March 26th, Clare Valley, Day 2:
Up at 7:30am, a lazy sleep-in to have a fab breakfast of sausages and scrambled eggs, hot cross buns and toast, java/tea. After doing dishes while gang read the morning papers, we decided to ride the Riesling Trail. Flamin' walked up to Reception and learned we could rent bikes for half a day, $20/four hours. Sarge drove Cora Lee into town so she could explore and shop. By the time he was back we were almost ready to go. Ironically, we had all left our padded cycling shorts and gloves in Adelaide! This being the case, I "layered", putting on a pair of briefs under my swim suit, then another pair of loose, light shorts. Bikes were almost brand new and quite comfortable, except that the handlebars were not as high as both Flamin' and I would have liked.
Once we'd adjusted the seat height, we set off, crossing the highway just outside the entrance to the caravan park to gain access to the Riesling Trail itself. Most pleasant ride, to Auburn, 21K south of where we started. On the track bed of a former railway, it runs through vineyards and fields of sheep and/or cows. Crossed a number of country lanes with posted signs indicating distances to varies wineries. Most of the grade is downhill so we whizzed along, happy as larks to be riding through such picturesque countryside, under such marvellous conditions, few clouds in blue sky and cool, refreshing breeze.
Just ten minutes and an hour later we were in Auburn. Stopped at the IGA there for water for F/S, lemon-lime soda for me. Back out of town, making for Clare, Grade more of an issue now, probably 5% between Auburn, Leasingham and Watervale, slightly less, 2-3 percent, between Watervale and Penwortham. Then a bit steeper as we climbed between attractive, narrow rock cuts, (Needling Flamin' that Brown snakes would be sunning themselves on the large flat surfaces, warmed by the sun, ready to leap onto her as she rode past! She is always on about snakes and spiders so we are helping her overcome her hysteria, Dear Reader!), towards Sevenhill, the crest, then leveling off, with a slight downhill to CCP. To make matters more difficult, we were fighting the dreaded head wind all the way back, shades of riding to Iona, Dear Peleton Riders of the Purple Outback!
Continued on into Clare itself, pulling up in front of Wild Saffron where Flamin' was intent on a latte, a la Ragin' and Jim Brownlee! Bad enough that my feet had already touched the ground twice already so I said goodbye and made for Wendouree Road on the off chance that there might be someone about a the "Appointment Only" winery there. No such luck so I snapped a few pics and then returned to CCP. Home with 50.33K on the mental odometre, Dear Reader, with additional dipsy doodle to winery, (48K roundtrip Clare to Auburn), to find gang already in pool, Sarge slugging back a Knapp!
More than a refreshing dip, pool was chilly at first, and then a quick change into dry togs and then to Seven Hills, originally a Jesuit monastery:
2008 St Aloysius Riesling, 12.5%, $29.
2011 Inigo Riesling, 11.5%, $19
2009 Inigo Semillon, 12.5%, $19
2011 Inigo Chenin Blanc, 12.5%, $19
2010 Inigo Verdelho, 13.0%,that'shere
2010 Four Buckets, (Shiraz, Touriga, Grenache), 15%, $15.95
2010 College Red, (Touriga, Shiraz), $12
2010 Inigo Barbera, 13.5%, $19
2010 Inigo Merlot, 14.5%, $19
2009 Inigo Shiraz, 15.5%, $19
2010 Inigo Cabernet Sauvignon, 15%, $19
Liqueur Verdelho, 500ml, $19
Liqueur Tokay, 500ml, $19
Jesuit Fine Old Tawny, 500ml, $19
I took the 2010 Four Buckets blend as it is remarkable value and perfect for Trevor's coming 65th birthday gathering. On to Paulett Wines, down the same road we'd first been on in 1991 when we visited Martindale Hall, the magnificent Georgian-style mansion, circa 1880, featured as the school in Picnic at Hanging Rock.(The actual rock formation is fairly close to where we stayed near Bendigo and we had a picnic there in 2006!), a winery we'd not tasted at before. According to James Halliday their 2005 Riesling is the best Riesling in the world! At any rate, gorgeous view over the Polish, (Settled by Poles in the 1850's or so, hence the name.), River Valley.
Chatted with the wife of the winemaker, the original owners, as we tasted and she passed along many interesting facts about the area as we sipped:
2011 Polish Hill River Riesling, 11%, $22
2010 Antonina Riesling, 12%, $45
2011 PHR Sauvignon Blanc, 11%, $22
2011 Stone Cutting Chardonnay, unoaked, 12%, $10
2006 Stone Cutting Red Blend, 13.5%, $10
2007 PHR Cabernet Merlot, 14.9%, $24
2008 PHR Shiraz, 14%, $24
2007 Andreas Shiraz, 14.5%, $60
I took the PHR Shiraz as I was delighted by the peppery finish. Not a real fan of aged Rieslings so Mr Halliday's accolades were lost on me. Last stop intended to visit Crabtree, (It was going on 4:30pm and most wineries close at 5:00pm), nearbye, but missed turn to end up at Claymore. Best mistake we ever made, Dear Reader. "Trying to make the right mistake", says Robbie Roberston and we all agree.
Line -up poured by a lively woman, Chrissy Van der Jude:
Joshua Tree Clare Valley Riesling, 2011, $18, 12.8%
Purple Rain Sauvignon Blanc, 2011, $18,
Lucille Late Harvest Riesling, 2001, $18,
Whole Lotta Love Rose, 2011, (Clare Valley Grenache/Shiraz), $18, 14.0%
You'll Never Walk Alone, 2009, (Clare Valley Grenache, Mataro, Shiraz), $18, 14.5%
London Calling Merlot, 2009, $20,
Holy Grail Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009, $20, 14.0%
Walk on the Wild Side Clare Valley Shiraz, 2009, $20, 14.0%
Dark Side of the Moon Clare Valley Shiraz, 2010, $25, 14.8%
Nirvana Clare Valley Reserve Shiraz, 2009, $45, 15.5%
We had more than a blast. This was one of those times when serendipty really comes into play. Would probably not have stopped at the winery, given so many to choose from, but having done so, we were rewarded beyond belief. Wines were elegant, complex and fruti forward so much to my particular liking. Cora Lee's foot was tired by time we had done a bit of tasting, (She had walked back to CCP from Clare, about 3K while we were biking.), so she sat in a comfy armchair, foot elevated, and Chrissy came from behind counter to pour her each new tasting as she reclined in more than regal splendour!
We still had a number of bottles to sample and it was already after 5:00pm but Chrissy wasn't fussed at all. We kept right on until the last, Nirvana, was sampled. I bought one and Flamin' opted for the Dark Side. Cora Lee said their thanks and goodbyes and made for the car. Just as we were about to leave,
Chrissy stoppe dus and asked if we'd like to take the opened bottles. Couldn't believe our great good fortune as she gave us all the overlefts, (nine bottles, three whites, six reds, all more than half full, many two thirds), of the tasty line-up as we were the last customers of the day and she said she would otherwise pour them out. Sarge and Cora Lee were grizzling about us taking so long but soon changed their turn when we told them what had happened.
Even before Chrissy had presented us with almost a full case of wine, we had invited her for dinner back at CCP. SHe said she might join us for a drink but that she probably wouldn't stay for the meal. At any rate, we thanked her again and headed into Clare. I went into green grocers for salad fixings while The Goils made for the buthcer's for sausages and kekbabs. Sarge turned car around and waited, kerbside. By 6:20apm we were back in our cabin and starting preparations for dinner, toasting each other with the Claymore whites we'd been given.
I was in the proces sof making a tomatoe/bocconcini/basil salad when Chrissy arrived. She and rest of gang sat on deck for a drink of red and then they all repaired to bbq area to cook the meat. I had the spuds and salad ready by the time they had done everything to perfection and we sat down inside. While grilling they had convinced Chrissy to stay for dinner and we enjoyed geting to know her. She is from Adelaide originally and worked for South Australia Tourism, here in the Clare, for a number of years, so she could fiill us in on local politic, etc. She lives about 15K northof Clare where she rents a small house. She rents out her place in Adelaide and makes money as the rents in countryside are far cheaper than in the city,as one might imagine.
She visited Vancouver a number of years ago as one of her sisters was working as a nurse in Emergency at St Paul's. Lovely, lovely lady and she certainly made our time in Clare that much more enjoyable. She has invited us to stay if we ever return and we, of course, have invited her to stay in Vancouver. After we enjoyed the dessert which Teens had sent with us, (Anne's pecan pie and Tina's gluten-free chocolate cake), Chrissy said goodnight and goodbye. It was a working day for her on the morrow and we wanted to head back to Adelaide after breakfast ourselves as we had been invited to Anne's and Don's for dinner that evening. Gang made for bed and I tidied up kitchen while waiitng for bathroom. Managed two chapters of Truth before both Cora Lee and I were ready to turn out light. My leg muscles were pleasingly sore so I was dreaming about The Riesling Trail not long after my head hit pillow!
Pat,
All this wining and dining will give the rest of the peleton a chance when you get back. It does sound like a very good time.
Blossoms starting to come out in Vancouver encouraged by a very pleasant weekend. Sylvia and I managed a very productive weekend in the garden tidying up and seeds and plants set out. Sylvia heard 2 little kids remarking that it looked like a farm but also that it looked very nice.
We had a dinner invitation to the Carters' on Sunday but declined as we both had colds and didn't want to pass the germs along. Perhaps next week.
George and I haven't been able to get our timing right for a ride, so I haven't ridden since you left but back in the gym today for an easy workout and back into tutoring today as schools return after the Spring Break.
Enjoyed Into the Silence and learned a lot from it. Just finished Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand, the story of a top class miler, Louis Zamporini who suffered terribly during war time. Have a look at him on Wiki if you have the time. Born 1917, and still alive in spite of incredible hardships.
A friend from my early years in Hartlepool will be here Wednesday and Thursday en route to Mexico and other friends from Bermuda will also be here Wednesday for dinner. Unfortunately the oven has packed in so we may have to cook on the BBQ if we are not able to get the repairs in time.
Ray
Hi Raymond!
Great to hear from you but sorry to hear about your colds. Trust you are both over them by now. Say hello to Mick and Polly when you next see them. Hope that you are able to ride in next little while. You are right, with all the eating and drinking, I'll be last one climbing Heather! Glad garden is coming along. Sorry we'll miss blssoms. Your books sound fascinating. You can't have much time to read between "farming" and hosting friends! Good luck with oven. Always something to go wrong when you least expect it!
Time to have a bite to eat before Trevor chauffeurs me to pool. If I could get him to swim for me, (but I would get benefit), while I work on the Diaries, that would be best of all possible worlds! Hello to you and Sylvia from gang. Cheers, Patrizzio
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