Of all the social networks out there a dog has to be one of the most effective ways of meeting like-minded people. The other day we were taking our puppy for a walk, she needs lots of walks being a border collie x with either Staffy or quite possibly Great Dane, and maybe a bit of Kelpie! We came across two more mature and subdued creatures, both Schnoodles and their two more mature owners. After the dogs had made their introductions and wrapped leads around everyone’s legs we found ourselves being invited in for a quick drink. It was Saturday night and after six so we said yes. We also wanted to see their house, as it was a Walter Burleigh Griffin design.

The house was remarkable, as was its history – once the home of prominent Australian playwright Betty Roland and her husband Guido Baracchi, one of the founders of the Australian Communist Party. When they weren’t getting raided by the police they would invite friends over for a play reading. Sounded so very civilised.

We sat down with their subdued dogs and our rather excited one and chatted about the neighbourhood history while we drank a lively Italian Pinot Grigio by Pasqua. I don’t remember the vintage but it was the perfect drop for an autumn evening; fresh, apples and mineral, crisp and dry. In no time the bottle was empty and we were saying we’d better be going. Then another bottle arrived, this time a French Sauvignon Blanc from, I think, Provence. It was a good follow up having a bit more alcohol and flavour. It was unlike NZ Sauvignon, with a taste of gooseberry and a hint of cat pee. I wish I could remember what it was. I wouldn’t have bought either, but I think I will and I suspect they are both under $20 – the Communist ideals remain.

I’ve been spending too much time at work lately, which means I’ve been sampling the odd after-hours wine. The best is another wine I’d never usually buy, but now I’m thinking I should. It’s a Hunter Chardonnay and I’m not normally a fan of Hunter Chardonnays, namely Scarborough, the 2014, Yellow Label.

It says it’s 13.5% but it feels more powerful than that. It’s a rich style, golden yellow colour with some well-handled oak, lemony and buttery. Very much the Hunter style but I have to say for a bit over $20 you get a lot of wine for your money.

Other people’s wine is a bit of a catch-all so I’ll add another; Louis Roederer Brut Premier ($67 – $75). Again, I wouldn’t normally buy this, preferring Billecart-Salmon or Taittinger (a lot less, at $50) but damn it was good. Dan Murphy’s says “Powerful and complex, Roederer NV is taught and linear but with much generosity of flavour with a quite sublime length of flavour.”

‘Linear’ sounds a bit insulting, but the flavour was full and kept on going. Until it was all gone.

I’ve never had Louis Roederer Cristal, the choice of Russian gangsters, American rappers and Premier League footballers. It must be very special if the basic NV Brut is that good. Hopefully one day I’ll be invited to share a glass.