How to be selected for the decanted wine in the SYD (and possibly MEL) F lounge?

[simongr]

[serious tone]

Hi all

I was just wondering if anyone knew what the "criteria" are for being selected for a drop of red from the decanter that sits on the bar in the SYD F lounge (I assume there is a similar device in MEL)?

I have heard that they have had Hill of Grace in the decanter - so it is obviously where they put their special wines.

I have been offered wine from the decanter and it was exceptional - of course I have no recollection of the name or variety of the wine - I just recall it being nice.

However even though I do tend to move to red (wine sequence in the F lounge is generally: Champers, [possible second champers], sauvignon blanc (with entree - often the squid), Shirazy type red [with rangers steak] and desert wine with the cheese board - not that I am a creature of habit...) I don't often get to try "the good stuff" and wondered if there was a trick.

It is obviously not status/cabin driven as I have been offered the good stuff as a standard WP, not been offered when in QF F and have been offered as a P1 in J.

[/serious tone]

The reason for the serious tone "tags" is that I didnt want this to descend into another debate about WP vs P1 and entitlements as the past few days have been a bit tiresome in relation to that topic.

 

[defurax]

If it is the REAL good stuff, maybe they just wait a couple hours for the decantation to be completed before serving it... so maybe it is not status related but simply relates to how long you spend in the lounge!

 

[robd]

Have you tried asking for it?

 

[simongr]

Have you tried asking for it?

No - and maybe I should...

 

[Canny man]

I simply asked what's in there? and was given a glass.
It was a Yarra Yering that day....

 

[freepyjamas]

shhhhh......

is/was one of the last great unknown perks of the F-lounge

 

[samh004]

I simply asked what's in there? and was given a glass.
It was a Yarra Yering that day....

As with this comment, perhaps it just depends what they've got lying around.

Alternatively, maybe they decant good stuff when someone famous or high value is travelling through, and I don't mean in a CL/P1 way, but either a Qantas exec or maybe a movie star. If you're also there and there's spare, as there's always bound to be, then you're in luck to also try the good stuff.

I recall a couple years ago when I was on an ANZAC Run, I asked to sample the list and was given all 6 listed wines and a 7th from the back, but none were in the decanter, and it's such a long time ago I forget if there was anything in it now, or if it was even there.

 

[Ewing]

I usually order my drinks from the bar directly, and after my glass of champagne (always my first beverage) I'll often ask if they have anything new that they'd recommend trying.

That's how I found out about the Bollinger Rosé, the Delamotte (before its appearance on the menu) and I've also tried a few great reds from the decanter (including various Henschke wines, but have yet to come across Hill of Grace).

 

[medhead]

I just noted the wine and asked for a glass of that wine with lunch, last time I was in SYD F lounge.


Sent from the Throne

 

[Sprucegoose]

the times i have had it were as a garden variety WP, hence open to all in other words, not wanting to reignite old wounds caused by others.....and it was a Henschke.

I wasn't aware they served HofG. However if they were, it wont be for too long.

 

[simongr]

My recollection is that the bar steward said "Would you like to try [insert name of wine of have forgotten]? It is a shame you weren't here yesterday as we had HofG"

 

[medhead]

The one I had was Rockford basket press Shiraz.


Sent from the Throne

 

[esquire]

Had a lovely glass or two of a well-vintaged Mount Mary Quintet in SYD during one visit

 

[NM]

It may just be a matter of asking "What else do you have ?"

 

[JessicaTam]

Last time I was in the SYD F lounge I just asked if they had anything interesting open, as NM said. I was offered the decanter, which was a Petaluma Coonawarra Cab/Sauv from memory. (Although by then the memory may have been a bit wobbly). They don't try to hide it, rather just don't offer it to everyone.

Perhaps we need a 'What's in the decanter today' thread? I will be happy to offer my discovery in a couple of weeks.

 

[samh004]

Perhaps we need a 'What's in the decanter today' thread? I will be happy to offer my discovery in a couple of weeks.

That's not a bad idea, keep a log of what goes in, or rather comes out. A pattern might emerge

 

[JessicaTam]

That's not a bad idea, keep a log of what goes in, or rather comes out. A pattern might emerge

Who-ever is there next gets to start us off...

 

[JetLagged]

Who-ever is there next gets to start us off...

I'd be only too happy to offer - but this year have done next to squiggly-dicks worth of flying - next years is different, thaksfully - suffering from Flounge deprivation!

 

[simongr]

As I am there tomorrow there might have been an ulterior motive for this thread...

 

[coolumbla]

Will feed back next week if I can get past the champagne tasting