Rooster One Day, feather duster etc.

He cut a rather forlorn figure on Wednesday morning standing quietly in a corner. Former premier Barry O'Farrel attended the gala opening of the spanking brand new Woolworths store in snooty Double Bay. And what a store it is, totally unrecognisable from the ghastly and gloomy tin shed style premises that were once there.
 It's bound to become a social meeting spot with an amazing selection of stores and delicacies.
 The vintner Dan Murphys, part of the complex was also celebrating and the Shuttle dropped in for a morning Bollinger, as one does.                            
Murphy's was also serving 2003 Grange Hermitage which retails for a $1000 a bottle. Sadly Barry had nary a nip of this fine offering. Perhaps not to his taste. After all it was less than 2 months ago O'Farrell resigned after telling the ICAC he had never received a '59 bottle of Grange valued at $3000. Such is life.

Bolly Dinner Date

Sunday in Melbourne is not to be missed. One of France's best exports the ever so elegant Guy de Rivoire (left) is hosting a bash for another famous French export- Bollinger champagne. It's the 50th anniversary of the Ultimate Cuvee Bollinger R.D launch.
Guests at the black tie bash will join a special tasting through the exquisite Bollinger champagnes expertly matched with cuisine in a special champagne salon at the event. But where we hear you ask ?. Well the location is a secret but it will be held in a palatial penthouse just of Collins Street in Melbourne with limos busing the guests to the bash. We can't wait.

Gold Everywhere

radiant : Sonia Kruger

UK cricketing captain David Gower may think Australian cricket fans are devoid of culture but the Aussie cricketers sure have damned fine luggage. That was evident at this week's 2013 Gold Ball where one of the auction items was a splendorous set of Louis Vuitton luggage created for cricket captain Michael Clarke.
The Louis Vuitton luggage was just one of the many donated items along with Paspaley Pearls and world airline trips that saw around one million dollars being raised for the Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick.
The Gold Ball brought out 350 of the good and great including former prime minister Paul Keating and captains of industry including the new slimline 'Aussie John' Symonds and new girlfriend Amber Keating , PM Paul's former daughter-in-law and a newly svelte Joe Hockey MP.
 Also there was Nine Network boss Jeff Browne and partner Rhonda Wyllie. Nine will be hosting the Gold Telethon this Queen's Birthday Holiday and Nicole Kidman, the hospital's patron has kicked in $100,000 to get the ball rolling.

slimmers club : Joe Hockey MP, John Symonds & Amber Kaeting

Glenn & Sarah McGrath

The Tony Assness designed ball room was really quite sensational with what seemed a million candles glittering and with catering by Matt Moran and endless crates of the finest chilled Bollinger. The idea first kicked around by PR gal Skye Leckie and Professor Les White (Chief Paediatrician for NSW Health) 17 years ago has grown to be the must attend social event.

Rhonda Wyllie & Jeff Browne

cute blonde Lea Goodrem &daughter Delta

Professor Les White & Mrs White

Peter Overton & Jessica Rowe

We Love Our Bollinger

When Bollinger began as far back as the 16th century in the Champagne region of France, no-one would have thought that by the 21st century Australia- a nation that didn't even exist then- would become the 3rd largest consumers of the excellent fizz outstripping the USA which languishes at 7th place. With our population at about 23M compared to the USA's 300M that means we certainly appreciate the premium French champagne.



Guy de Rivoire

We learnt this fact and others on Monday evening at the Inglis Stables in Randwick when Bollinger threw a pary hosted by their marketing expert from France, Guy de Rivoire.

 The occasion was a shindig to try out 3 excellent vintages and Monsieur Rivoire had flown in from the centre of the Champagne district , Reim for 4 day visit.



Inglis Stables

One bit of good news-the rumours that Inglis will be moving their world famous stables that host the top horse breeders and owners who fly in from all over the world -to Windsor in the outer suburbs are a furphy and they are staying put where they are. Another piece of NSW history saved from  property developers.

Even better news was that Mr Rivoire informed us that Bollinger will be promoting a whole lot more in one of their most important markets. We intend to help them out !

As Lily Bollinger said of her tipple when she took over management of the vineyards in the 1940's :

"I drink it when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise, I never touch it—unless I’m thirsty."

An excellent motto to live by !