Moodys Wines

Bang go the apples!

tony — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:23:50 +0000

I was sitting in my home office this morning at quarter to seven and a white cloud seemed to flash past the window. I dashed out to the balcony and saw the Dawn Patrol of 612 Marauder Squadron of Cockatoos busily stripping my tree of immature apples. There were at least 15 of them and in 15 minutes had stripped the fruit to halfway down the tree. Thank goodness it was only the “Delicious” tree, and that my two Pink Lady TM trees have already been netted!

Given the slow progress of the grapes, it will be another month before I have to net them – not cockatoos, but starlings and currawongs, wearing bullet proof vests, as I know from experience.

A cold spring and a late season

tony — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:15:37 +0000

: 2012 sav blanc in January

Orange did not really warm up to a spring until late October, and rains continued into November and December. So, although I have a good size crop of both Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc, the grapes are about three weeks behind where they should be in size. Let us just hope for a warm, balmy April and a late winter!!! (Was that a pig that just flew past?)

Food Week 2012 at Moody’s

tony — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:06:29 +0000

Moody’s Wines will again be offering a tasty plate of Mediterranean food and a glass of wine, or two, during Food Week 2012, in Orange. This will be the weekend after Easter, Saturday 14 April and Sunday 15 April, between 11am and 4pm, at the cellar door at 69 Stagecoach Road, which is off the Icely road, just 9km from Orange.

Booking would be helpful, but is not necessary, on 02 6365 9117

Body Painting – Tim Gratton

tony — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 09:20:41 +0000

Another artist who I was lucky to meet was Tim Gratton, who probably was the first artist to use the body painting medium over 20 years ago. Sadly, I am dumb enough not to have recognised him in his own right, but noticed his very Manchester accent, and challenged him as a Birkenhead native. Tim and Suzy, after living in Sydney, have now moved up to Stuart Town, whence Tim will carry on his productions and teaching.

You can learn more about Tim if you Google him, and admire some of the amazing works he has created. By their very nature, painted bodies last only a few minutes until the next shower! So you have to admire the images!

Sculpture at Jayes Gallery

tony — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 08:55:56 +0000

On Sunday 25 October I was invited out to Jayes Gallery at Molong to offer my wines for tasting to the visitors to their new exhibition:

“The Third Dimension”, a fine collection of sculptures in stone and metal, tastefully laid out in their quiet courtyard, where you can sit and enjoy a coffee, or tea, and contemplate the forms in front of you.

Your Life is more pleasant with WINE

tony — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 09:06:19 +0000

Congratulations Kate!

tony — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 21:29:33 +0000

Kate Bracks of Orange! The new Masterchef! Well done Kate! You can now teach us all how to make a snowman out of carrots and meringue. We are all very proud of you, just think what you have done for Orange, and your family!

Moody’s “Rosé de Fontenay” in Provence

tony — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 23:43:26 +0000

I sent two bottles of my Rosé to my family in Provence. They have lined them up with the other drinks they were going to enjoy at midday!

2011 Sauvignon Blanc

tony — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 05:15:15 +0000

has been bottled and is now on sale. Once again it is in half bottles, because of the reduced harvest due to the rainy season. Like its predecessor, the 2010 Sauvignon, it has a fresh taste,with a hint of fruitiness, and it should easily take up the role that the 2010 has played at the cellar door, with only 3 cases of that left. There are 62 cases of the 2011.

Huon Pine table

tony — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 02:48:02 +0000

In November I went down to Tasmania, where son Robert is working, and we made a trip down the west coast, through the Tarkine to Strahan. Souvenir shops there were selling huon pine chopping boards and salad bowls for $200+, but we discovered the timber offcut shop run by Tasmanian Special Timbers, and the very helpful Dianne Coon. She sold us a slab big enough for a table top and pieces that we could fashion legs and runners from – all for $250!

When I got them back to Orange, my chippie friend, Chinner, turned them all into this beautiful table, from which I can serve my wine tastings. The small of the huon is very fragrant.