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The revolving doors swing round in perpetual motion as people of all ages and walks of life enter the hotel tightly clutching bottles. As they take their seats in the waiting room, it is clear the full spectrum of Australian life is assembled; Tradies & Suits, Cork-dorks and Teetotallers, Long-time Collectors and Young Up-Starts given a special bottle for their 21st. Everyone is here to find out if their bottles will pass the ultimate test, The Penfolds Red Wine Re-Corking Clinic. Held once a year in all the capital cities, the Penfolds Wine Clinics give collectors an opportunity to have their older wines inspected and assessed. Novices and enthusiasts alike relish the chance to discuss their wines with a winemaker, gaining insight to the particular quirks and nuances of each wine and vintage.
In the waiting room, there is only the soft murmuring of fellow collectors sharing stories of acquisition; bottles won through a wager, found in the dusty corners of out-of the way bottle shops, or at the back of a cupboard of an eccentric uncle. Like doting parents anxiously awaiting the results of their child’s entrance exam to an esteemed music school, the questions at the back of these collector’s minds are the same. Have they lived up to expectations? Will they perform well on the day? Will all the love & care taken to protect & nurture them prove worthwhile?
The door swings open, a name is called and a middle-aged man with his adult son jump to their feet. They are ushered into the main ballroom with their precious bottles. Once inside, the bottles are lined up on a table, inspected and carefully opened. A winemaker pours a small amount of Penfolds Grange 1990 into a glass & swirls. The results of years of careful cellaring are about to be revealed... The wine is sipped, swirled and spat out.... Tension mounts as the man tries to gauge the reaction of this expert.
A great bottle! - declares the winemaker. Relief floods the face of the man, while his son cracks a wide grin. The winemaker offers them a taste. Finally here is chance to taste this precious bottle that was saved for nearly 20 years. Will it live up to the great expectations placed upon it? The bouquet is complex; with aniseed, pepper, ripe mulberry fruit and chocolate overtones. The palate is lively and full-bodied with immense power, depth and length. The expressions on both men’s faces reveal that their expectations have been greatly surpassed.
The remaining bottles are systematically opened and tasted. All pass clinic and are carefully topped up, gassed, re-corked , given a new Penfolds Red Wine Clinic capsule and a special sticker. The man and his son walk out proudly, receiving congratulations from other collectors still having their wines assessed.It’s time to celebrate!
Others will not so lucky. Some wines will not have survived the ravages of age and will not be given the seal of approval. Yet everyone who attends the Penfold’s Clinic leaves knowing that at least they have an answer.
That special old bottle of Penfolds lying in the cellar might be vinegar or it might be glorious. There is only one way to find out for certain.
Penfolds Red Wine Re-corking Clinics will take place this year across Australia on the following dates:
Adelaide 3rd August * registrations close 26th July
Brisbane 10-11 August
Sydney 17-19 August
Melbourne 8-9 September
Perth 15th September
Registrations are being taken now for this once a year event. If you are interested please register directly with Penfolds on their website, www.penfolds.com or telephone the Customer Relations Team on 1300 651 650
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