The Oak Barrel Wine Education Course Special - $69 (normally $149)

Course Highlights:

• Two and a Half Hour Course run by an experienced wine expert from The Oak Barrel
• Hear about the history of wine and the different grape varieties and regions around the world
• Learn how to smell & taste wines using a special aroma sensory evaluation kit
• Taste a wide selection of great wines
• Receive a take-home gift bag that includes a Wine Workbook, Tasting Journal and Wine Terms Glossary
• Gain valuable insight into how to read wine labels and pick a good-value drop
• $35 worth of vouchers towards further educational courses & tastings at The Oak Barrel
• Great as a Christmas gift with personalised Gift Certificates available!

"Delicious drop that. Good, strong, chewy texture. Um…pungent, reddy hues. Aromatic ferments of the leaf, I believe…yes…certainly grapes of the young variety…or old. Yep…it's definitely a red wine."

Sound familiar? Well we've got a newsflash - you're not fooling anyone! Instead of trying to bluff your way through a wine tasting session, consider today's Deal your opportunity to go to school - so the next time a bottle is opened you'll be well-equipped to impress your friends and family with your know-how.

All you need is $69 and you'll be ready to attend a two and a half hour Wine Education Course run by one of The Oak Barrel's experienced wine experts. You'll learn about the history of wine and how to smell and taste wines - including a unique aroma sensory evaluation experience. Be introduced to different grape varieties, discover the exploration of New World and Old World wine regions and attain valuable insight as to how to read wine label and pick a good value drop. A basic intro into food and wine matching and advice on wine storage and cellaring might just start up a new passion. The course is great for people who love wine and want to learn a little more!

The Oak Barrel has a convenient CBD location on Elizabeth Street and course sizes are limited, so you'll receive plenty of attention. You'll be able to taste a selection of wines and receive a Take-home gift bag with a Wine Workbook, Tasting Journal and Wine Terms Glossary so you can continue your wine education at home. With a $25 voucher to put towards further educational courses at The Oak Barrel, and a further $10 to put towards the next tasting event of your choice you can't go wrong with this Deal!

This Deal is also great as a Christmas gift for any would-be aficionado with personalised Gift Certificates available!

Confirmed Dates of Course - from 6:00pm to 8:30pm
January: 10th, 11th, 12th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 24th, 25th, 31st
February: 1st, 2nd, 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd
March: 6th, 7th
More dates will be released if required

The Oak Barrel is one of Australia's oldest bottle shops. Since being founded in 1956, the Oak Barrel has prided itself on exceeding customer expectations through providing an amazing range of wine, craft beer and spirits, superior information, as well as excellence in customer service.

Today the Oak Barrel is owned by wine enthusiast Dr Paul Downie.  He has built a team that shares his passion and knowledge, providing the best possible experience to their customers. There have been extensive renovations made to the store, including a Cellar Room for hosting tastings and masterclasses, and the Vault - a temperature and humidity controlled room where fine back-vintage and rare wine gems are held.

One of the most appealing qualities of independent bottle shops is their access to boutique wines and spirits that are not available in larger shops. This unique offering and the staff's ability to recognise incredible wines, whiskies, spirits and beers is what makes The Oak Barrel one of Australia's premier stores.

Terms & Conditions

• Bookings essential. Please email laura@frolicevents.com.au to organise. 
• Valid from: 10th January 2012
• Bookings are subject to availability so book in early to avoid disappointment
• Unlimited vouchers may be purchased
• Limit of 1 voucher per person, per visit
• Must be 18+ to participate
• $25 and $10 vouchers valid until: 30th June 2012
• Not valid in conjunction with any other offer
• No partial redemption or refunds
• Must book by: 22nd February 2012
• Valid until: 7th March 2012

Weekend Notes

Discover many fun and interesting activities and events in Sydney using WeekendNotes.

A Taste of Tassie - Tasmania Unbottled

The Oak Barrel is partnering with Tasmania Unbottled to conduct a preview Tasmanian wine tasting on Saturday 10 September, from 1 – 3pm.

Featuring:

• Native Point - 2009 Pinot Noir & 2010 Pinot Gris
• Bream Creek - 2008 Riesling & 2009 Pinot Noir
• Domaine A – 2007 Pinot Noir
• Stoney Vineyard - 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
• Glaetzer-Dixon - 2010 Avance Pinot and 2009 Mon Pere Shiraz
• Holm Oak – 2009 Riesling – 2009 Pinot Noir
• Moorilla - 2010 Praxis Pinot Noir &  2010 Muse Sauvignon Blanc
• Goaty Hill – 2010 Riesling & 2010 Pinot Noir

The island state of Tasmania is rapidly increasing its global reputation for crafting some of Australia’s best Sparkling and Pinot Noir wines, not to mention stunning Chardonnay and Riesling.

Come and discover the Taste of Tassie, and have your chance to take part in this preview of the premier annual roadshow of Tasmanian wine.  Sign up for the Taste of Terroirs Masterclass hosted by sommelier, Luke Campbell from Vinifed, hear about the subtle nuances between some of Tasmania’s world renowned regions and learn to tell the difference in wines from the North to the South of our own Apple Isle.

Date: Saturday September 10th
Time: 1.00 – 4.00pm (Masterclass at 2pm)
Where: The Oak Barrel Cellar Room
Price: $10 Members & Guests, Masterclass $10 per person.
Bookings: 02 9264 3022 or via email at events@oakbarrel.com.au

Dinner with the Winemakers

The Oak Barrel is excited to invite you to the 2011 Dinner with the Winemakers on Thursday 8th September.

Hosting the dinner will be two of Australia’s top winemakers and heads of the NSW & VIC Wine Industry Associations, David Lowe & Chris Pfeiffer.  They both have very impressive biographies (attached below) and a passion for winemaking which is hard to ignore.

Each winemaker will personally present their icon wines and accompanying these first class wines will be an elegant sit down, 3 course dinner hosted by our guests in the Cellar Room.    Take the opportunity to get to know the team at the Oak Barrel a little better, and have the chance to get up close and personal and engage with two of Australia’s Wine Industry leaders.

There is some seriously good wine on the menu, some of which is only available in very limited quantities at the cellar door.  Here is your chance to quiz David & Chris on everything you ever wanted to know about wine from NSW & VIC, and more specifically taste their own releases from Mudgee & Rutherglen.

Last year was a resounding success, an intimate evening between friends, and this year is only going to be better.  Don’t miss out.

LOWE David Lowe Bio

PFEIFFER Chris Pfeiffer Bio

Wine Bracket 1:    Seriously Pink 

Wine Bracket 2:   Pfeiffer Riesling 2011
                                Lowe Louee Nullo Chardonnay 2010

Entrees:  Choose one from the following selection
Lamb medallion on a salad of radicchio & rocket drizzled with basil dressing
Asparagus & Goat Cheese with roasted walnut & balsamic reduction
Ceviche of scallops marinated in lime juice & coconut served with an asian vegetable salad

Wine Bracket 3:     Lowe Louee Pinot Noir 2008

Wine Bracket 4:    Pfeiffer Shiraz 2009
                                   Lowe Reserve Zinfandel 2009

Main Courses: Choose one from the following selection
Grilled beef tenderloin on a potato & onion galette with beef jus served w/ seasonal vegetables
Oven roasted chicken breast with a medley of root vegetables drizzled with rosemary oil
Individual vegetarian lasagna filled with seasonal roasted vegetables. 

Wine Bracket 5:      Lowe Louee Late Picked Riesling 2010

Finished with a fine selection of specialty cheeses

Wine Bracket 6:        Pfeiffer Classic Rutherglen Topaque
                                     Pfeiffer Rare Rutherglen Topaque

Date: Thursday 8th September 2011
Time: 7.30pm
Where: The Oak Barrel Cellar Room
Price: $120 Members, $140 guests
Bookings: 02 9264 3022 or via email at events@oakbarrel.com.au

Explore France Wine Tasting

France is where all the action is happening with Bastille Day and Le Tour De France just around the corner!

The Oak Barrel is getting into le spirit by hosting an 'Explore France' wine tasting. Join them for a casual introduction to the wines and regions of France over two nights (theres lots to cover!).

• Discover the history of French wine
• Learn the key styles and Grape varieties
• Explore the different appellations/regions
• Discover how to read the labels! 

The tasting will be split over two nights with each session covering a number of different regions. You will have the chance to taste examples of the key wine styles and grapes from those regions an a relaxed and informal environment. The evening is designed to give you a base from which to further explore the wines of France. 

Session 1:

• Champagne, The Loire, Burgundy and Alsace

Session 2:

• Provence, Bordeaux, The Rhone, Languedoc and the South West 

When: Tuesdays July 5th and 12th, 2011 - 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Where: Cellar Room Oak Barrel, 152 Elizabeth Street, Sydney
Tickets: Single night tickets $55 for Members / $65 for guests. Both nights $95 for Members and $110 for guests.  
To Book: 02 9264 3022 or email events@oakbarrel.com.au