabSav 92 | 6 |
| Wynns C’Warra ridd Cab/Sauv 90 | 7 |
| Yalumba Menzies Cab Sav 1988 | 36 |
| Yalumba Menzies Cab Sav 1992 | 11 |
| Yalumba Menzies Cab Sav 97 | 12 |
| Yalumba Octavius Shiraz 1992 | 11 |
| Yalumba Signat Cab Shiraz 92 | 12 |
| Yalumba Signat Cab Shiraz 97 | 18 |
| Yalumba Signat Cab Shiraz 98 | 24 |
| Yalumba Virgilius Viog 2000 | 10 |
| Yarra Yering D.R Cab Shiraz 88 | 12 |
| Yering Station R Pinot G Botry | 3 |
A Dinner Party Menu
Tomato panna cotta with basil syrup
with Turkey Flat 2008 Barossa Valley Marsanne Vigonier Roussanne and Rolf Binder ‘Christa Rolf’ 2008 Barossa Valley Semillon
Prawns and Pipis in a light paella style sauce and sourdough bread
with Kooyong Estate ‘Massale’ 2008 Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir, Te Kairanga 2008 Martinborough Pinot Noir and Innocent Bystander 2008 Yarra Valley Pinot Noir.
Olive and rosemary encrusted lamb rack served wtih kipfler potatoes, peas, asparagus and broccoli greens
with Allies 2009 Heathcote Shiraz and Negoce 2007 Heathcote Shiraz.
Warm rhubarb and strawberry pie
You should follow me on Twitter.Spanish Style Pasta Sauce Recipe
I’m a pasta fiend. It’s my go to meal, a bit like a pizza I don’t care it’s vegetarian, meat lover, bolognese or in this case spanish style. This was a really quick light lunch – a lazy man’s paella. I was also trying to use up a heap of home-grown tomatoes, but you could easily replace with whole-tinned tomatoes.
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- 1/2kg quartered tomatoes
- 1 hot chorizo
- 2 roughly chopped cloves garlic
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- pinch of saffron
- salt
- pepper
- 300gm pasta – preferrably tubes, spirals or shells
- parmesan
Method
Slice the chorizo and fry it in a good amount of olive oil. Add the garlic and when it is fragrant, add the tomatoes and cook until they are soft. Mash them with the back of your spoon and add the paprika, saffron, salt, pepper and the stock. Put the pasta on to cook. Stir the sauce and cook on medium heat. When the pasta is al dente, strain and add to the sauce and cook for a few minutes.
Serve and drizzle with a bit of extra virgin and a small sprinkling of parmesan cheese.
You should follow me on Twitter.Hidden Pizza Restaurant, Fitzroy
They want you to check out the Yellow Pages to find out where the Hidden Pizza Restaurant is, but personally I’d just go over and get the scoop from Brian at Fitzroyalty. A quick picture and a Mellie putting 2 and 2 together and we have the answer. This is a lesson to us all, if there is something interesting happening over in Fitzroy, Brian will know.
Update: You need to call 1300 615 786 and you’ll get an order number. They won’t serve you without it. A few photos are emerging, check them out here and here.
Another update: Berry travels has a blogpost about the whole experience. I can’t help but think we are going to hear more about this place.
Final update: This restaurant was only open for 2 weeks and is now closed.
You should follow me on Twitter.Vinography in Australia
One of my favourite wine bloggers, Alder Yarrow, is currently in Australia checking out a few of our wine regions (the trip is sponsored by Wine Australia and Tourism Australia). I’ve long been a fan of his writing, the focus on people and place is something I believe is sorely missing in the traditional wine media and I’m really excited that it is Australia’s turn. From his Twitter account and inital post, it seems he started in the Yarra Valley, has been to Heathcote, Beechworth, King Valley, Mclaren Vale and is now in the Barossa Valley.
If you are interested in his adventures in Australian wine, I will keep the following list up to date.
- Yarra Yering (my favourite Yarra Valley wines)
- Castagna Winery – Beechworth
- Artisans of the Barossa Valley
Confused Governor General doesn’t know what to do with Wine
Update: I have just published the full list of wine in the Governor General’s wine cellar.
An article in The Age today discusses the problem that Governor General Quentin Bryce (who doesn’t drink often) and her teetotalling husband have with their inheritance of a pretty amazing wine cellar. The article suggests that they are thinking about selling it, donating some of it to charity or something else. They also don’t want to serve it to guests because they don’t want to be seen to be extravagant.
Personally, I don’t see the problem here. Let me put it this way. Wine is meant to be drunk. If you don’t want to serve a nice bottle of wine to your guests then don’t. You are only going to come across looking cheap and promoting the idea to your international guests that Australian wine is cheap and shit. Doesn’t sound like something most people would do, given the choice.
This wine isn’t going to go bad, in fact it’s only going to get better. It’s not yours to sell, but it is yours to drink. Stop whinging like a kid that can’t spend your inheritance fast enough. Either enjoy it, or leave it for the next person.
Abbotsford Farmers Market tomorrow
The monthly Abbotsford Farmers Market is on tomorrow at the Abbotsford Convent (and the Collingwood Children’s Farm). I know the produce is great (especially the dude that sells vac packed meat) and I do I find it entertaining watching all the 30 something new parent’s wearing their ultra cool colourful sneakers but it’s a bit far across town to make the trip that early. There are however a few foodie types going pretty early (around 9:30).